Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Schwartz.
Hi Courtney , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I love this question because things have taken such a pivot… or have they?
From a young age I wanted to be a social worker. After receiving two degrees, I spent 15 years in program delivery, building and strategy moving into my dream role in senior leadership. The through line of my work early on was career services. All of us job search at least once in our life yet almost no one does it well! (This gets me fired up.) I love supporting others and sharing knowledge. Quickly, I was also supporting friends and family in their job search, and in 2013 when referrals expanded to friends-of-friends I started my company A Foot in the Door Consulting. In 2016, I became a Certified Resume Writer to support my expertise.
That side business was put on hold in late 2019, about a year after moving into a Director-level role. I honestly wanted to stay in this role for a significant amount of time, however the taxing nature of COVID-response took a significant toll. In 2022, 7 days after my spouse jokingly said I need to quit, I put in my resignation with no plan (and a very tight budget). I was walking away from my lifelong dream and from social work altogether.
After one session with a career counselor she tapped what I have always known – I deeply love being a resume writer and job search guide. It activates all of my social work skills while also bringing me to life. So, I quickly rebuilt my business to what it is today. I serve diverse professionals across the United States and Canada in building effective job search portfolios, tactical skills and improved confidence through 1:1 services and workshops (that didn’t sound like I’ve said it 1000 times or anything).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With business ownership there are growing pains – learning things you wish you would’ve known a long time ago. I’m incredibly lucky to have friends who also own small businesses and we often lean on each other and share our lessons. My professional association, PARWCC, is also a wealth of knowledge and support.
Possibly the hardest to navigate is the ebb and flow of clients. 3.5 years in I’m getting better with the cycle of when folks job search and learning how to plan accordingly.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about A Foot in the Door Consulting ?
I love talking about my business because I find so much tremendous joy in what I do.
I am a Certified Resume Writer and Job Search Coach but what I do is so much more than that. Often, I’m reflecting back to them aspects of themselves they have forgotten or didn’t know how to put into words and that in and of itself is confidence building as they head into job search. I get feedback such as “Wow. You made me look so good,” but truly I’m just mirroring what they told me.
Another aspect of my role is just providing relief in the process. I don’t just deliver a product, I provide user guides, job search coaching and am readily available throughout their search. Let’s be honest, most of us have no idea what we’re doing and are throwing spaghetti at the wall.
My core services are Resume and Cover Letter Writing, and LinkedIn Optimization. I’m building the documents and profiles that are conducive to both computerized systems and hiring manager review, provide a depth that showcases the whole person and the documents are structured so they are easy to tailor – takes out the guess work. I’m ensuring my clients have a strong web presence noticeable to recruiters, employers and the broader network. Have another need? Great let’s figure out how a service to meet it. Like I said, I love supporting people and knowledge sharing.
I’m proud that my company is not a machine.
I am committed to a human-centered approach so you are getting me and only me from A – Z. We are working collaboratively to produce individualized results my client is happy with. However my process has the perks of a machine — I have a step-by-step process that in and of itself reduces stress. Folks who have had their resumes done by other professionals and come to me when they are unhappy regularly reflect that my approach is less robotic and more genuine while still being incredibly streamlined.
Though, how do I reach more and grow my impact?
In addition to 1:1 services I teach classes with partners such as cities, universities, career coaches, nonprofits and more. I’m actively working to grow this arm of my business because how insane the job search process has gotten. How can I share my knowledge with more people? I want to teach the skills that facilitate a strong job search.
I feel more passionately today about my work than I have before because job search feels like the wild wild west. The Atlantic just called it “Job Search Hell.”
In almost every consultation I hear something like: “I’ve been applying for jobs for 6 months. I’m not getting anywhere. I’m exhausted by the process. AI tools are not working. I don’t know how to do job search anymore.” I am deeply empathetic to the defeat and deflation that comes with a long job search – it’s like dating. Constantly putting yourself out there and reinventing yourself, to be ignored, ghosted, and dumped.
Turning job search around for my clients is EVERYTHING.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Personally, I listen to a lot of non-business podcasts. I love human interest stories . They itch the scratch of a non-practicing social worker: This American Life, Handsome Pod, Armchair Expert, Heavyweight. Although not business specific they tap a part of my brain that helps me stay agile and creative.
More business related podcasts I listened to are: Acquired, Mel Robbins, Rich Roll, and I do the NPR News Now to stay abreast of world news including business. I also receive my resume writing associations newsletter, attend numerous workshops and receive various newsletters like Business Insider.
My best in life moments though are getting outside, spending time with people who bring my joy, getting a good nights sleep and moving my body – ya know the stuff we all know.
Pricing:
- Pricing is dependent on where you are in your career. I do offer various packages of services however. Essentials Lite is Resume and LinkedIn, Essentials (Most popular) is Resume, LinkedIn and Cover Letter and Full Job Search Package is all of that plus interview prep. Each package comes with User Guides, Job Search Touchpoint call, and access to the Client Toolbox. My website has all pricing spelled out in detail.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.afootinthedoorconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afootinthedoorconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552492126108
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneygschwartz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@afootinthedoorconsulting
Image Credits
Headshots done by my amazing sister, Lindsay Wilkinson Photography LLC
