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In this episode of HIRE Calling, host Avetis sits down with Kirk Cartozian, entrepreneur, former teacher, former mayor of Downey, and business leader behind Tequila Mandala and Gaucho Grill. Kirk shares how he navigated unconventional career transitions, built successful businesses, and discovered the qualities that separate high performers from those who remain stuck. Together, they explore career advancement, long-term thinking, entrepreneurship, hiring strategies, self-awareness, and the growing importance of human ingenuity in the age of artificial intelligence. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, hiring manager, or professional considering a career change, this conversation offers practical perspectives on building a meaningful and successful career.
What You'll Learn
• Why unconventional career paths can create unexpected opportunities for professional growth.
• How loyalty, trust, and long-term thinking influence career advancement and leadership success.
• What successful hiring managers look for when evaluating candidates' failures, self-awareness, and authenticity.
• When to make a career pivot versus investing further in your current position.
• The importance of entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and human creativity in an AI-driven economy.
Chapters
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Building an Unconventional Career
03:17 Career Motivation and Personal Ambition
08:54 Taking Risks and Trusting Your Instincts
14:22 When to Make a Career Pivot
20:15 What Separates High Performers
28:34 Long-Term Thinking and Career Growth
39:18 AI, Entrepreneurship, and Future Skills
43:47 Interview Questions That Reveal Character
54:04 Career Advice for Job Seekers
01:00:50 Business Partnerships, Vision, and Success
career growth, career development, career pivots, career advancement, leadership development, Kirk Cartozian, entrepreneurship, career change advice, professional growth, high performance employees, executive leadership, long-term career planning, hiring strategies, job interview tips, self-awareness in leadership, business leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, career success, business partnerships, artificial intelligence, AI in business, human creativity, strategic leadership, risk taking, executive decision making, Tequila Mandala, Gaucho Grill, Avetis, HIRE Calling
#CareerGrowth #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CareerAdvice #CareerChange #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #JobInterviews #ArtificialIntelligence #HIRECalling
Kirk Cartozian Links:
Creators and Guests
Host
Avetis Antaplyan
Avetis is a dynamic CEO, visionary leader, and a Go-Giver with an undeniable track record in the Technology Recruiting and Consulting space. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, advisor, and investor and as the driving force behind HIRECLOUT, a premier Global Tech Recruiting and Consulting company and an Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing company, Avetis continues to shape the future with innovation and generosity. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to giving back make him a true inspiration to all. Join him on a journey of growth and success that leaves a positive impact on businesses worldwide.
What is HIRE Calling?
The biggest decisions shaping your career are often made behind closed doors. Who gets hired? Who gets promoted? Who gets laid off? Who keeps growing while others get left behind?
HIRE CALLING pulls back the curtain on how those decisions are really made. Hosted by Avetis Antaplyan, Founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT, the show brings you candid conversations with executives, hiring leaders, operators, and industry insiders alongside practical insights from decades inside the hiring market.
If you want to get hired, advance your career, lead better, and stay valuable as the world of work changes, HIRE CALLING gives you the perspective usually reserved for the other side of the table.