Services.

The purpose of a resume is to secure you an interview. The purpose of an interview is for recruiters, line managers and executives to gain insight into a) your interpersonal skills, b) your ability to lead/persuade others, c) how you think and tackle issues (your cognitive abilities) and d) your capacity to think laterally/creatively and finally e) whether you’ll add value to their team or organization. The great thing about a story-based resume is that, even before you set foot in the interview, the resume has already given the reader insight into points a→e. That makes the decision to interview you an easy one.

Consider a story-based resume if:

1. You’d like to land more interviews. Hiring managers want to know how a candidate thinks and acts. Normally they have to invest time in interviewing a candidate to get answers to their questions. With a story-based resume, hiring managers glean answers to their fundamental questions up front (by reading your resume!). That makes the decision to interview you an easy one.
2. You’ll perform better in interview. Talking through your stories with your consultant will help you better articulate them when the pressure is on. Many clients find that seeing their stories filtered through the lens of an outside observer and rendered on paper allows them to view their career from the outside→in for the first time.
3. You need a resume that goes on impressing stakeholders once you’ve left the interview. Not everyone who weighs in on hiring decisions will have a chance to meet you in person (and not everyone who interviews you will remember the conversation in detail days or weeks later). The story-based resume looks good, reads well and stands out because it’s built using relatable stories rather than mindless buzzwords or job description excerpts.

Please take a moment to review some before & after resumes from past clients.

Deliverable: The Story-based Resume Service includes a) fresh, story-based content and bullet points and b) the Fresh Resume Design Service (a new resume design and a rethinking of your resume’s layout/structure). Story-based resumes are between 1 and 1.25 pages long with 90% being 1-page long. At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your resume as well as a modular Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: Current resume, 3 job postings (optional) and their completed brainstorming document (optional) → STUDENT/STANDARD resume (1 hour on phone) EXTENDED resume = 3 hours on phone → 1st Resume Draft → Feedback → Subsequent Resume Edits

[raw]Prior to your resume call, you’ll email your consultant a maximum of three job postings that you’re interested in (optional). You’ll also receive and complete a brainstorming document. Depending on the service you choose (STUDENT/STANDARD or EXTENDED) you’ll spend between one and three hours on the phone with your consultant going over your career, education, community involvement and personal interests. After the second call, you’ll receive the first draft of your story-based resume. The first draft will feature fresh story-based content/bullet points, a new design and an improved structure/layout. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your resume will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to complete the brainstorming document or provide feedback on resume drafts. A typical timeline follows.

• Day 1: Client receives the brainstorming document.
• Day 3: Client returns the brainstorming document and shares their current resume and a maximum of three job postings with their consultant (optional).
• Day 4: Resume Call #1 (STUDENT/STANDARD and EXTENDED resume rewrite)
• Days 5-6: Client’s resume is partially drafted based on Call #1
• Day 7: Resume Call #2 (EXTENDED resume rewrite only)
• Day 9: Client receives a first draft of their resume.
• Days 10-13: Client spends some time reviewing the resume – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
• Day 14: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated resume draft based on their feedback.
• Day 15+: Additional rounds of review and resume drafting as necessary. Generally though, resumes are completed after one or two rounds.

You’ll benefit from a fresh resume design if the current incarnation of your resume…

• lists your home address (or features a hotmail.com account),
• is cluttered,
• is confusing,
• uses Times New Roman font everywhere,
• is organized exclusively around the positions you’ve held (i.e. doesn’t contain any topical logic),
• is more than 1.5 pages long,
• features a giant, buzzword-saturated summary at the top,
• includes references (or any mention of them),
• is the brainchild of Clippy, the Microsoft Office Paperclip (you know who you are),
• isn’t landing you any interviews.

Deliverable: The Fresh Resume Design Service includes a) a new resume design, b) a rethinking of your resume’s layout/structure. This service does not include fresh, story-based content/bullet points for your resume (if you need new bullet points, please see our Story-based Resume Service). At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your resume as well as a modular Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: current resume and some information about their reason for requesting a redesign → 45-minute Phone Call → 1st Draft of Resume Redesign → Feedback → Subsequent Edits

[raw]Prior to your call, you’ll email your consultant your current resume and some information about why you’re requesting a redesign. Next, a 45-minute phone call will be set up so that your consultant can ask questions about your current resume and work history. After the call, you’ll receive the first draft of your redesigned resume. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your bullet points will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to provide feedback on drafts. A typical timeline follows.

• Day 1: Client emails their consultant current resume and some information about their reason for requesting a redesign
• Day 3: Resume Redesign Call
• Day 5: Client receives a first draft of their resume redesgin
• Days 6-7: Client spends some time reviewing the resume redesign – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
• Day 8: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated resume draft based on their feedback.
• Day 9+: Additional rounds of review and editing as necessary.

The purpose of a resume is to secure you an interview. The purpose of an interview is for recruiters, line managers and executives to gain insight into a) your interpersonal skills, b) your ability to lead/persuade others, c) how you think and tackle issues (your cognitive abilities) and d) your capacity to think laterally/creatively and finally e) whether you’ll add value to their team or organization.

