Welcome to another episode of Monday Career Confidante! Today’s conversation dives deep into the world of neurodiversity in the job search, with a special focus on resumes, interview preparation, and career coaching for individuals on the autism spectrum or with ADHD. Host Marie Zimenoff sits down with Melissa Kelly, an accomplished resume writer and career coach, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, and how those experiences have shaped her unique approach to helping neurodivergent clients succeed in their careers.

Melissa talks candidly about the challenges she faced in school and the workforce, from social struggles and misunderstandings to navigating workplace dynamics. Now, she leverages her background to break down barriers, provide practical strategies, and offer structured, empathetic support to others facing similar hurdles. Whether you’re a job seeker, a career professional, or just curious about the neurodiverse experience in the modern workforce, this episode is packed with actionable advice, personal stories, and insights on creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Tune in and discover how small shifts in process, empathy, and structure can make a big difference for neurodivergent professionals—and why Melissa believes these adjustments can benefit us all.

Interviews don’t always go as planned, and job seekers often face unexpected questions, curveballs, or even technical difficulties that can throw them off track. In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes Kathleen Dohoney, a career management specialist and former corporate recruiter advisor with deep expertise in job search strategy, interview coaching, and career transitions.

Listen in as Kathleen shares expert strategies to help career professionals coach their clients through unpredictable interview moments. Learn how to prepare beyond the script, develop adaptability, and turn challenges into opportunities. Discover actionable techniques for maintaining composure under pressure, responding to difficult questions with poise, and recovering from unexpected twists without losing momentum.

As a Certified Interview and Compensation Negotiation Coach, Resume Writer, Transition Coach, Digital Brand Coach, and Career Strategist, Kathleen brings a wealth of insights to the table. Whether it’s handling an off-topic question, managing a high-pressure panel interview, or regaining control after a misstep, this episode will equip you with the tools to guide your clients to interview success—no matter what surprises come their way.

Don’t miss this valuable discussion that will enhance your coaching skills and help your clients shine in any interview scenario!

In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff chats with Beth Benatti Kennedy, a leadership and executive coach specializing in resilience. Beth, author of "Rethinking Resilience: 99 Ways to Recharge Your Career and Life" and "Career Recharge: Five Strategies to Boost Resilience and Beat Burnout," shares insights on developing resilience beyond its buzzword status.

Beth discusses her Bonatti Resiliency Model, focusing on well-being, self-awareness, brand, connection, and innovation. She emphasizes the critical role of personal branding in authentic career presentation and provides practical strategies like the "Friday Five" for maintaining professional relationships.

The episode also introduces the concept of "Ikigai," exploring how starting small, accepting oneself, building connections, finding joy in little things, and living in the moment contribute to resilience.

If you're navigating career transitions or seeking to boost your resilience, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiring insights. Tune in to learn how resilience can empower your career and personal growth.

In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff delves into the role of AI in modern job searches. She covers how tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can aid in analyzing job descriptions, market research, and refining interview strategies.

Marie emphasizes AI as a supportive copilot, enhancing, but not replacing, the essential human touch in personal branding. She also discusses navigating AI's ethical considerations and potential biases to ensure effective use.

This episode is a must-listen for career services providers and job seekers ready to leverage AI's advantages in their career pursuits. Tune in to learn how AI can help you achieve success in today's job market.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for each open position today. How do you make your resume stand out? In this episode of Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff interviews guest Amelia Brooke on the power of storytelling in resumes (or CVs where Amelia's located in the UK) and LinkedIn profiles. Amelia shares her journey from working in manufacturing to becoming a recruiter and now a career coach and writer. Marie and Amelia discuss the importance of storytelling in resumes and how it can differentiate you from your peers in today's competitive job market. They also delve into the art of prioritizing stories to make sure your message resonates instantly with the recruiter and hiring manager. Listen in to uncover the secrets to using storytelling to transform your career documents and stand out from the crowd, even if you're making a career transition.

The number of applications for each open position has increased 30%-50% in the past few years. How can you stand out in that sea of resumes? How can you help employers see you as the most qualified for the position? In this episode of the Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes Matthew Warzel, professional resume writer and President of MJW Careers. Matt and Marie explore what you need to do in your resume to capture attention and answer frequently asked questions, including how far back to go and how to format your experience on your resume. Matt also shares recruiting trends he is seeing, a few tips on connecting cold with recruiters via LinkedIn and email, and other resources for your career and job search. Looking for help with your resume? Check out the directory at resumewritingacademy.com to find a writer to can assist you in telling your career story!

Like many industry transitions, the military-to-civilian transition can be a daunting journey for many service members. In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff delves into the challenges faced by transitioning service members as they embark on their civilian career journey. Special guest Marisol Maloney, a leading expert in helping veterans write impactful corporate resumes and navigate the job market with confidence, explores why this transition is often challenging and the unique hurdles veterans encounter when entering the civilian job market. Join us as we reveal some of the most common resume mistakes made by transitioning service members. Discover practical tips and strategies to create a compelling corporate resume that stands out to employers. You’ll also walk away with interview tips tailored to help veterans and tips to maintain a strong LinkedIn presence. Don't miss Marisol's invaluable insights and strategies to help veterans succeed in their civilian careers. Tune in and stay ahead of the curve with The Career Confidante!

In the wake of massive corporate layoffs and rising burnout rates, standing strong and navigating through these challenges is critical for both job seekers and employers. In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff is joined by leadership and executive coach Jessica Hill Holm.

Listen in to discover key warning signs of corporate burnout and how to recognize them before they escalate. Jessica sheds light on strategies companies and leaders can employ to effectively address and reduce burnout within their teams. How does one strike a balance between demanding corporate roles and personal well-being? Get insights into work-life integration and mitigating burnout in high-stress job situations.

In an era where layoffs can be just around the corner, preparation is vital. Learn actionable steps both employers and employees can take to brace themselves for potential layoffs. Understand the importance of upskilling and adapting to an ever-evolving job market. Finally, Jessica underscores the need for transparent, compassionate communication when it comes to the delicate matter of layoffs. Don't miss this episode to equip yourself with strategies and knowledge to face these challenges head-on.