# Dan Perez on Executive Search, Career Psychology, and Why Generalists Don't Get Hired

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forward-looking-leadership-6473861/dan-perez-on-executive-search-career-psychology-and-why-generalists-don-t-get-hired.md
Podcast: [Forward-Looking Leadership](https://stenobird.com/podcast/forward-looking-leadership-6473861)
Published: 2025-07-15T13:51:30+00:00
Episode link: https://zencastr.com/z/Ws52ZDkV
Audio file: https://redirect.zencastr.com/r/episode/68765ce24bd143537765bed3/size/75993453/audio-files/64aff89f6e7cce741d1eae8a/f8aa26fe-625e-4e54-b2e3-5ea79caecac9.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/forward-looking-leadership-6473861/episodes/dan-perez-on-executive-search-career-psychology-and-why-generalists-don-t-get-hired
Duration seconds: 3166

## Resource

Dan Perez (linkedin.com/in/perezdan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/perezdan/]), SRI Executive's Director for North America, joins host Dan Freehling (contempusleadership.com [https://lion-lobster-zhsx.squarespace.com/home]) to share insider advice on standing out in the job market, especially for leaders in the international development space. Drawing on 20+ years of experience in executive search and strategy consulting, Perez outlines the three capabilities executive search firms like SRI prioritize: strategic acumen, team leadership, and external partnership-building. He also unpacks how current funding disruptions, especially around USAID, are impacting hiring trends, and how resilient organizations are adapting. Beyond tactics, the conversation explores the emotional side of job searching that Dan is exploring in his forthcoming book, including imposter syndrome and the "paradox of choice." Perez shares practical guidance on storytelling in interviews, writing a 'greatest hits' résumé, and connecting with recruiters effectively. Recommended reading: "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport and the writings of Mark Manson [https://markmanson.net/articles]. Show notes at forwardlookingleadership.com [https://forwardlookingleadership.com/].

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