Meet Wanda Kiser: Career Strategist, Executive Resume Writer & Interview Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wanda Kiser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wanda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew that one day I would work for myself. After nearly 22 years of personal growth and success at a major telecommunications company, I decided to launch my own business as a career strategist. The idea stemmed from my passion and desire to be of service to others. In 2008, during the economic recession, many of my employees were facing an impending layoff. To assist in securing new assignments, I helped to develop their resumes and hone their interview skills. As a result, they all moved on to higher-rated positions in progressive areas of the company, and none of them lost their job. Following their success, I received many referrals who offered to pay for similar assistance. After much prayer and months of repeated customer success, I researched the industry, acquired numerous industry certifications, and decided to take a leap of faith.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. As a career practitioner, I am passionate about equipping job seekers with the tools and skills needed to succeed in today’s tough job market. The services I provide include the development of interview-winning career marketing collateral (cover letters, resumes, thank you emails, LinkedIn profiles, and executive biographies) and the facilitation of laser-focused career coaching and interview coaching services. On average, greater than 90% of my resume service clients begin to interview within 30 days, and more than 95% of my coaching clients receive multiple offers and negotiate attractive salaries and compensation packages. 

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? 

After more than 20 years of personal growth and success at a Fortune 500 company, I decided to launch my own career services business. The idea stemmed from an innate passion and desire to be of service to others. During the 2008 economic recession, many of my employees were facing impending layoffs. To help them identify and secure new assignments, I worked closely with my employees to develop compelling resumes and improve their interview skills. As a result, they all moved on to higher-rated positions, and none of them lost their job. Following my employees’ success, I received numerous calls and emails from referrals offering to pay for similar assistance. To that end, and after much prayer, I researched the Careers industry and decided to take a leap of faith as an entrepreneur. The secret to my success is/has been a commitment to delivering exceptional client service and maintaining a continual focus on operational excellence. 

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate strategic partnerships and best-in-class training programs, tools, and systems. All of these resources have been instrumental in helping me build, expand, and maintain thriving businesses in up and down economies. 

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? I am a performance-driven career coach who is passionate about using my talents, skills, and abilities to help job seekers maximize their career potential. I work directly with each client, one-on-one, and I never contract work out to third-party coaches or resume writers. Also, in April ’20, I launched my second business, The Interview Guru, and authored by first book, The Complete Guide to a Successful Interview, Get the Job: How to Ace the Interview. In the end, I am heavily invested in my clients’ success, as their success becomes my success!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
During the pandemic, I’ve become more intentional and creative, so outdoor activities like taking long walks, hosting small gatherings, playing games, telling stories, and being present while spending quality time with friends and loved ones have been delightful. As such, I would encourage my best friend to take time to appreciate the simple things in life, which helps to maintain work-life balance while unleashing creative energy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That’s a great question! Apart from my faith in God and the encouragement I received from my beloved mother and father, the book entitled “Caught Between a Dream and a Job” by Delatorro McNeal II served as a guide during my transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. In his book, the author inspires readers to transition from working 9-5 to living a life of significance, meaning, and excitement.

Website: https://www.eliteresumewriting.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliteresumewriting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliteresumewriting/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elite-resume-writing-services-atlanta-2

Other: Links to second business: The Interview Guru https://www.facebook.com/WCKiser/ https://interview-guru.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/interview-guru-wanda-kiser/

Image Credits
Eric Bern