My proven process begins even before you decide to hire me. It’s important that you’re comfortable with me. We begin with a complimentary discussion where I get to know you. I want to understand your history and experience, and where you want to go. We don’t want to repeat what you’ve already done. From there I’ll put together a proposal of individualized services which includes services I offer, an outline of our work plan, anticipated timeline, expected deliverables, what I expect of you, what you should expect of me, and how much it will cost.
Once you decide you’d like to work with me, the first step is for me to collect relevant information such as previous résumés, your LinkedIn profile, and any assessments like STRONG and DiSC. I create detailed and individualized questions to elicit the greatest amount of information about you. Then we have a 90-minute recorded interview via Zoom. I don’t give you the questionnaire to fill out. I want to hear your story in your words and have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions based on your answers.
After that, we can rewrite your résumé, update your LinkedIn profile, and/or discuss how to network more efficiently. These are some of the services I offer.
A résumé rewrite includes me sending you a draft to review and determine if you feel comfortable with the direction I’m going in.
With a LinkedIn profile review, I provide you content followed by LinkedIn training sessions, such as how to update your résumé. I don’t change your profile directly due to LinkedIn guidelines and internet protocol constraints.
Your individual deliverables and timeline will determine how many calls we have.
I will check in with you weekly even if we don’t have a scheduled call to see if you have challenges completing certain tasks we’ve discussed.
We work through the task list and timeline outlined in your proposal. The amount of time we spend together depends on what we agreed to accomplish. If it’s Career Road Mapping, we have more conversations.
The Length of the Process
Depending on your individual service needs, the process typically lasts 21 to 30 business days. This allows for some back and forth in editing, etc. If you’ve purchased Career Road Mapping, we might extend the timing. Your schedule may require us to slow down or pause. We will make every effort for continued forward movement even if “life happens”.
Results
Upon completion of our work together, you will have high quality branded documents, such as a résumé, LinkedIn content, cover letter, and responses to interview questions. You will also have a focused target in the market, so you can be successful in achieving more positive responses in the market. You’ll have new confidence going after what you want.
TAILORED 1:1 SERVICES
Students and Recent Graduates
As a student or recent graduate, you may not know exactly what you’re targeting in the job market.
Without an objective and a target, being able to produce documentation like résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, can be very difficult. My first encounter with you involves clarifying your target or focus. This is usually done through assessments. You might provide me with a skill or job assessment done at your college. In addition to using those, I may ask you to complete others that are occupationally focused such as the Strong Interest Inventory.
Steps of the Process
We want to be really clear about what you’re looking to do. We have an intake conference call to gather information on your background, experience, motivations; all the things that help us put together the right brand for a new entrant into the marketplace. Many times, we concentrate on what you’ve done that makes you suited for your new goal. Do you have the skills and foundation to move into your desired career area?
I ask you to do research on job descriptions and positions you want to apply for. This can encompass the types of jobs, work activities, and companies where you want to work. This gives me more clarity around what resonates for you.
Students and recent graduates often aren’t aware of how to be “found” in the market, whether it’s through an Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) system or by a human reader. You might not understand what networking really means in a career perspective. Unfortunately, many students are growing up in a technology era that says you swipe left or right, and that’s how you connect with people. That’s not what we do in the job market. I make sure you understand what the process is and give you confidence to effectively manage the process.
Results
The results you can expect depend upon and vary based on the services you purchase with me; results center around how those services work within the market.
If you’re focused on résumé services, we discuss how the résumé gets used. If networking is your target, we talk about determining whom to connect with and where you should connect. If you’re doing any interviewing, we’ll explore how to interview effectively. In today’s marketplace, interviewing is largely occurring virtually and you must consider how you present yourself in that medium. We’ll conduct recorded mock interviews that we dissect and debrief afterward.
I make sure you understand the components of the process, so when I create a customized package, you know why I’m suggesting what I propose. Most clients select a complete service package including networking and interviewing, allowing the opportunity to work through all aspects of the job search process.
When you’ve comfortably completed all services, you’ll have the tools you need to confidently and independently enter the marketplace.
Although I don’t guarantee you’re going to get interviews or the job as I’m not the one applying – but will I work with you until you feel at ease that you have what you need to be competent in the marketplace.
Active Duty Service Members & Veterans
Similar to other jobseekers, active duty military and veterans often need assistance clarifying their job search focus. Unique to this group, however, is transition into the civilian sector isn’t always easy and requires special consideration. Because military jobs are categorized under the Military Occupations Specialty (MOS) system, that is where we’ll begin. We evaluate what your current (or previous) MOS encompasses and how that plays into what you want to do in the future – if at all. We look at the key components of those roles and how you would use those in the civilian world. Some MOS don’t translate into a civilian sector job (e.g. high caliber sniper). In those cases, we’ll consider the entirety of your skills in combination with your career goals. Much of our time together is spent opening up the aperture on what’s possible for you.
Steps of the Process
The first thing we must do is narrow your focus and zero in on where you want to go. We rely on O*NET Online a great deal because it is a military crosswalk that allows you to see how your MOS might translate to the civilian sector. Because I understand the military hierarchy and requirements, I can suggest how those skills focus into other areas. Your discoveries may differ from others, given that you may not have spent time and introspection on your motivators and your values beyond your military MOS and role. We may need to translate your values and personal commitments into a language better understood in the civilian sector.
