Career & Job-Search Coaching
Need Career Help?
(Jump to Nathan's Experience.)
Whether we work together or not, I’m your biggest cheerleader. Helping people make a change in their lives is what I enjoy most about my job. And as our careers are a big part of our lives, I have a big passion to help you succeed.
But my desire to help isn't all there is to it; practical application is a big part of things, too. Aside from my professional job-search perspective, I also have extensive amount of personal experience in landing jobs. This allows me to understand and navigate just about any speed bump or wall you run into. I use a very high-touch, personalized process. You won’t just be given worksheets to fill out. We’ll walk and talk through everything together.
Scroll down for a list of commonly asked questions.
Resume Deconstruction and Development
Resumes
This includes tune-ups, tightening, complete deconstruction and reconstruction, and even the creation of resumes from scratch for those who don’t already have one.
ContactCareer Coaching
Career Coaching
Whether are you are looking for advice, guidance, or looking to make a complete industry or career change, I can help. Coaching includes all of the above in addition to assessment; job-search strategy; job-search networking; career-planning; company-promotion strategy; interview coaching; and salary negotiation.
ContactLinkedIn Profiles
LinkedIn Profiles
My role in the executive search industry is "researcher". What that means is that I’m the person who receives your resume and puts it in the database. I'm also the person who reads and interprets LinkedIn profiles when looking for candidates. I construct resume and LinkedIn profiles the way hiring managers and recruiters read them.
ContactCover Letters and Bios
Cover Letters and Bios
Need to create or tighten your cover letter? Need a sharper sounding bio? I’m a former screenwriter, playwright and three-time published, award-winning author who still edits Hollywood scripts. I can help!
ContactWhat Comes Out of A
Resume Deconstruction Process?
A clearer understanding of your background for hiring managers.
A resume is the starting point of a deeper conversation about your background. Often times resumes are constructed using language that describes your experience in general terms. However, if your competition has a similar background and experience, and that experience is more articulate than yours on their resume, you can see who already has the advantage. Clarity and understanding are key when it comes to getting a second look from hiring managers. I specialize in this. After working together, your resume will be a crystal-clear, solid documentation of your work experience the way hiring managers need to know it.
A clearer understanding of your background for you.
You will likely recall, re-discover, and get a better understanding of your own experience through our process together. I ask a lot of questions. Having to think out, then articulate your answers puts your experience into a perspective for yourself. This informs how you will talk about your experience to others. This is particularly powerful when applied to your networking meetings and job interviews. This aspect of working together is a major advantage over doing your resume on your own.
Keywords.
As a recruitment professional who handles a candidate database and utilizes LinkedIn to find candidates, I can tell you that keywords are a crucial part of a good, findable profile. However, our resume and LinkedIn process does not involve simply plugging in keywords relevant to your background. Instead, our resume/LinkedIn process reveals This includes all the relevant keywords that someone like me, the person who look for candidates, needs when searching databases (which includes LinkedIn).
Branding.
Personal branding is something that causes a lot of stress for job-searchers. There is a lot of emphasis put on the development of this job-search aspect, but with an approach that is largely misguided. Here’s the truth of it.Simply put, there is no such thing as a branding-first approach. There can’t be. Personal branding is formed by the comprehensive experience of the individual. What this means is that a personal brand can’t be revealed until an exploration process of your background is complete.In other words, if I know nothing about you, how can I know what your brand is? However, if I learn everything about you (such as through a clear, articulate resume), your branding comes through on its own.Discussion à Exploration à Discovery à Your Personal Brand.
Knowledge & Confidence.
My goal is not to just offer a service, but to teach you how to do it yourself. Job search can be intimidating, and often comes with peaks and valleys of success. But knowledge is power, and knowing what you are doing gives you confidence to handle it all. I don’t just tell you how to do things, but explain With this kind of insight and confidence, you will feel good knowing that you are making the right moves out there on your own. You're not just getting help from me, you are empowering yourself.
What Comes Out of A
Resume Deconstruction Process?
A clearer understanding of your background for hiring managers.
A resume is the starting point of a deeper conversation about your background. Often times resumes are constructed using language that describes your experience in general terms. However, if your competition has a similar background and experience, and that experience is more articulate than yours on their resume, you can see who already has the advantage. Clarity and understanding are key when it comes to getting a second look from hiring managers. I specialize in this. After working together, your resume will be a crystal-clear, solid documentation of your work experience the way hiring managers need to know it.
A clearer understanding of your background for you.
You will likely recall, re-discover, and get a better understanding of your own experience through our process together. I ask a lot of questions. Having to think out, then articulate your answers puts your experience into a perspective for yourself. This informs how you will talk about your experience to others. This is particularly powerful when applied to your networking meetings and job interviews. This aspect of working together is a major advantage over doing your resume on your own.
Keywords.
As a recruitment professional who handles a candidate database and utilizes LinkedIn to find candidates, I can tell you that keywords are a crucial part of a good, findable profile. However, our resume and LinkedIn process does not involve simply plugging in keywords relevant to your background. Instead, our resume/LinkedIn process reveals This includes all the relevant keywords that someone like me, the person who look for candidates, needs when searching databases (which includes LinkedIn).
