f. a. q. 

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE DOLLY PARTON?

I get it. What does Dolly have to do with resumes, career coaching, or LinkedIn? Well, just about everything, if you ask me. Since I was little, Dolly has been my role model in being bold and being me. She challenges stereotypes and embodies what it means to shatter glass ceilings while embracing who you really are. Most importantly, she keeps a sense of humor and levity about it all. ​

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DO I NEED A CAREER COACH?

Everyone can benefit from having a resume writer and career coach at some point in their career. My goal isn't to make you dependent on working with me indefinitely. I equip you with career tools and skills you can take into the next steps of your work and life. 

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STANDOUT RESUME?

The world of job searching has changed. A lot. While Applicant Tracking Systems are getting more advanced in reviewing and screening resumes, it's important to optimize format and content. It's equally important to have compelling, persuasive stories that show your reader what makes you great.

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WHAT IF I DON’T LIVE NEAR YOU?

No problem at all! I'm based in Cincinnati, OH, but the entire process is conducted virtually via email and Zoom. I'm happy to meet locally for anyone in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, or Southwest Ohio Region (Dayton, West Chester, Mason, Columbus).

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WHAT IF I PREFER TO WORK THROUGH EMAIL?

No problem at all! I am inclusive of all communication preferences and learning needs. I work with clients via Zoom, email, text, and in-person (Cincinnati locals only). 

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HOW DO I MAKE CHANGES TO MY RESUME?

At the end of our time working together, I will send you all of your resume files (Microsoft Word and PDF). Please let me know in advance if you prefer Google Docs. 

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You can also ask me to make changes to your resume at any time. Edits are free for 30 days after you receive your finished resume. After 30 days, reach out to me and we can chat about a revision package.

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WHAT IF I NEED A RESUME WITHIN 48 HOURS/OVER THE WEEKEND?

I do offer rush delivery for a fee, starting at $199+. This will depend on my schedule, but in most cases, I can turn around a resume within 48–72 hours.

Please note, though, I'm not a quick cookie cutter resume or career coaching service-- I prefer to work with you over a few weeks to build your profile and value proposition first. Please email me directly if you need your resume very quickly so I can check my schedule and let you know what if I can meet your timeline.

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DO YOU KEEP A COPY OF MY RESUME?

Yes! I keep a copy of all of my clients’ resumes. If you ever misplace yours, just shoot me a message and I’ll send it over.

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IN WHAT FORMAT(S) DO I RECEIVE MY FINISHED RESUME?

I will send your finished resume in PDF and Microsoft Word. I can also work in Google Docs if that's your preference. Just let me know when we start working together! 

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DO I NEED A COVER LETTER?

It depends! I generally say most organizations today do not require one, but it is ultimately up to you and dependent on your circumstances . If a job listing specifically asks for one, then you definitely need to send one. I'm happy to add a cover letter to any package.

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WHAT IS AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) companies organize candidates for hiring and recruitment purposes. These systems allow businesses to collect information and resumes, organize prospects based on experience and skill set, and filter applicants.  An applicant tracking system for recruiters simplifies the recruiting process by using automated intelligence to screen for the best, most qualified candidates.  That means that many times, your resume may not even be getting in front of a human for review.  First we have to beat the bot!

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WHAT IS KEYWORD OPTIMIZATION?

Employers scan your resume for keywords either manually (unlikely) or with the use of scanning technology in an applicant tracking system (ATS). Computers scan your resume and look for keywords that have been pre-programmed into the applicant tracking system. Employers are looking for keywords used in their job description as recruiters search within the ATS.  

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CAN I USE AI TO WRITE MY RESUME?

Absolutely... to a certain extent. AI is great for gathering thoughts to build an outline, keyword scanning, and double-checking alignment with job posts. AI is not so great at building persuasion, telling human-centered narratives, and understanding the decision-making of a hiring manager. Some companies are even using a scan to check if your resume is fully written by AI and they're rejecting those candidates-- don't get burned. Your resume needs a human voice behind it.

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WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL BRANDING?

The world of work and how we search for new gigs is changing. Fast. And how we manage our professional brand matters. Optimizing and aligning your resume, LinkedIn, and/or personal website/portfolio is the new handshake. It's your digital presence in the professional world. 

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SHOULD MY RESUME BE ONE PAGE OR TWO?

I sound like a broken record, but the length of your resume depends on several factors:

- Your experience level

- Your industry and job title

- Relevance of experience

As we work together, we'll come up with a strategy on the right length that matches your unique work history and goals.

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WHAT IS CAREER COACHING LIKE?

I work from research-based, strengths focused tools that are personalized to your journey. Depending on your needs, we may lean more into a certain skill, whether that's showing up at work or throughout your life. I do not provide mental health or services offered by licensed clinicians-- I do provide career mentorship, coaching, tips, and tools to build core life and work skills. 

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I encourage you to show up as you are to our coaching relationship. No suits required, and perfectionism doesn't have a place here. We will build a process together that fits who you are and where you are in your work and life. 

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Our goal is to find career clarity and build a resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and career strategy that empowers you to achieve your biggest goals. 

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WHAT IS PERSONAL BRANDING?

If cost is a barrier to working together, let me know. I keep my books open to take on a few clients a quarter pro bono, or we can work out payment terms to split your service cost over a few months. 

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DO YOU SUPPORT CAREER TRANSITIONS AND CAREER CHANGES?

Career transitions, navigating layoffs, battling unemployment, and deciding where to go next in a career change is where I can provide the biggest support. I spent 20 years in talent management and HR supporting professionals at all levels as they navigated their careers. This has given me super valuable experience in building skills and providing the tools needed to navigate the uncertainty of work.

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CAN YOU HELP ME ACHIEVE A PROMOTION?

Absolutely! The career strategy we'll assemble often focuses on the next step, which often includes a promotion, a step into leadership, or increased compensation. 

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DO YOU HELP WITH CONFIDENCE?

I prioritize self-advocacy, confidence, and self-promotion. These skills are critical in identifying what unique skills, strengths, and talents you offer. By optimizing where you shine the brightest, we can rebuild confidence and further the skills you need to maintain that confidence out in the world. 

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DO YOU ONLY WORK WITH PROFESSIONALS AT A CERTAIN LEVEL?

I prefer to work with professionals across experience levels, titles, and industries. I've found that the core skills to career and life contentment are universal, they just need to be applied to where you are and your goals. I'm happy to support new college grads through Senior Executives-- my strength is in my experience supporting leaders and individual contributors to achieve success. 

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DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?

If cost is a barrier to working together, let me know. I keep my books open to take on a few clients a quarter pro bono or we can work out payment terms to split your service cost over a few months. 

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HOW QUICKLY CAN WE GET STARTED?

I generally have a 1-2 week waitlist, but sometimes can squeeze 1-2 more clients in, depending on the need.

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HOW ARE YOUR RATES STRUCTURED?

I work with clients in a package model that is based on your needs and the time I'm investing in our partnership. My pricing is based on my deep expertise collected over 20+ years in corporate, non-profit, and business consulting, as well as my ongoing certifications, learning, and development.

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