CAREER & SPIRITUALITY
Conversations
We investigate where professional and spiritual journeys intertwine.
Episode 53 – Recruiter by Chance, Entrepreneur by Drive, Coach by Choice
With Howard Longstaff
About this episode
What happens when a recruiter who spent decades matching executives to top jobs decides to slow down, “smell the roses,” and dedicate himself to coaching?
In this episode of Career & Spirituality Conversations, I sit down with Howard Longstaff, a former chef, business builder, and international recruiter, who now brings his wisdom to guiding others through career crossroads, imposter syndrome, and the search for clarity.
From his spiritual grounding in nature and fishing, to his candid take on the future of recruitment in the age of AI, Howard shares both practical strategies and heartfelt reflections on life, work, and meaning.
About Howard Longstaff
Howard Longstaff is a retired recruiter turned coach, with over 30 years of experience in building and running recruitment businesses across London, New York, Los Angeles, and Auckland. Today, he focuses on coaching individuals at career and life crossroads, supporting them in navigating imposter syndrome, stress, and uncertainty, while building clarity and resilience. Grounded in a spirituality rooted in nature and presence, Howard also offers specialised CV, Linkedin and interview support through his “CV Surgery” and academy programmes.
Episode Takeaways
- How Howard “fell into” recruitment by accident and built multi-continent businesses
- Why behavior and cultural fit matter as much as skills and experience in hiring
- The impact of AI and ATS systems on today’s job search (and why bullet points can hurt your CV)
- How spirituality and time in nature (gardening, fly-fishing) shaped Howard’s clarity and resilience
- What to consider if you’re wondering whether entrepreneurship is really for you
- Why everyone, from athletes to executives, benefits from a coach
Ready to jump into a career transition?
You’ll love this conversation if you’re looking for clarity, are hesitating between business and employment, and seeking perspective and a grounded wisdom on navigating change.
About Howard
Howard Longstaff has spent over 30 years moving between hotels, technology sales, global recruitment, and business consulting, building and selling multiple companies along the way. After leading recruitment firms with offices across multiple countries, he shifted his focus toward what had always been at the heart of his work: coaching and mentoring people at crossroads. Drawing on decades of interviews, leadership, and business building, he brings a sharp acuity for reading people — not just their skills, but their behaviours, motivations, and untapped potential. Today, his work centres on helping individuals find clarity, balance, and purpose in both career and life.