After clarifying your focus, we proceed to an exploratory conference call. This helps me understand what you’ve done and quantify your accomplishments. Many military personnel find this challenging as it can be difficult to quantify the functions of your MOS into a civilian résumé. This is where I help you see the bigger picture and focus on transferable skills.
Next, we can begin writing your résumé and updating your LinkedIn profile. After that, we address interviewing. We will role-playing mock interviews to help you understand what questions will be asked and why. We’ll pay special attention to answering questions in a direct way to increase being perceived as assertive rather than aggressive.
Along with interviewing, we’ll focus on networking. This helps you integrate into the civilian sector by gaining awareness about whom to connect with, where you can find the best people to connect with, and how to get your application materials to the right places.
Another unique consideration provided to veterans is to ensure you understand what online resources are available to you for finding jobs. Many companies have veteran and military-focused recruiting efforts. I can show you how to use those to your advantage. LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for veterans and active duty military. I’ll teach you how to use LinkedIn and Google search terms to find the resources and connections that are right for you.
Results
Our tour together is complete when you are comfortable that you have what you need to go into the market with confidence. I don’t guarantee an interview or a job; I just make sure you have the resources to enter the market. You have to feel 100% satisfied that you have what you need. We may tack on additional conference calls and touch points until you’re at that point.
Mid Level Management
Generally, there are two types of mid-level managers seeking job search support:
You’re looking to accelerate your career, build greater wealth, establish a higher title, or take on more responsibility. The discovery factor typically as involved, but the process of our work together stays much the same as for other job seekers. We begin with an intake call to understand objectives and the kinds of roles you want to go after. Next, we focus on résumé writing, updating LinkedIn and writing cover letters. Most mid-level managers have some understanding of LinkedIn, so deep discussion of LinkedIn and networking isn’t typically necessary. Sometimes you just don’t have the time to put together your brand or market package. I help you get that done quickly.
Pivoting managers who are looking to transfer their skills into something different and unique. There will be some discovery around what that looks like, but most time you’re much clearer on where you want to go. We concentrate on how to translate what you’ve already done into the roles you desire. This will be reflected when we write your résumé and update your LinkedIn. You’ll be asked to do more research on the translation of your skills and capabilities of the positions you’re seeking.
Sometimes mid-level managers are simply looking to improve their standing within their current company. In these cases, the discovery portion of the process is not as in-depth. We don’t need to spend as much time evaluating where you want to go so we devote time to ensuring your brand image is up to speed in LinkedIn. We typically will do an updated résumé just in case you need it internally, or if you want to use it externally.
Results
Our collaboration is complete when you are comfortable that you have what you need to go into the market or navigate the hiring process within your industry/current employer with confidence. I don’t guarantee an interview or a job; I just make sure you have the resources to enter the market. You have to feel 100% satisfied that you have what you need. We may tack on additional conference calls and touch points until you’re at that point.
Senior Level Management
For senior level management, you might be looking to make your last career move. Your motivations may differ from earlier in your career. Maybe you’re seeking a different degree of responsibility. Building a career or reputation in your company may no longer be a top priority – you’ve already done that. You may not need to be as concerned with the compensation package. Perhaps you want to focus on making an impact or using your talents in a way that feels more useful in the marketplace. You may even be transitioning due to COVID-19 or for other personal reasons.
Some senior executives have been in the market for a considerable time and haven’t had to look for a job in quite some time. For this reason, they find the technology being commonly employed for job searches is new. They need to get acclimated to the way the market works, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), online networking methods, video interviewing and other current practices.
Steps of the Process
My process of working with senior level management has some marked differences from other job seekers.
Because you are likely looking towards the twilight of your career with retirement on the not-so-distant horizon, this stage of your career is about telling your story differently. Your successful work history attests to your experience, focus, value, and motivations. The discovery portion of the process won’t focus on roles, jobs, or opportunities. Instead, we’ll target how to brand you so potential employers won’t perceive you as overqualified or too expensive. We’ll craft a method for you to enter the market in a way that gets you what you need in balance with what the market can understand.
Your résumé looks a little different because you have much more experience than more novice job seekers. The challenge we’ll tackle is getting your materials into the market succinctly and with maximum impact. Typically, this will mean developing an Executive Bio. Because Senior Level Executives are working in high level company roles or board memberships, an Executive Bio is more appropriate and standard than for other management level positions.
Your LinkedIn profile is still important, but we’ll want a different focus. You may not have as great a need to connect with people if you already have a large and strong network. We will want to use your LinkedIn profile to advertise a more dynamic skill set than you had in the past and bolster your Executive Bio.
Ideally, the networking component of the process may not carry as much import if you already have a strong history of personal and professional connections. We’ll address this on an individual basis.
Results
At the end of our consulting process, you will feel confident re-entering the market with your up-to-date documents, increased awareness of modern market practices, and renewed vision of career possibilities. As a result, you will be 100% satisfied with the documents, process and clarity you’ve received.