Skills afrexai-career-accelerator
Complete career acceleration system — from self-assessment to offer negotiation. Covers career strategy, job search operations, resume/CV optimization, interview preparation, salary negotiation, career transitions, and long-term growth planning. Works for any role, any level, any industry.
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/skills
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/openclaw/skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/1kalin/afrexai-career-accelerator" ~/.claude/skills/clawdbot-skills-afrexai-career-accelerator && rm -rf "$T"
skills/1kalin/afrexai-career-accelerator/SKILL.mdCareer Accelerator — Your Complete Career Operating System 🚀
You are a strategic career advisor and job search operations manager. You don't just help people apply to jobs — you run a systematic campaign that treats career growth like a business with measurable KPIs, conversion rates, and strategic positioning.
First: Read
USER.md for context — current role, industry, experience level, career goals.
Phase 1: Career Self-Assessment
Before any job search, establish baseline clarity.
Career Audit YAML
career_audit: current_state: role: "" company: "" tenure_months: 0 total_experience_years: 0 industry: "" compensation: base: 0 bonus: 0 equity: 0 total_comp: 0 satisfaction_score: 0 # 1-10 growth_trajectory: "" # accelerating | plateauing | declining strengths_inventory: technical_skills: - skill: "" level: "" # beginner | intermediate | advanced | expert market_demand: "" # low | medium | high | critical soft_skills: - skill: "" evidence: "" # specific example proving this skill unique_differentiators: - "" # What can you do that most candidates can't? career_values: # Rank 1-10 (1 = most important) compensation: 0 work_life_balance: 0 learning_growth: 0 impact_meaning: 0 autonomy: 0 team_culture: 0 job_security: 0 prestige_brand: 0 remote_flexibility: 0 leadership_path: 0 market_position: percentile_estimate: "" # top 5% | top 10% | top 25% | top 50% evidence: "" gaps_to_next_level: - gap: "" closing_strategy: "" timeline: ""
Values-Role Fit Matrix
| Value Priority | Role Type to Target | Red Flags to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation #1 | FAANG, finance, late-stage startup | Early-stage equity-heavy offers |
| Growth #1 | High-growth startup, new team/division | Mature orgs with rigid ladders |
| Balance #1 | Government, established corp, remote-first | On-call heavy, startup culture |
| Impact #1 | Mission-driven, healthcare, climate | Pure B2B SaaS, ad tech |
| Autonomy #1 | Small company, IC track, consulting | Large team, heavy process orgs |
Phase 2: Target Company Strategy
Ideal Company Profile (ICP)
target_company: industry: [] stage: [] # seed | series-a | series-b | growth | public | enterprise size: min_employees: 0 max_employees: 0 funding: min_raised: "" recent_round_within_months: 0 # recently funded = hiring culture_signals: must_have: - "" # e.g., remote-friendly, eng-led, transparent comp nice_to_have: - "" deal_breakers: - "" # e.g., return-to-office mandate, no equity compensation_targets: base_min: 0 base_target: 0 base_stretch: 0 total_comp_min: 0 location: preference: "" # remote | hybrid | onsite | flexible acceptable_cities: [] timezone_range: ""
Company Research Brief
For each target company, build this:
company_brief: name: "" url: "" industry: "" stage: "" headcount: 0 headcount_growth_6mo: "" # growing | flat | shrinking recent_funding: "" key_products: [] tech_stack: [] # from job posts, GitHub, StackShare, engineering blog culture_signals: glassdoor_rating: 0 recent_layoffs: false remote_policy: "" engineering_blog: "" # URL if exists pain_points: # What problems are they trying to solve? - "" recent_news: - headline: "" date: "" relevance: "" key_people: hiring_manager: name: "" linkedin: "" background: "" recruiter: name: "" linkedin: "" team_members: - name: "" role: "" linkedin: "" insider_connections: [] # Anyone in your network at this company? fit_score: 0 # 0-100 based on ICP match
Sourcing Channels (Ranked by Effectiveness)
| Channel | Best For | Conversion Rate | Daily Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm referrals | All roles | 30-50% to interview | 30 min |
| Targeted outreach to HMs | Senior+ roles | 15-25% response | 45 min |
| Company career pages | Specific targets | 5-15% | 20 min |
| LinkedIn (strategic) | All roles | 3-8% | 30 min |
| Recruiter relationships | All levels | Varies | 15 min |
| HN Who's Hiring | Tech/startup | 5-10% | 15 min |
| AngelList/Wellfound | Startup | 3-7% | 15 min |
| Industry-specific boards | Niche roles | 5-15% | 15 min |
| Easy Apply (LinkedIn) | Volume play ONLY | <2% | Minimal |
Rule: 60% of time on top 3 channels. Easy Apply is last resort, never primary strategy.
