Beacon Hill’s Kristen Freeman Johnson Featured on SHRM’s All Things Work Podcast
February 4th, 2026
Beacon Hill Associates is proud to share that Kristen Freeman Johnson, Senior Regional Director, was recently featured as a guest on the All Things Work podcast produced by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), one of the world’s largest and most influential organizations within the HR community. This appearance highlights Kristen’s expertise on a global stage and showcases the depth of talent within our organization.
During the 30‑minute interview, Kristen offered insights shaped by her years of recruiting experience and shared practical, real‑world advice for job seekers navigating today’s competitive market. She discussed the increasingly common reality of AI‑driven first‑round screenings and emphasized that candidates must now tweak their resumes for every application to incorporate relevant keywords and avoid being filtered out early in the process.
Kristen also noted that today’s hiring cycles have shifted significantly, with two to three times more applicants per role and interview processes that now often take three to four weeks or longer, compared to earlier years when candidates could move from application to offer in as little as one to two weeks.
Colleagues who listened to the episode praised her authenticity, clarity and expertise, noting how seamlessly she represented Beacon Hill’s commitment to empowering candidates and clients alike.
Reflecting on the session, Kristen stated, “I was honored to be asked to participate in this podcast focused on nailing the interview process from the candidate’s perspective! With how overwhelming the amount of information and advice online can be, I hope this brought some focus to the key ingredients. I look forward to participating in more of SHRM’s podcasts in the future.”
The episode, titled “How to (Actually) Land That Job: Tips from a Seasoned Recruiter,” explores actionable strategies that help candidates stand out, prepare effectively and succeed in their search. Kristen encouraged job seekers to embrace AI as a tool rather than fear it, sharing practical ways candidates can use AI to their advantage, such as refining resumes, preparing mock interview questions, or crafting thoughtful questions for interviewers. She also highlighted the importance of organization throughout the job search, recommending that candidates track their applications carefully, stay responsive and ensure that their LinkedIn profiles align with their resumes.
Kristen also outlined what she believes sets standout candidates apart, including being well-prepared with elevator pitches, having five or more thoughtful questions ready for interviewers, presenting themselves professionally in both virtual and in‑person settings and sending personalized thank‑you notes within 24 hours.
A Moment of Pride for the Beacon Hill Community
Kristen’s appearance underscores the expertise our employees bring to the HR and recruiting landscape every day. Her blend of market knowledge, practical strategy and thoughtful guidance reflects the work Beacon Hill is known for and reinforces the trust that clients and candidates place in our teams. We are thrilled to see her knowledge recognized by an organization as respected and far-reaching as SHRM and look forward to celebrating additional thought leadership moments across Beacon Hill in the future.
“Kristen Freeman Johnson brings rare, real-world perspective to today’s job market,” stated Rebecca Wright, Senior Regional Vice President of Beacon Hill Associates. “As a regional leader across the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic, she understands how shifting workplace dynamics affect job seekers—and offers the kind of advice people actually need.”
Please join us in congratulating Kristen on this exciting and well‑deserved recognition.
About Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a leading nationwide provider of staffing and consulting solutions delivered by our collective of 1,400+ of the industry’s foremost specialty practitioners. Job seekers and companies seeking to augment their staff receive white-glove service from our industry-focused divisions: Beacon Hill Associates, Beacon Hill Digital & Creative, Beacon Hill Financial, Beacon Hill Government Services, Beacon Hill HR, Beacon Hill Legal, Beacon Hill Life Sciences, Beacon Hill National Security, Beacon Hill Technologies and OneBeacon.
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Beacon Hill’s niche brands provide direct hire, executive search, contract staffing, contract consulting, contract-to-hire, and MSP/VMS and RPO solutions to emerging growth companies and the Fortune 500 across multiple market sectors and all industries. In 2025, Beacon Hill outpaced the market’s growth with revenues over $1 billion.