Rachael Altman

The last few weeks have been filled connecting with people looking to make a change in their lives. The first step in any transition is simply pausing and deciding it’s time to follow a new path.

Take that pause. Listen to your body. Notice how you’re feeling. Notice where you feel stuck or uninspired. Notice where you feel joy and freedom.

✨ Special Offer✨

You’ll walk away with a solid plan forward, a refreshed resume/cover letter/LinkedIn, and my support throughout every step of the job search.

Join me in Elevate Your Career. I'll walk you through everything you need to MASTER your previous experience with the confidence that's waiting to shine through.

Create a step-by-step career roadmap with confidence and in community in just 12 weeks.

I am offering this program for $555! (Standard program price is $1555)

Book a free call at the link in my bio and let’s make the magic happen together!

I had a great time speaking at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. It was an awesome opportunity to connect with my favorite people and share what I’ve learned in my 10+ years as a librarian working in librarian roles.

My top 3 takeaways from this session are:
✨ We all have transferable skills that can lead us into a new career path
✨ Get really clear on what you want and why you want it
✨ Craft your unique story

💖 And a 4th bonus point: Network. Network. Network. Every opportunity I’ve had is because of a conversation I had with someone along the way. Send the message. You’ll find that people are very willing to talk and help!

✨ Special Offer✨
Join me in Elevate Your Career. I'll walk you through everything you need to MASTER your previous experience with the confidence that's waiting to shine through.

Create a step-by-step career roadmap with confidence and in community in just 12 weeks.

For all attendees (and anyone in my network reading this message) I am offering this program for $555! (Standard program price is $1555)

Book a free call at the link in my bio and let’s make the magic happen together!

Your network can affect your net worth!

Everyone (including introverts) can network. Despite what you’ve been conditioned to think about “networking”, it doesn’t have to be an intimidating social thing.

You just have to know how to play to your strengths.

Here are some tips on how you can begin to expand your professional network with ease:

➡️ Prepare in advance. Think about who you want to talk to and what you want to say. This will help you feel more comfortable when you're actually at the event.

➡️ Listen more than you talk. Asking questions and listening carefully will make people remember you and appreciate your interest in them.

➡️ Focus on one-on-one networking. This is much easier than trying to schmooze in a big group.

➡️ Follow up after the event. In today's job market, it is more important than ever to have a strong network. You’d be shocked at how many people never follow up!

Hit save to come back to this post later, and let me know if this has been helpful.

Is it worth your time to write a follow-up email after an interview? The short answer — yes!

Although it may seem like a small thing, taking the time to send a follow-up email shows off your interest for the role. Beyond that, it’s often one thing other applicants overlook!

It’s the perfect opportunity to sell yourself one last time and highlight why you are the best candidate for the job.

Here are a few of my best tips on writing a great thank-you email after your interview:

1. Send the email within 24 hours of the interview.

2. Keep the email concise and to the point + personalized.

3. Mention something you enjoyed about the interview or company.

4. Reiterate your interest in the position and company.

5. Revisit any hallmark or major accomplishments relevant to the position.

6. Close by thanking the interviewer(s) for their time and consideration.

Stuck on what to say? Send me a DM and let’s change that.

Can’t figure out WHY you resent your job? This might be it…

Career alignment is so much more important than you might initially realize when it comes to your career. Your happiness.

As a career coach, many of my students aren’t able to pinpoint WHY they hate, resent, or feel apathetic toward their career trajectory. One of the biggest secrets most of them overlook is having that alignment I mentioned earlier.

Career alignment is more than feeling satisfied with your role. It means doing work that fully aligns with your unique values as a human being. It’s work that challenges you in fulfilling ways.
It gives you the ability to thrive — not just work.

When a person's career is in line with their personal goals, they are more likely to be motivated and enthusiastic about their work. They are more likely to be genuinely interested in their daily tasks, and this is important for the quality of work they produce.

When a person's career is not aligned with their personal goals, they may feel that they are working without feeling any passion or excitement. This is often the gateway into jobs without a clear direction.

This doesn’t have to be your reality. There’s a position out there that’s perfect for you, your passions, and your talents as a professional!

4 biggest mistakes people make on their resume ⤵️

A strong resume is your ticket to a position that fully aligns with you. Here are the biggest mistakes I see people make on their resume:

1. Not tailoring the resume to the job they are applying for:
A resume should be tailored to each specific job you are applying for. This means specifying your relevant skills and experience for that particular role. Generic resumes are less likely to get noticed by employers.

2. Making grammar and spelling errors:
This is a huge mistake that can immediately disqualify your resume from consideration. Always proofread your resume multiple times before sending it off to potential employers.

3. Not including enough keywords:
In today's digital world, many employers use automated systems to screen resumes before they even reach human hands. Ensure your resume includes all relevant keywords for the job you are applying for.

4. Weak or generic cover letters:
You might think it's best to write a generic cover letter that you can use for all of your applications, but this is a huge mistake. The cover letter is the first chance to sell yourself to your potential employer, so make it count.