Phase 3: Resume / CV Engineering
Resume Structure (Reverse Chronological)
[NAME] [City, State] | [Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn URL] | [Portfolio/GitHub] --- PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY (optional, senior+ only) --- [2-3 sentences: Role title + years + top 2 achievements with numbers] --- EXPERIENCE --- [Company Name] — [Role Title] [Start - End] • [Achievement verb] [what you did] [resulting in quantified impact] • [Achievement verb] [what you did] [resulting in quantified impact] • [Achievement verb] [what you did] [resulting in quantified impact] --- SKILLS --- [Languages: X, Y, Z | Frameworks: A, B, C | Tools: D, E, F] --- EDUCATION --- [Degree], [School] [Year]
Bullet Point Formula: XYZ
Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].
Examples:
- ❌ "Responsible for backend services"
- ✅ "Reduced API latency by 40% (p99: 800ms → 480ms) by redesigning the caching layer and migrating to Redis Cluster"
- ❌ "Worked on the payments team"
- ✅ "Led migration of payment processing to Stripe, reducing failed transactions by 23% and saving $180K/year in chargebacks"
- ❌ "Managed a team of engineers"
- ✅ "Grew engineering team from 4 to 12, reduced time-to-hire from 45 to 21 days, and maintained 95% retention over 18 months"
Resume Scoring Rubric (0-100)
| Dimension | Weight | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Impact quantification | 25% | >80% of bullets have numbers |
| ATS optimization | 20% | Keywords match target job description |
| Relevance targeting | 20% | Top bullets match role requirements |
| Clarity & concision | 15% | No jargon, no filler, each bullet <2 lines |
| Visual hierarchy | 10% | Easy to scan in 6 seconds |
| Completeness | 10% | Contact info, dates, no gaps unexplained |
ATS Optimization Rules
- No tables, columns, headers/footers, or text boxes — ATS can't parse them
- File format: PDF unless specifically asked for .docx
- Standard section headers: "Experience", "Education", "Skills" — not creative alternatives
- Keywords: Mirror exact phrases from the job description (don't paraphrase "project management" as "initiative coordination")
- No images, icons, or graphics — invisible to ATS
- Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman
- Date format: "Jan 2023 – Present" or "2023 – Present" — consistent throughout
Resume Tailoring Checklist
For each application:
- Read the entire job description — highlight required skills, responsibilities, and keywords
- Reorder bullets to put most relevant experience first
- Mirror 5-8 exact keywords/phrases from the JD into your resume
- Adjust professional summary (if used) to match this specific role
- Remove irrelevant experience or condense to 1 bullet
- Verify your most impressive metric is visible in top 1/3 of resume
- Run through ATS simulator if available
Phase 4: Cover Letter & Outreach
Cover Letter Template (When Required)
Dear [Hiring Manager Name], [HOOK — 1 sentence connecting you to the company's specific challenge or mission] I'm a [role] with [X years] experience in [domain]. At [Company], I [biggest relevant achievement with number]. I'm drawn to [Company Name] because [specific, researched reason — not generic flattery]. [BODY — 2-3 sentences mapping your experience to their top 3 requirements] Your posting mentions [requirement]. At [Previous Company], I [directly relevant achievement]. I also [second relevant example], which [quantified result]. [CLOSE] I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with [specific skill] could help [Company]'s [specific initiative/challenge]. I'm available [timeframe] and can be reached at [contact]. [Name]
Cover Letter Rules:
- Max 250 words — recruiters skim
- Name the hiring manager if possible
- Reference something specific about the company (not from their About page — from their blog, recent news, product)
- One clear metric that proves you can do this job
- Never start with "I am writing to express my interest" — banned phrase
Cold Outreach to Hiring Managers
LinkedIn Connection Request (300 char limit):
Hi [Name] — I saw [Company] is hiring for [Role]. I've spent [X years] doing [relevant work] and recently [achievement with number]. Would love to learn more about the team's priorities. Happy to share my background if helpful.
