Career Coaching, Events, and Resources

I’m a strategy and finance professional with experience across investment banking, consulting, corporate strategy, and M&A. Throughout my career, I’ve worked at highly competitive firms including Goldman Sachs, Boston Consulting Group, and Deloitte, and earned my MBA from The Wharton School as a Palmer Scholar (top 5% of the graduating class). I currently work in internal strategy and M&A while also advising and assisting venture-backed and high-growth companies on strategic and operational initiatives. In addition to my professional background, I’m passionate about mentoring and helping students and young professionals navigate recruiting and career development. I’ve coached more than 500 candidates across investment banking, consulting, corporate strategy, private equity, and finance-related roles, helping them successfully secure internships and full-time offers. My coaching experience includes resume and LinkedIn reviews, networking strategy, behavioral and technical interview prep, casing, presentation and deck-building guidance, essay editing, internship preparation, and overall career strategy. I focus on providing honest, practical, and highly personalized guidance to help candidates build confidence, improve performance, and position themselves competitively throughout the recruiting process.

With 15+ years in tech and leadership roles at companies like Microsoft and AT&T, I’ve helped dozens of professionals land roles, change careers, and find clarity in uncertain moments. I specialize in helping people tell their story with confidence, prepare for interviews, organize their resumes, and reconnect with their self-worth during transitions. Whether you're entering the corporate world or making a big leap, I’m here to be your advocate, sounding board, and strategist.

Over the two decades of my career, I have counseled numerous students, alumni, and colleagues as they navigated job searches, careers, transitions, and pivot points. I know from my own experience that having someone available to discuss options and strategies can always be helpful. I also firmly believe in negotiating for what you are worth and have advised and mentored others as they have weighed and negotiated job offers in various sectors. Finally, a passion for me is advising those from historically excluded backgrounds in their industries (first generation, people of color, etc.) on navigating bias and uninclusive professional environments. Whether you are prepping for a job interview, seeking clarity about whether to pivot, navigating impostor phenomenon, or wondering how best to engage a diverse team or resolve team conflicts, I am here to support you on your career journey. **Please don't let the rates deter you. I encourage you to contact me if you have concerns about the affordability of coaching, as I am always happy to offer discounts or design custom packages for those with less readily available financial resources.

With over a decade of experience in career coaching, resume writing, and professional development, I have helped 500+ clients secure new opportunities, transition careers, and achieve their professional goals. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Career Coach (CPCC), I specialize in crafting powerful resumes, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, and preparing professionals for interviews in IT, cybersecurity, engineering, finance, healthcare, and various other industries. Beyond resume writing, I provide strategic career coaching, job search guidance, and salary negotiation techniques that empower professionals to land their dream roles. Whether you are a career changer, a recent graduate, a transitioning veteran, or an executive, I tailor my approach to maximize your career potential and highlight your unique value in a competitive job market. If you’re struggling with resume visibility, job search strategies, or interview confidence, I’m here to help you stand out, tell your story effectively, and land the job you deserve. Additional Experience: Certified Resume Writer | Career Coach | Interview Coach | Digital Career Strategist | Veteran Career Expert Why Choose Me as Your Career Coach? ✅ Proven Success Rate – Helped 500+ clients secure interviews and job offers, with an 80%+ interview success rate. ✅ Certified Resume & Career Coaching Expert – Holds 8+ career industry certifications, including CPRW, CPCC, and CIC. ✅ Deep Industry Expertise – Specialized in coaching IT, cybersecurity, engineering, finance, healthcare, and executive professionals. ✅ ATS-Optimized Resumes & LinkedIn Profiles – I ensure your resume beats the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and lands in front of recruiters. ✅ Mock Interview & Salary Negotiation Coaching – Master interview techniques and get paid what you're worth. Areas of Expertise Professional Resume Writing & Personal Branding ATS-Optimized Resume Writing (IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Finance, and more) LinkedIn Profile Optimization (Enhance Visibility & Networking) Cover Letter Writing & Executive Branding Personal Brand Development for Career Growth Career Coaching & Job Search Strategy Career Transition Planning (Changing Careers or Breaking into New Fields) Job Search Techniques (Networking, Cold Outreach, and Digital Strategies) Elevator Pitch & Professional Branding for Interviews Mock Interviews & Salary Negotiation Behavioral & Technical Interview Preparation Salary Negotiation Strategies & Offer Evaluation Confidence Building & Public Speaking Coaching Specialized Career Coaching for Veterans & Career Changers Veteran Career Transition Support (Military to Civilian Career Success) Career Pivoting & Industry Transition Strategy Executive & Leadership Coaching for Career Growth Certifications & Credentials I hold multiple industry-leading certifications in resume writing, career coaching, and interview strategy, including: Resume Writing & Career Coaching Certifications: Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) Certified Curriculum Vitae Writer (CCVW) Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) Certified Student Career Coach (CSCC) Interview & Digital Career Strategy Certifications: Certified Interview Coach (CIC) Certified Digital Career Strategist (CDCS) Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS) Certified Empowerment & Motivational Professional (CEMP) How I Can Help You Succeed 💡 Need a Resume That Gets Noticed? I’ll craft an ATS-optimized, tailored resume that highlights your unique skills and achievements. 💡 Struggling to Get Interviews? Let’s optimize your LinkedIn profile and job search strategy to attract recruiters. 💡 Want to Master Interviews? I provide mock interviews, salary negotiation coaching, and confidence-building techniques. 💡 Transitioning Careers? I’ll help you pivot into a new industry or role with a strategic approach tailored to your experience.