Branding.
Personal branding is something that causes a lot of stress for job-searchers. There is a lot of emphasis put on the development of this job-search aspect, but with an approach that is largely misguided. Here’s the truth of it.Simply put, there is no such thing as a branding-first approach. There can’t be. Personal branding is formed by the comprehensive experience of the individual. What this means is that a personal brand can’t be revealed until an exploration process of your background is complete.In other words, if I know nothing about you, how can I know what your brand is? However, if I learn everything about you (such as through a clear, articulate resume), your branding comes through on its own.Discussion à Exploration à Discovery à Your Personal Brand.
Knowledge & Confidence.
My goal is not to just offer a service, but to teach you how to do it yourself. Job search can be intimidating, and often comes with peaks and valleys of success. But knowledge is power, and knowing what you are doing gives you confidence to handle it all. I don’t just tell you how to do things, but explain With this kind of insight and confidence, you will feel good knowing that you are making the right moves out there on your own. You're not just getting help from me, you are empowering yourself.
Commonly Asked Questions
Literally everybody, from college graduates to senior corporate executives. I even work with a few foundation-sponsored cohorts.
What Qualifies Me To Work With You? I have a deep and wide employment experience.
My very first career, which spanned 20 years, was in the arts, as a professional actor and writer in New York City and Los Angeles. As such, I maintained a second job at all times to support myself. This means I’ve worn many, many hats over those 30+ years in the working world, which enables me to work, by experience, with any client. Here’s a shortlist of some professional experiences I’ve had, some of which I held concurrently.
Busboy. (My very first job, at age 9.)
Lifeguard. (Professional Rescuer certified. Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round. I was a competitive swimmer growing up, from age 9 til age 18, year-round. 100 Free was my event, if you’d like to know.)
Swimming Instructor. (Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified. Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round, and instructed over 1,000 adults and children over that time.)
Babysitter. (My mom ran a private daycare center in our home, which I grew up in, and later helped with as I grew older. I had helped raise nearly a dozen children by the time I left for college.)
Waiter. (I wasn’t great at this one, but I learned a ton. Not an easy job, folks. Always tip your server.)
Personal Trainer. (My dad got me into weight-lifting, and I was an athlete growing up. I got certified to train others through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).)
Bartender. (In a rather rough biker bar. What an experience. I’ll tell you about it.)
Executive Assistant. (Over 10 years of experience, and as senior as they come. Worked in the Executive Offices of Goldman Sachs; L’Oreal; Rockerfeller Brothers Fund, among a long list of other organizations that run from finance to religion.)
Professional actor. (Formally trained actor; BFA Theatre, emphasis Acting. 10 years in NYC, 5 years in Hollywood. Voting member of the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG-AFTRA) union. Member of Actor’s Equity (AEA), stage union. Principal roles in film, tv, and stage. Over 125 episodes in daytime serial [soap opera] television.)
Playwright. (I still write short plays for DiscoveryOnstage, a multi-media kids’ Summer Acting camp in Los Angeles, California. You can see them here: DiscoverOnstage)
Screenwriter. (I still edit the works of a few Hollywood writers.)
Published writer. (Three career, and one audiobook which make up The 20-Minute Networking Meeting series. Two novels, not yet in print.)
Theatre instructor. (Adults and kids. Lawyers and other professionals, too, to help with speaking presence and team work.)
Non-Profit Board Member. (Development Committee; Governance Committee; Board Secretary; Executive Committee; Vice Chair. I’ve led the search for Executive Director and Managing Director roles for two internationally known arts non-profits.)
Retained Executive Search. (Over 14 years in this realm at the regional, national, and global levels. Everything from non-profit to energy; oil and gas fracking; high-tech; med-device; electronics, steel and manufacturing industries to name a few.)
Note: I work with a few foundation-sponsored cohorts that offer career, resume or job-search help for their volunteers or employees. Cohorts have been up to 30 people. If you would like to get help for your organization, employees or volunteers, contact me!
Here’s a shortlist of professionals I’ve worked with.
C-suite executives (Chief Executive, Operations, Information; Human Resources; Financial Officers); top fashion designers; support personnel and executives in healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit; movie stars and TV stars; voice-over artists; teachers; college professors and administrators; theater actors; television, sound design and production professionals; military vets; company admin; executive admin; customer service; bartenders and waiters; shop mechanics; baristas; oil, and farm workers; other career consultants; playwrights, screenwriters, novelists and content writers; lawyers; accountants; painters; restaurant and small business owners.
I also work with foundation-sponsored cohorts that offer career, resume or job-search help for their volunteers or employees. Cohorts have been up to 30 people. If you would like to get help for your organization, employees or volunteers, contact me!
Now, all that said, if you still feel unsure as to whether I can help you, just send me an email or give me a call. I will tell you for sure. (After all, what’s the point in saying I can help, if I really can’t?)
