What if the reason your job search isn’t working has nothing to do with your experience and everything to do with how you’re showing up? In this episode, I sit back down with Zach Sanford to unpack a powerful shift most Customer Success professionals completely overlook… treating your job search like a CS role.

We break down exactly how to demonstrate your CSM skills at every stage of the process—from discovery-driven interviews and stakeholder management, to value-based storytelling, strategic outreach, and even negotiation. You’ll hear tangible examples of what “walking the walk” actually sounds like in interviews, how to tier your job search like a book of business, and why small moments of delight (like thank-you notes) can make or break an offer. This is less about saying you’re a great CSM and more about proving it in real time.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a clearer strategy, more confidence, and a completely different way to approach your job search—one that de-risks you as a candidate and positions you as the safest hire in the room. If you’re ready to stop applying harder and start showing up smarter, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:46 – Why Customer Success Skills Give You a Unique Edge in the Job Search

2:26 – How “Being a CSM” During Your Job Search Proves You Can Do the Job

3:21 – Demonstrating (Not Just Talking About) Your CS Skills in Interviews

5:26 – What “De-risking” Yourself for Hiring Managers Looks Like

8:08 – Managing Your Job Search Like a CSM Manages a Book of Business

13:01 – Leveling Up Your Interview Game with Context, Curiosity, and Tying Insights Together

20:55 – Why Deep Research and Tailored Outreach Set CSMs Apart

21:47 – The Power of Negotiation and Value Selling in CS Job Offers

27:16 – How Small Gestures (Like Thank You Notes) Can Get You Hired

30:21 – Why Being Intentional Wins In CS Job Search

FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume

🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself

🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

CONNECT WITH ME:

❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/

💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode106

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New episodes drop every Wednesday!

Mentioned in this episode:

We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report