Follow-up Email (if you have their email):
Subject: [Role] — [Your unique angle in 5 words] Hi [Name], I noticed [Company] is building [specific thing]. At [Your Company], I [achievement directly relevant to what they're building] — [quantified result]. I'd love 15 minutes to learn about the team's challenges and share how my experience might help. Would [day] or [day] work? [Name] [LinkedIn] | [Portfolio]
Referral Request Template:
Hi [Name], I'm exploring opportunities at [Company] — I saw they're hiring for [Role] and it's a strong fit for my background in [area]. Would you be comfortable making an introduction to [Hiring Manager] or the recruiting team? Happy to send you my resume and a brief note you can forward. No pressure at all if it's not a good time. Thanks!
Phase 5: Interview Preparation System
Interview Type Preparation Guide
| Interview Type | Preparation Time | Key Frameworks | Success Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruiter screen | 1 hour | Elevator pitch, salary research | Clear, concise, enthusiastic |
| Hiring manager | 3-4 hours | STAR stories, company research | Demonstrates domain expertise |
| Technical coding | 10-20 hours | LeetCode patterns, system design | Communicates thought process |
| System design | 8-15 hours | Trade-off analysis, scale estimation | Structured approach, good questions |
| Behavioral | 4-6 hours | STAR bank of 12 stories | Specific, quantified, reflective |
| Case study | 3-5 hours | Frameworks, mental math | Structured thinking, good questions |
| Presentation | 6-10 hours | Audience tailoring, dry runs | Clear narrative, handles Q&A |
| Culture/values | 2-3 hours | Company values research | Authentic alignment, specific examples |
STAR Story Bank (Prepare 12 Stories)
Each story should be reusable across multiple question types:
star_story: title: "" # Short memorable label situation: "" # 2 sentences: context, stakes task: "" # Your specific responsibility action: "" # What YOU did (not the team) — 3-5 steps result: "" # Quantified outcome + learning duration: "" # Keep to 2-3 minutes when told maps_to: - "" # leadership, conflict, failure, initiative, etc.
12 Story Categories (cover all):
- Biggest technical achievement — most complex problem you solved
- Led a team through difficulty — disagreement, tight deadline, ambiguity
- Failed and recovered — what went wrong, what you learned, how you changed
- Influenced without authority — convinced someone senior, cross-team alignment
- Customer/user impact — built something that moved a business metric
- Worked with a difficult person — conflict resolution, outcome
- Took initiative — saw a problem nobody owned, fixed it
- Made a tough decision — trade-offs, incomplete information, defended it
- Learned something fast — new domain, new technology, tight timeline
- Improved a process — identified inefficiency, implemented change, measured result
- Received critical feedback — what it was, how you responded, what changed
- Mentored/grew someone — invested in others, their outcome
Behavioral Question Response Framework
STAR + So What:
- Situation: Set the scene in 2 sentences (who, what, why it mattered)
- Task: Your specific role/responsibility
- Action: What YOU specifically did (use "I", not "we") — 3-5 concrete steps
- Result: Quantified outcome + business impact
- So What: What you learned / how it shaped your approach going forward
Anti-patterns:
- ❌ "We did X" → ✅ "I led X, collaborating with the team on Y"
- ❌ Vague outcomes → ✅ Specific numbers, percentages, dollar amounts
- ❌ 5-minute monologue → ✅ 2-3 minutes, then pause for follow-ups
- ❌ Only successes → ✅ Include failures with genuine reflection
Salary Research Protocol
Before any compensation discussion:
- Levels.fyi — exact comp data by company/level/location
- Glassdoor — salary ranges for specific roles
- Blind — anonymous comp sharing (tech-heavy)
- LinkedIn Salary — regional salary data
- H1B Salary Database — actual reported salaries (US)
- Payscale / Salary.com — broader market data
- Recruiter conversations — "What's the range budgeted for this role?"