While getting my MBA and since completing it, many family and friends have asked me if they should pursue a graduate degree. Getting an MBA or any graduate degree is not for everyone and I will share my candid experience while learning more about what it is you are ultimately trying to achieve. I have also worked for a variety of Fortune 500 companies in various functions and roles, which have helped me to coach others that feel stuck in their career and are considering making a change. The grass is not always greener on the other side and I am passionate about helping people make those tough decisions!

I’ve spent the last several years helping people navigate high-impact career decisions while building and leading teams at fast-growing startups. As CTO & co-founder at Leland, I’ve worked closely with hiring, interviewing, mentorship, leadership development, and team building across engineering and cross-functional roles. My experience includes: CTO & Co-founder at Leland Former Head of Engineering leading and scaling engineering teams Hiring and mentoring engineers across internship, entry-level, senior, and leadership roles Conducting technical and behavioral interviews for candidates from a wide range of backgrounds Advising people on career direction, compensation, promotions, leadership growth, and startup vs. big tech decisions I work best with ambitious people who want clear, practical, and honest guidance on questions like: What should I optimize for in my career right now? How do I position myself for better opportunities? Should I pursue startups, big tech, management, or entrepreneurship? How do I become a stronger communicator, leader, or operator? How do I stand out in competitive hiring processes? My coaching style is direct, strategic, and highly actionable. I focus less on generic advice and more on helping people make thoughtful decisions that compound over time.

Take a structured approach to landing your next role. This can be hard - and I personally have navigated this many times and have helped others navigate it. Understanding the role requirements, how you should go about pursuing it, and how to frame your experience are learnable skills! With practice, I am convinced that anyone can successfully achieve their goal career role. As a former HR Business Partner at Amazon and Management Consultant, I have worked extensively with hundreds of friends, family, and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds to refine resumes, write cover letters, and practice interviewing. My coaching philosophy is based on the following principles: 1) Your time is precious - we'll be efficient and I won't waste your time if I'm not providing value 2) Listen more than talk- I'll focus on what you need and won't monopolize our sessions with unrelated commentary 3) Drill down on targeted areas of focus - You're good at a lot of things; let's target any weak areas and drill those until you feel confident 4) Respect and genuine concern - I'll always be respectful and I bring sincere, singular attention to our calls Don't hesitate to reach out!

Welcome—I'm Cong. I’ve been where many of my clients are: holding a prestigious degree, thriving in consulting, but unsure how to crack the tech world without starting over. I made the leap myself—pivoting directly from consulting into a staff-level role at Apple, followed by leading growth analytics at DoorDash. I know how different the game is in tech: it’s not just about credentials—it’s about translating your value, navigating ambiguity, and showing up with confidence in rooms that speak a different language. Today, I coach high-achieving professionals from top schools and firms—many with elite MBAs, consulting, or banking backgrounds—who feel stuck despite doing “everything right.” I’ve helped many individuals land impactful roles, make strategic pivots, and lead with clarity, not burnout. If you feel frustrated by the gap between where you are and where you should be—I’m here to help you close it. Let’s build a clear, strategic path into your dream job that honors who you are and what you’ve built.

Hello and welcome to my profile! With a diverse background in data analysis and software engineering, I've honed my skills at top organizations like AT&T and NASA, where I developed automated solutions and data-driven insights. My experience as a course instructor at UC Berkeley, where I co-led a course on inclusive pathways into the tech industry, has equipped me with the ability to guide others in their career development journey. Whether you're looking to break into tech or advance your current career, I can help you navigate the complexities of the industry with tailored strategies and actionable advice. Let's connect and create a roadmap to achieve your career goals!

Over 13 yrs, I've helped 6,000+ career changers get clear on their positioning, optimize their search, and land roles clients land roles across 20+ different fields - from people, art, & communication careers (therapy, marketing, L&D) to STEM (engineering, quant finance, AI/ML). I specialize in neurodivergence & nonlinear career paths, with clients consistently entering roles in quant/STEM. We focus on getting clear on what you want and what you don't, then balancing branding, upskilling, and networking (all essential in this market). We also focus on what's working in THIS market, where you need to balance searching for a bridge job (something temporary where you can get your foot in the door) and getting closer to your target role (what you actually want to be doing next). You'll receive guidance, frequent feedback, and - for packages - have access to an online community for job seekers and career changers. I've worked with hundreds of recruiters and hiring managers over the years (working on hiring teams and sourcing candidates), so I provide insight into the unspoken criteria they are weighing you against, and how you stack up to your conversation.