There’s more where this came from! Be sure to hit the Follow button to stay up to date!

A good resume is essential for any one looking for a career reset!

Here are some tips to instantly improve your resume and help you get the job you want:

1. Start with a strong headline or summary statement that outlines your professional brand and what you have to offer.

2. Use keyword-rich language throughout your resume to ensure that it gets picked up by applicant tracking systems.

3. Highlight your accomplishments and skills rather than simply listing your job duties.

4. Use powerful action verbs to describe your experience and contributions.

5. Make sure your resume is well-organized and easy to read.

6. Seek professional help if necessary to ensure you’re getting the best resume possible before you submit your next resume.

Tell me, how many of these tips have you already been using?

No matter how much experience you have, everyone will almost always face a career setback.

They don’t always look the same way. Different people will always have their own definition of what a career setback is for them.
But that doesn’t mean they hurt any less when they actually happen…

You likely won’t be able to predict them. You might see a less drastic version of them happening — later down the road.

However, you can absolutely be prepared well in advance for the next one that happens to you.

With the right tools, strategies, and support, you can help “setback-proof” your career. That way when something does happen, you won’t go into full panic mode.

You’ll have the space you need to be intentional about your next move.

Ready to get started? Send me a DM and let’s chat!

Does your pitch match your resume + experience?

I’ve lost count on how many times clients have told me that they hate talking about themselves.

Frankly, it’s an art. Those who master it often find the best positions suited to skills and talents they’re passionate about.
That’s why it’s so important for you to learn how to talk about yourself in a way that sells your experience. In a pinch, I recommend practicing with your elevator pitch.

They’re short, to the point, and simple enough to get right after a few times:

1️⃣ Write out your best accomplishments.
2️⃣ Next, record yourself speaking through them a few times.
3️⃣ Then, listen to each of your takes.

➜ Do you sound confident? Where are you stumbling on the most? Do you have an abundance of “uhs” or “ums”?

➜ Be clear, concise, and confident when communicating with others.

➜ Be aware of the image you project and the first impression you make. By being mindful of these things, you can start learning how to speak about yourself in a way that is positive and professional.

Want the exact tools and resources you need to perfect your pitch? Send me a DM to get started!

If you're feeling discouraged about the job hunt, it's time for a mindset shift (or four)!

With the right attitude, you can supercharge your job search and land the perfect role. Check out these 4 much-needed mindset shifts to help you get started:

1. Believe that you're qualified for your dream job. The first step to getting what you want is believing that you deserve it. If you're feeling like your current position doesn't quite fit, remember that you have the power to change it.

2. Discover what your dream job truly means in the bigger picture. Be specific. Instead of "I want a new job," focus on what you really want in your next role - whether that means using more of your talent, trying something new, or simply working fewer hours.

3. Make a plan. Once you know what you want, it's time to develop a plan of attack. Narrow down your options, and make sure your resume is polished and ready to go. Great news: We've got everything you need to land the perfect role!

4. Know the right moment to make a move. If you're unhappy in your current position but aren't quite ready to make a switch, it might be time to start getting more involved at work. Join committees, and take on bigger projects.

You ready to make that next big move? Claim it in the comments below!

4 things you can do after you leave your job that isn’t “look for a new one”.

Let’s face it: not everyone will have a smooth transition between jobs. Some of us are faced with ultra-toxic coworkers, overwhelming bosses, or underwhelming salaries that only inspire us to look elsewhere.

Whatever the case for you may be, here are a few things you can do to help make this transition as possible (and possibly help you recover your confidence):

1️⃣ Rest - This is so incredibly important when you’re overburdened with stress.

2️⃣ Breathe - Not everyone may find meditation helpful, but pacing your breath for a minute or two when you feel your anxiety flare up can really make a difference!

3️⃣ Celebrate yourself - There’s a lot you’ve endured. Embrace your passions and celebrate the courage that led you to find something amazing.

4️⃣ Seek out support from your community or a coach - As overrated as this might sound, that community can literally be the thing that helps you land your dream role on a team that lights you up and honors you.

You can always follow me here for my best rapid-fire tips, but if you’re hungry for that community I mentioned, DM me to get started.

Experience is great, but it’s not actually what gets you the job of your dreams. Let’s talk about this!

“Confidence is overrated,” I hear you say. And I get it.
We used to be able to smile and nod our way through an interview while someone scanned over our resume. But those days are gone.

That might make you uncomfortable, but there’s never been a better time to move up!

Cue the chat about confidence.

It’ll get you further than you might initially think. Employers DEFINITELY want the experience and soft skills for sure, but what I’m seeing is a shift oriented toward confidence.

Before you cringe, I’m not talking only talking about a confident personality. Employers are hungry for candidates who are self-aware in their talents as well as their skill sets.

The edge you need comes from this formula: confidence + humility.

Answering questions in a way that shows off your clarity and confidence opens up so many more doors than those who aren’t able to do this.

Ready to learn the tools you need to conquer your next interview? Send me a DM to get started.