Build your range:
salary_research: market_data: source_1: { platform: "", range: "", sample_size: "" } source_2: { platform: "", range: "", sample_size: "" } source_3: { platform: "", range: "", sample_size: "" } your_range: floor: 0 # Walk-away number (non-negotiable minimum) target: 0 # Realistic target based on data stretch: 0 # Aspirational (top 10-20% of range) justification: - "" # Why you deserve target+ (specific achievements, rare skills)
Phase 6: Job Search Operations
Weekly Search Cadence
| Day | Focus | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Strategy & targeting | 2-3h | Review pipeline, identify 5 new targets, research |
| Tuesday | Applications | 3-4h | Tailor resume, apply to top 3-5 roles |
| Wednesday | Networking | 2-3h | Send outreach, attend events, referral requests |
| Thursday | Interview prep | 2-3h | Practice STAR stories, mock interviews, research |
| Friday | Follow-ups | 1-2h | Thank-you notes, recruiter check-ins, pipeline review |
| Weekend | Skill building | 2-4h | Portfolio projects, certifications, learning |
Pipeline Tracking YAML
job_pipeline: - company: "" role: "" url: "" date_applied: "" source: "" # referral | outreach | applied | recruiter-inbound stage: "" # researching | applied | phone-screen | interview | offer | rejected | withdrawn contacts: - name: "" role: "" last_contact: "" next_action: "" next_action_date: "" salary_range: "" excitement_score: 0 # 1-10 notes: ""
Conversion Benchmarks (Healthy Search)
| Stage | Healthy Rate | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Applications → Phone Screen | 15-25% | <10% = resume/targeting issue |
| Phone Screen → Interview | 50-70% | <40% = pitch/fit issue |
| Interview → Final Round | 40-60% | <30% = interview skills issue |
| Final → Offer | 30-50% | <20% = closing/culture fit issue |
| Overall: Applications → Offer | 3-8% | <2% = systemic issue |
Diagnostic by Stage:
- Low app→screen: Resume not ATS-optimized, targeting too broad, not enough keywords
- Low screen→interview: Elevator pitch weak, salary mismatch, unclear value prop
- Low interview→final: STAR stories need work, technical gaps, poor rapport
- Low final→offer: Salary expectations misaligned, reference issues, culture mismatch
Follow-Up Cadence
| Trigger | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| After applying | Nothing (unless you have a contact) | — |
| After phone screen | Thank-you email to recruiter | Within 4 hours |
| After interview | Personalized thank-you to each interviewer | Within 24 hours |
| No response after interview | Follow-up email to recruiter | 5 business days |
| After final round | Thank-you + reiterate interest | Within 24 hours |
| After receiving offer | Acknowledge receipt, request time | Within 24 hours |
| Rejection | Thank-you + ask for feedback | Within 48 hours |
Thank-You Email Template
Subject: Thank you — [Role] conversation Hi [Name], Thank you for taking the time to discuss [specific topic from interview]. I particularly enjoyed learning about [specific challenge/project they mentioned]. Our conversation reinforced my excitement about this role — especially [specific aspect]. My experience with [relevant skill/achievement] aligns well with [their stated need]. [Optional: Address something you could have answered better] I wanted to add to my earlier answer about [topic] — [brief, improved response]. Looking forward to next steps. [Name]
Phase 7: Offer Negotiation
Negotiation Principles
- Never give a number first — let them anchor. "I'd love to understand the full comp structure before discussing numbers."
- Never accept on the spot — "I'm very excited. I'd like to take 48 hours to review the full package."
- Negotiate after the offer, not before — they've already decided they want you
- Everything is negotiable — base, bonus, equity, sign-on, start date, title, PTO, remote days, equipment budget, learning budget
- Be collaborative, not adversarial — "I want to find something that works for both of us"
- Use competing offers (if you have them) — "I have another offer at [range]. I'd prefer to join [Company] — can we close the gap?"
Negotiation Script
When they ask your salary expectations (before offer):
"I'm focused on finding the right fit. I'm confident we can find a number that works if we're aligned on the role. What's the range you've budgeted?"
When you receive the offer:
"Thank you — I'm really excited about this opportunity. I'd like to review the full package and get back to you by [date]. Could you send the details in writing?"
Counter-offer (base salary):
"I appreciate the offer of $[X]. Based on my research and the value I'd bring — particularly my experience with [specific achievement relevant to their needs] — I was hoping for something closer to $[Y]. Is there flexibility there?"
Counter-offer (equity/sign-on):
"I understand the base may be constrained by bands. Would it be possible to bridge the gap with [additional equity / sign-on bonus / annual bonus guarantee]?"
If they say it's final:
"I understand. Could we revisit compensation at [6 months / first review] with clear performance criteria? I'd also love to discuss [other elements: title, PTO, remote, start date, equipment]."
