WorkParty

Beyond the Application: Building a Personal + Employer Brand That Wins

Jaclyn Johnson, Marina Middleton

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0:00 | 24:32

She went from red carpet interviews and cruise lines to luxury watches, Saks Fifth Avenue, and now leading employer brand activations at one of tech's most recognizable names. Adrien Fleming's career has never followed a straight line — and that's exactly the point. At Zillow, she's completely rethinking how companies attract talent by showing up in culture, building belief, and making recruiting experiential. If you've ever felt like your pivot was a setback, this episode will change the way you see your story.

In this episode, we cover:

🎯 Why the "linear career" is officially outdated — and what to chase instead
💼 The transferable skills Adrien carried from luxury retail and events into tech and HR
😤 The real emotional toll of being laid off and why "panic applying" is a trap
✨ What personal branding actually means inside corporate America (hint: it's your superpower, not your follower count)
🏢 What employer brand is — and why it needs just as much love as consumer branding
🎪 Why recruiting is becoming experiential and how Zillow is meeting talent where it actually lives
🚩 The biggest red flag when companies talk about culture but don't live it
📋 The one thing you can do THIS WEEK to reposition yourself for where you want to go

✨ Tune in to hear how one of employer branding's most creative minds is proving that your skills travel — even when the industry changes.

To learn more about Zillow:
https://www.zillow.com
https://www.instagram.com/zillowgrouplife

Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
www.createcultivate.com
To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
To connect with Marina Middletonhttps://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton