What does it really mean to network as a giver and not a taker? Elena Raileanu, a senior people leader and HR professional, guest lecturer at Northeastern University and former journalist, explains why relationships, not connection counts, carry a career.Host Henry Clavo and Elena cover how job seekers really land jobs, how to stand out at a career fair, how to use AI without losing your own voice, what to do when networking feels fake, and a simple six-week habit that keeps work relationships alive after you leave a job.In this episode:- Giver, not a taker: help when you can, never keep score, keep healthy boundaries- Secret keepers, matchers and givers: how Elena's students land jobs, and why givers end up happiest- Career fairs: be the 1% who treats the recruiter like a person- Five things to remember about everyone you meet- Using AI without losing your voice: Barbara Minto's pyramid principle- When networking feels fake: be interested, not interesting- Reputation, backdoor references and why gossip costs you- Layoffs and the six-week check-in that turns coworkers into friendsAbout the guestElena Raileanu is Vice President, Human Resources at Beyond (Beyond Mission Capable Solutions). A senior people leader and HR professional, she has experience across human resources, talent acquisition, organizational development and recruiting. She is a guest lecturer at Northeastern University, where she coaches students on networking, interviewing, job search and personal branding; a board member with Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries; and a co-ambassador for Transform in Boston. She began her career as a journalist and has worked at companies including Liberty Mutual, Amazon and Citizens Bank.Find Elena: Elena Raileanu on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-raileanu).Watch and listen to more episodes at https://orlandoinsightspodcast.com, on YouTube and on Spotify.The Orlando Insights Podcast is brought to you by Orlando Insight Group, data and AI advisory for CIOs and Chief Data Officers: AI Readiness Assessment, Data Governance & AI Foundations Sprint, and Fractional Chief Data & AI Officer. Book a free 30-minute AI readiness consult: https://calendar.app.google/xkJqUsFzrHAVkY4W7https://orlandoinsightgroup.comChapters0:00 Cold open0:19 Orlando Insights Podcast intro0:32 Welcome, Elena Raileanu2:19 Giver, not a taker: what it means to her4:08 Why your network matters most at your lowest6:18 Secret keepers, matchers and givers: who lands jobs8:35 Competitors who collaborate: the coffee shop study10:31 Why you should show up when you are invited11:39 Career fairs: be the 1% who treats recruiters like people14:17 Don't put decision makers on a pedestal16:17 Teaching at Northeastern: are students ready?17:28 Why names matter more than your code18:45 Five things to remember about everyone you meet21:26 AI and finding your own voice23:41 Train your AI: Barbara Minto's pyramid principle27:27 Personal brand vs. real relationships29:27 Turning LinkedIn connections into relationships33:11 "I hate networking, it feels fake"33:56 Everybody has a story: the journalist, therapist and giver hats37:15 Walking into a room where you know no one39:01 20 trusted people vs. 5,000 followers40:02 Reputation, backdoor references and gossip42:15 Layoffs and the six-week rule for staying in touch46:54 From child radio host to Boston: Elena's story50:18 Transform Boston and the January 9 event52:03 Where to find Elena54:44 Outro#Networking #CareerAdvice #HumanResources #Leadership #OrlandoInsightsPodcast