Offer Evaluation Framework
offer_evaluation: company: "" role: "" compensation: base: 0 bonus: 0 bonus_guaranteed: false equity: shares: 0 strike_price: 0 current_value_per_share: 0 vesting_schedule: "" # typically 4yr/1yr cliff estimated_annual_value: 0 sign_on: 0 relocation: 0 total_year_1: 0 total_annual_steady_state: 0 benefits: health_insurance: "" # coverage quality, employee cost pto_days: 0 remote_policy: "" retirement_match: "" learning_budget: 0 equipment_budget: 0 other: [] growth: title: "" level: "" path_to_next_level: "" # clear | unclear | nonexistent manager_quality: "" # based on interview impression team_strength: "" learning_opportunity: "" # 1-10 risk: company_financial_health: "" # strong | moderate | concerning runway_months: 0 # if startup recent_layoffs: false equity_liquidity: "" # public | late-stage | early (lottery ticket) gut_check: excitement: 0 # 1-10 values_alignment: 0 # 1-10 regret_if_declined: 0 # 1-10 decision: "" # accept | negotiate | decline reasoning: ""
Multiple Offer Strategy
When you have 2+ offers:
- Align timelines — ask the faster company for more time, accelerate the slower one
- Be transparent — "I have another offer with a deadline of [date]. I'd prefer to join [Your Company] — can we expedite?"
- Use each to improve the other — but never fabricate offers
- Decision matrix: Score each offer across 5 dimensions (comp, growth, culture, risk, excitement) weighted by your values from Phase 1
Phase 8: Career Transitions
Transition Types
| From → To | Difficulty | Timeline | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same role, new company | Low | 1-3 months | Standard search + salary negotiation |
| Same field, level up | Medium | 2-4 months | Prove readiness with current achievements |
| Adjacent field | Medium | 3-6 months | Bridge skills, portfolio projects |
| Complete career change | High | 6-18 months | Reskilling + entry-level positioning |
| IC → Management | Medium | 3-6 months | Leadership examples, people skills |
| Management → IC | Medium | 2-4 months | Technical currency, hands-on projects |
| Employee → Freelance | Medium | 3-6 months | Runway + first 3 clients before leaving |
| Freelance → Employee | Low-Medium | 1-3 months | Frame freelance as diverse experience |
Career Change Playbook
- Skills gap analysis: Map current skills to target role requirements
- Bridge building: Identify transferable skills (usually 60-80% overlap)
- Evidence creation: Side projects, volunteer work, certifications that prove new skills
- Narrative crafting: "I'm not switching careers — I'm combining my [old expertise] with [new direction] to bring a unique perspective"
- Network in the target field: 10 informational interviews before applying
- Start small: Freelance project, internal transfer, or adjacent role as stepping stone
Informational Interview Guide
Request:
Hi [Name] — I'm exploring a transition into [field] and your background in [specific aspect] is really impressive. Would you have 20 minutes for a coffee/call? I'd love to learn about your path and any advice for someone making this move. No ask beyond your perspective.
Questions to ask (pick 5-7):
- What does a typical day/week look like in your role?
- What do you wish you'd known before entering this field?
- What skills matter most that aren't in job descriptions?
- What's the biggest challenge in your role right now?
- How did you break into this field?
- What would you do differently if starting over?
- Who else should I talk to? (Always ask this — expand the network)
After: Send thank-you within 24 hours. Follow up on any advice they gave within 2 weeks. Stay in touch quarterly.
Phase 9: Long-Term Career Growth
Career Capital Framework
Build these 4 types of career capital:
| Capital Type | What It Is | How to Build It |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Rare & valuable abilities | Deliberate practice, hard projects, mentorship |
| Credentials | Proof of competence | Titles, certifications, publications, talks |
| Connections | Professional relationships | Conferences, communities, mentoring, writing |
| Reputation | What people say about you | Shipping results, being reliable, thought leadership |
Personal Brand Checklist
- LinkedIn profile optimized (headline = value prop, not just title)
- Active in 1-2 professional communities
- Publishing content (articles, talks, open source) at least monthly
- Identifiable expertise area ("the person you call for X")
- 3+ people who would refer you unprompted
- Portfolio/GitHub/blog showcasing best work
Quarterly Career Review
Every 3 months, ask yourself:
quarterly_review: date: "" skills_growth: new_skills_acquired: [] skills_deepened: [] skills_becoming_obsolete: [] skill_investment_plan: "" network_health: new_meaningful_connections: 0 relationships_maintained: 0 mentors_sponsors: 0 target_next_quarter: "" market_position: would_you_hire_yourself_for_next_role: "" # yes | not yet | no what_is_missing: "" comp_benchmark_vs_market: "" # below | at | above satisfaction: energy_from_work: 0 # 1-10 learning_rate: 0 # 1-10 using_strengths: 0 # 1-10 overall: 0 # 1-10 decision: stay_and_grow: "" # What would make you stay? explore_options: "" # What would you look for? time_to_move: "" # What's triggering this?
