Season 11: The Recruiter's Perspective 2025
How RTO Trends Impact the Job Search: Insights from a Senior Talent Leader
Podcast Audio Only:
Remote work changed everything, but return-to-office (RTO) expectations are shifting again, and job seekers are left trying to read between the lines.
In this episode of Control Your Career, career coach Julia Toothacre sits down with Lara Nichols, Senior Managing Director of Global Talent Management at Markel, to unpack the realities of RTO, hybrid work, and international hiring
practices.
If you're navigating today’s job market and wondering what “remote” really means or how to stand out in a sea of applicants, this episode is a must-listen.
Lara brings decades of HR and recruiting experience to the conversation and offers honest, behind-the-scenes insight into what’s happening now across the U.S. and globally.
Global Differences in Hiring Practices
Hiring doesn't look the same everywhere, and if you’re applying internationally or to a global company, you need to know how timelines, norms, and expectations vary.
Lara shares how notice periods can stretch to six months in some countries, how office attendance is culturally different, and why job seekers need to understand regional context before applying.
How Companies Are Handling RTO and Hybrid Work
The episode takes a deep dive into how companies like Markel are approaching RTO with intention, flexibility, and a people-first approach.
Lara explains how a hybrid model was rolled out gradually and why some companies are seeing backlash over stricter office mandates.
If you're evaluating job offers or company culture, this section offers real insight into what to look for (and what might be a red flag).
Resume Gaps, Cover Letters, and What Recruiters Really Care About
One of the most helpful parts of the episode? Lara’s perspective on resumes. She breaks down how recruiters view gaps, what makes a resume stand out, and why most cover letters aren't worth your time.
Julia and Lara also talk about ATS systems, AI screening myths, and how to make your resume work for you not against you.
The Role of AI in Today’s Job Market
AI is everywhere but it's not always doing what you think. Lara explains how her team is using AI to source candidates, rather than screen them out.
This section of the episode offers reassurance and clarity around AI’s role in recruiting, and what it really means for your application.
Smart Strategies for Standing Out
The conversation wraps up with practical advice for job seekers trying to break through the noise. Lara encourages networking over mass applying, being thoughtful about your online presence, and asking the right questions in interviews, especially when evaluating flexibility and hybrid expectations.
This episode is packed with honest, useful insight for anyone job hunting in 2025.
Whether you're returning to the workforce, switching industries, or considering a global move, this episode will give you the clarity (and confidence) to take your next step.
Connect with Lara on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-nichols/
Learn more about careers at Markel here: https://www.markel.com/about-us/careers
NOTE: This episode was NOT sponsored.
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