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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 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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkcartozian https://www.instagram.com/mandalakirk

Most of the decisions that shape your career happen in rooms you’re not in. HIRE CALLING pulls back the curtain on how hiring, promotion, layoffs, leadership, and career-defining decisions are really made. Hosted by Avetis Antaplyan, Founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT, the show brings you candid conversations with executives, hiring leaders, and operators — along with practical insights from more than two decades inside recruiting and hiring. If you want to get hired, get promoted, stay relevant, and understand what’s happening on the other side of the hiring table, subscribe to HIRE CALLING.