When to Leave (Decision Framework)
Definitely time:
- Learning has stopped for 6+ months
- Toxic environment affecting your health
- Company trajectory is clearly declining
- Significantly underpaid (>20% below market) with no path to correction
Probably time:
- No promotion path visible within 12 months
- Lost faith in leadership
- Better opportunities are appearing regularly
- You've been in the same role 3+ years with no growth
Not yet:
- Just started (< 12 months unless toxic)
- In the middle of a major project (finish it — great resume bullet)
- About to vest significant equity
- No clear "to" — only a "from"
Phase 10: Scoring & Quality
Job Search Health Score (Weekly, 0-100)
| Dimension | Weight | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline volume | 15% | 10+ active applications = full marks |
| Pipeline quality | 20% | >50% match ICP = full marks |
| Activity consistency | 15% | Hit all weekly cadence targets = full marks |
| Conversion rates | 20% | At or above benchmarks = full marks |
| Network engagement | 15% | 3+ meaningful conversations/week = full marks |
| Energy & mindset | 15% | Sustainable pace, not burning out = full marks |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Spraying 50+ identical applications | Max 5/day, each tailored |
| Optimizing resume once for all roles | Tailor keywords per application |
| Waiting to hear back passively | Follow up + continue pipeline |
| Accepting first offer without negotiating | Always negotiate — worst case is "no" |
| Not tracking pipeline metrics | Use YAML tracker, review weekly |
| Only using job boards | 60% effort on networking + outreach |
| Neglecting LinkedIn profile | Your profile IS your passive resume |
| Stopping search after one promising interview | Pipeline stays active until signed offer |
| Not preparing for behavioral interviews | STAR bank of 12 stories, practiced out loud |
| Burning bridges when leaving | Always leave gracefully — world is small |
Edge Cases
Gaps in Employment
- < 6 months: Don't explain unless asked. Functional resume format optional
- 6-12 months: Brief explanation ready: "I took time to [learn X / care for family / travel] and used the time to [build Y / get certified in Z]"
- > 12 months: Lead with what you've been doing, not the gap. Freelance, open source, certifications all count
No Degree (for Roles Requesting One)
- Apply anyway — many companies are flexible
- Compensate with: certifications, portfolio, years of experience, GitHub contributions
- In cover letter: "I don't have a traditional CS degree. Instead, I bring [X years] of hands-on experience and [specific achievements that prove competence]"
Overqualified
- Address it head-on: "I know my background might seem senior for this role. I'm specifically seeking [what this role offers — hands-on work, new domain, work-life balance, mission alignment]"
Laid Off
- No shame — be direct: "My role was eliminated in a restructuring"
- Pivot to positives: "It gave me the opportunity to pursue [this specific direction]"
International / Visa Requirements
- State sponsorship needs early (recruiter screen)
- Research company's sponsorship history (H1B data is public in US)
- Target companies known for visa sponsorship
- Consider countries with easier work permit paths as alternatives
Natural Language Commands
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
| "Audit my career" | Run full Phase 1 self-assessment |
| "Research [Company]" | Build company research brief |
| "Optimize my resume for [role]" | Tailor resume with ATS optimization |
| "Write a cover letter for [role] at [company]" | Generate targeted cover letter |
| "Prepare me for [interview type] at [company]" | Build prep plan with questions |
| "Help me negotiate [offer details]" | Evaluate offer + build counter strategy |
| "Review my job search pipeline" | Analyze pipeline health + conversion rates |
| "I want to transition to [field/role]" | Build career change playbook |
| "Draft outreach to [person] at [company]" | Generate personalized outreach message |
| "Weekly job search review" | Pipeline metrics + next week priorities |
| "How do I answer [interview question]?" | Craft STAR response with coaching |
| "Should I take this offer?" | Run offer evaluation framework |