Summary

In this episode of the Black Corporate Life podcast, host James Frison welcomes David Edgerton Jr., founder of the DEJ Group, an executive search firm dedicated to connecting diverse talent with inclusive companies. David shares his extensive career journey from engineering and IT roles to becoming a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. He discusses the importance of networking and entrepreneurship, the role of AI in job searching, and how to transition between various domains within the corporate world. David also provides valuable insights into the executive recruiting process and underscores the significance of maintaining side hustles for personal and professional growth. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the necessity of mindset, skillset, and toolset for career success, offering practical advice for professionals at all stages of their career.

Takeaways

Networking is about being a resource to others and offering value before expecting anything in return.
Executive recruiting involves retained searches, where a firm is exclusively hired to handle a search, and contingent searches, where multiple firms compete to bring a candidate.
David's career journey showcases the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities.
Transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship requires resilience and leveraging one's network. Executive recruiters look for candidates with leadership experience and functional backgrounds relevant to the role.
Mindset, skillset, and toolset are important for career development.
Artificial intelligence can be used for content creation and research in job searches.
Networking is crucial for getting past resume bots and standing out in the job market.
Having side hustles can develop valuable skills and make a candidate more interesting.
Treating oneself as a personal business can lead to personal and professional growth.

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