Note: Are you a Hollywood celebrity or professional who needs career strategy? As a 20-year entertainment veteran and voting SAG-AFTRA union member, I can help you. I not only maintain Hollywood ties, but frequently work with people in the industry from admin to actors, to screenwriters and producers. Not sure if NYC, Chicago or LA are where you need to go? I can help. Landed a major role and not sure how to capitalize on that? Check. Fear that you are being pigeonholed or typecast? No problem. Transitioning from one character type or age group to another? I’m here for you. I can even discuss script structure and character development with you. Wanna run lines and get a take on your approach? Great! All of it is in my wheelhouse, and all of it my passion. Just get in touch.
- Dedication
- Drive
- Commitment
- Discipline
Our work together is one-on-one. This translates to an expedited process on all things related to your job search: Resume completion; LinkedIn profile development; Networking strategy; Career planning. Cost is generally a lot less, too.
What is also unique about me as a coach, is that I have expertise in each individual area that is crucial to job search (therefore a one-stop shop for resume, LinkedIn, networking and career coaching). This alone makes for a very effective and comprehensive work dynamic between us.
For instance, in my research role in the executive search industry, I am responsible for the first step in the executive recruitment process: finding candidates for company clients. (If you like, you can see me here on the Ballinger|Leafblad website, too.)
What that means: I am literally the person who receives your resume when you submit for a job. I am also the person who puts it in the database. And I am the person using LinkedIn as a tool for recruitment. So, in a nutshell, if there’s a single person you write a resume or LinkedIn profile for, it’s me. What that means to a job-seeker: I develop your material the way someone like me (a recruitment professional, or hiring manager) reads and interprets it.
A question I am frequently asked is who I work with as a coach. I work with literally everybody, from college graduates to senior corporate executives. I even work with a few foundation-sponsored cohorts, and in the non-business realm, artists, including New York City playwrights, and even Hollywood producers and known celebrities. As I've had a broad and fairly deep working experience, it has put me in contact with just as broad perspective of professionals.
Here's Some Background.
My very first career, which spanned 20 years, was in the arts, as a professional actor and writer in New York City and Los Angeles. (Which explains why I still coach such people.) As such, I maintained a second job at all times to support myself. This means I’ve worn many, many hats over those 30+ years in the working world, which enables me to work, by experience, with just about anybody. Because in the end, the best way about career development and job search is the same for nearly everyone.
Here’s a (very) shortlist of some professional experiences I've had up til this point. I've been in the working world since a young man.
Busboy. (My very first job, at age 9.)
Lifeguard. (Professional Rescuer certified. Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round. I was a competitive swimmer growing up, from age 9 til age 18, year-round. 100 Free was my event, if you’d like to know.)
Swimming Instructor. (Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified. Professional Rescuer certified (one step beneath paramedic). Nearly 10 years in 2 states, year-round, and instructed over 1,000 adults and children over that time.)
Daycare. (My mom ran a private daycare center in our home, which I grew up in, and later helped with as I grew older. I had helped raise nearly a dozen children by the time I left for college.)
Waiter. (I wasn’t great at this one, but I learned a ton. Not an easy job, folks. Always tip your server.)
Personal Trainer. (My dad got me into weight-lifting, and I was an athlete growing up. I got certified to train others through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and trained clients in NYC.
Bartender. (In a rather rough biker bar. What an experience. I’ll tell you about it.)
Executive Assistant. (Over 10 years of experience, and as senior as they come. Worked in the Executive Offices of Goldman Sachs; L’Oreal; Rockerfeller Brothers Fund, among a long list of other organizations that run from finance to religion. Was part of the Goldman Exec Admin team when the company went public.)
Professional actor. (Formally trained actor; BFA Theatre, emphasis Acting. 10 years in NYC, 5 years in Hollywood. Voting member of the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG-AFTRA) union. Member of Actor’s Equity (AEA), stage union. Principal and starring roles in film, tv, and stage. Over 125 episodes in daytime serial [soap opera] television.)
Playwright. (I still write short plays for DiscoveryOnstage, a multi-media kids’ Summer Acting camp in Los Angeles, California. You can see them here: DiscoverOnstage)
Screenwriter. (I still edit the works of a few Hollywood writers.)
Published writer, Nationally recognized. (Three career, and one audiobook which make up The 20-Minute Networking Meeting series. Two novels, not yet in print.)
Theatre instructor. (Adults and kids. Lawyers and other professionals, too, to help with speaking presence and team work.)
Non-Profit Board Member. (Development Committee; Governance Committee; Board Secretary; Executive Committee; Vice Chair. I’ve led the search for Executive Director and Managing Director roles for two internationally known arts non-profits.)
Retained Executive Search. My responsibility is to research candidates for the recruiters to recruit. (Over 14 years in this realm at the regional, national, and global levels. Everything from non-profit to energy; oil and gas fracking; high-tech; med-device; electronics, steel and manufacturing industries to name a few.)
Ready For The Next Step?
Interested in coaching? Need a speaker or workshop for your organization? Need resume or LinkedIn help? Just plug in your info to set up a 20-minute call!