The Bard Method: Character-Driven Career Consultation buying Session

Finding or exploring a new path, passion, career, or role isn't easy, even in the best job market. After helping dozens of jobseekers find direction and make important decisions about their futures and then doubling my own full-time job income, I'm ready to guide you on a path of self-discovery to go beyond your quantified skills and discover what you need to feel successful. I do this through a character-driven method of self discovery, by exploring who you really are and what types of media you prefer and why.

In our session, I will use my journalistic and marketing background to ask you a series of questions that will help you narrow your focus using what I call The Bard Method: a self-discovery approach applicable to a variety of life paths and choices. I'll ask you some standard questions about your career and childhood ambitions, but you also might get questions such as “which movie or book character do you aspire to be, and why?” As a live action game designer and creator of the acclaimed digital live action experience “Sanctuary Avalon,” I know that a character-driven approach is vital to self-discovery – whether you're talking about fictional characters, or about the content of your own character.

Additionally, we can:
Evaluate potential jobs together. I've been freelancing remotely for over a decade and have been a full-time remote worker for several years and am especially adept at identifying remote opportunities.
Review your LinkedIn and resume to add keywords – this will help you get inbound inquiries from recruiters and appease the applicant tracking systems (ATSes) that many companies employ, using my decades of search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing expertise.
Discuss how to determine what salary range you should be going after.
Talk about barriers you have faced and hope to overcome, and why getting ahead in some fields is particularly challenging for minoritized jobseekers.

Why Am I Qualified to Help?

In my current full-time buying role at a research organization, I advise HR and recruiting on how to attract candidates in a competitive job market. In particular, I convey the needs of jobseekers concerned with culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

My background includes a BA in English. I am currently preparing to enter into a Masters program to receive an MS in Communications. I'm also a successful freelance writer and am known as an innovator in analog game design (live action role play).

During my most recent job search in 2021, I sent over 200 resumes and received a 25% response rate resulting in interview requests. I doubled my salary and I want to help others achieve that – especially people like me who have had disadvantages in the job application process due to discrimination against their identities.

Who Am I Qualified to Help?

I am most attuned to creative careers and have extensive experience in publishing, freelance content writing, marketing, startups, and software as a service (SaaS). However, I have also assisted paralegals, accountants, retail workers looking to transition to office work, union electricians, and a medical professional interested in freelance writing.

Due to outside restrictions and my own ethics, I am unable to advise in the fields of:
Politics and lobbying
Tobacco
Firearms
Alcohol
Cannabis
Government contracting and the defense industry
Entering law enforcement without the direct intent to change systemic problems

I am a passionate healthcare advocate and animal lover. I am DEI-focused and disabled, and I believe in accessible healthcare and housing and living wage opportunities for everyone.

I typically work with junior through mid-career jobseekers, but am also qualified to assist executive professionals in creative fields.

Members of US law enforcement aspiring to change their field will receive an extra 15 minutes of consultation for free.

I will not be overly critical or harsh on your resume, grammar, and definitely not on your appearance. Our consultation is informal and semi-structured – and I typically wear t-shirts when I conduct them. If you ask, I'll gladly help you with what to wear for a job interview, how to succeed in a Zoom interview, etc., but I am not going to criticize how you speak or what you look like.

You will receive:
1 hour long Zoom consultation at a scheduled time that works for both of us
Recording of your consultation
~2 paragraph summary expressing what we've discovered together

I typically provide consultations on weeknights and weekends. I'm based in Washington, DC (Eastern Time), but I am happy to accommodate your hours on the weekends if you live in a different timezone.

FAQ
Q: If you are making a substantial wage, why are you doing this?
A: Like everyone, I have goals. Due to extremely costly medical expenses, I was 40 before I started saving for retirement. Like many of you, I feel the strain of rent costs rising. I also want to provide top care for my dog (also my ESA!) and I would like to contribute equally when my partner and I are able to buy a home. Getting started with a living wage later in life really stinks, and I want to help you achieve your goals faster because I know how hard it is.

Q: Do I have to be a marginalized person to get a consultation?
A: Nope. I have included invitational language to marginalized people because as a person with marginalizations, I know that an invitation is even more important than simply including.