Most people don’t get enough practice interviewing. That’s unfortunate because interviewing is a skill you develop, a muscle you build through repetition. Some people have virtually no interviewing skills at all because they’ve been promoted internally for a number of years. In a good interview you’ll provide logical and well-thought-out answers to the practical and behavioral questions put to you. In a great interview you’ll also manage to:

• Control any insecurities
• Radiate a positive attitude and polish/executive presence
• Demonstrate that you will bring value to the team and the company as a whole
• Crush any negative judgments or preconceived ideas the interviewer may have about you

Deliverable: Mock interviews last 1.5 hours and are either conducted over the phone or via a video call platform like Skype. At the end of your mock interview you’ll receive an audio recording of the call.

Process: Client emails consultant: several items (see list below) → 1.5-hour Phone Call (Mock Interview) → Client receives an audio recording of their mock interview

Prior to the mock interview, the client emails his/her consultant the following documents: a) current resume, b) cover letter, c) LinkedIn URL, d) PDF of the job posting they’re being interviewed for, e) Type of mock interview the client is interested in: Focus: Content development or content delivery? Questions: Behavioral, traditional or a 50/50 mix, f) Any additional information related to the interview. Background info could include answers to the following questions: Have you already been interviewed by HR at this organization? Is there anyone advocating for you within the company? Names/roles of the people who will interview you. Will this be a one-on-one interview? a panel interview? etc.

Your consultant will then email you to clarify the details of the mock interview and set up a day/time. At the end of your mock interview you’ll receive an audio recording of the call.

Mock Interview Focus: Content Development or Content Delivery

The focus of your mock interview will either be on a) content development or b) content delivery.

• Content Development: For 95% of clients, their first mock interview falls into the content development category. Your consultant will help you develop scripts and stories to answer interview questions. During the mock interview, your consultant will ask a question. You’ll answer it as best you can. Then your consultant will provide you with immediate feedback and ideas on how to improve your response.
• Content Delivery: Subsequent mock interviews may focus on content delivery. By this point in time, clients have had time to develop content and practice it in their spare time. The goal of the mock interview is to perfect the client’s scripts and stories and looking for ways to improve on a client’s body language, eye contact and voice cadence. Clients decide whether to receive feedback from their consultant throughout the mock interview (i.e. pausing for feedback after each question) or at the end of the mock interview.

Mock Interview Questions: Behavioral or Traditional

• Behavioral Interview Questions: Behavioral interviews leverage questions about past situations and behaviors to predict future performance. Behavioral interview questions are easy to recognize because they usually begin with some variation of ‘Tell me about a time when…’ Here are some examples: ‘Tell me about a time when…you were part of a team that was underperforming? you mentored someone? you received unexpected feedback? you persuaded someone to see things from your point of view? you were forced to compromise? etc.
• Traditional Interview Questions: Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why are you interested in working for us? What would you do if you were having difficulties with another employee on your project? What would you do if someone asked you to overlook a problem with your project? Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? How did you like your last job? What would be a hurdle for you if we placed you in the role [you’re interviewing for] tomorrow? etc.
• 50/50 Mix: These interviews contain a mix of traditional and behavioral interview questions.

This client was a seasoned internal auditor who had worked for two players within the high-end hotel industry. He wanted to transition to audit in a big four firm and had an upcoming interview with KPMG for a Senior Associate role in internal audit.

Several weeks after our mock interview session, this client emailed to say: Just wanted to thank you for helping me with content development for my KPMG phone interview around a month ago. After several follow-up interviews with different partners and managers, I finally received an offer from the firm today! In addition, I received an offer for a SOX Audit Manager position from XYZ Capital last week and got a counter offer promoting me to manager at my present employer after I notified them yesterday of my intention to leave. As you can imagine, I’m quite excited about the next steps and am struggling to decide between the three choices!

In the past clients have used advisory calls to:

• Receive verbal feedback on a document (this could be a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, speech, presentation etc.)
• Talk about transitioning their career from one functional role to another (or from one industry to another)
• Get an outside perspective on a number of jobs they’ve found and are considering applying to
• Weigh big life choices and professional decisions (quitting job, going to grad school, becoming an entrepreneur, moving to a different location/country, tradeoffs (quality of life vs. $ money vs. professional visibility)
• Figure out how to deal with a challenging situation or person in their workplace
• Sort though expectations (their own and those of their entourage)
• Articulate future goals
• etc.

Process: Client purchase 30 minutes+ of the Hourly Advisory Service → Consultant emails client to set up a day/time for the call and to learn more about the client’s needs → Advisory Call →  Client receives an audio recording of the call (optional)

New Clients: Prior to your call, your consultant will email you to set up a day/time and learn more about your goal for the call. If applicable, your consultant will request supporting documents from you (resume, cover letter, job postings etc.). If you would like an audio recording of the call sent to you, please let your consultant know that before the call begins.

Existing Clients: Please coordinate with your consultant.