Laura DeCarlo

Laura is the President of CDI and works with both job seekers (resume writing, interview coaching, job search strategy and LinkedIn profiles) and resume writers and career coaches (business consulting and resume writing training).

For 30 years I’ve been driven by a singular mission to best my prior results to help each of my clients land their win in record time. I know from working with thousands of job seekers, resume writers and career coaches around the globe what it takes to succeed – and it’s always easier for each of my clients than they ever could have imagined. (The proof is in the metric-driven testimonials I’ve amassed from both job seekers and entrepreneurs as well as through the awards and distinctions I’ve attained). I am a Master Transformation Specialist and I thrive on helping you overcome challenges, navigate unusual career and business paths and skyrocket to the top of your craft and career. I live to be out in front of the pack for YOU, envisioning, mastering and manifesting the winning strategies that guarantee you retain a significant edge to propel you in front of your competition. Through a proprietary strategic process and a chameleon-like versatility, there hasn’t been an industry, career level, salary or revenue goal that’s been out of reach for my clients. More than just an architect and strategist of your success, working with me is like hanging out with a great friend. One who delights in motivating you, cheering you on, making you laugh, and ensuring you love what you’re called to do. When you work with me you receive the very best as I’m the absolute original career superhero to whom the career industry leaders have turned to attain their successes. (Just Google me). I live for blazing a trail and lighting the way for others to soar and I do this through a diverse suite of services. But I won’t leave you guessing because I listen carefully to laser-focus the perfect strategy for your individual challenge or goal so that we can conquer it and make it happen! Highlights of my offerings: Job Seekers: Resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching, interview coaching, salary negotiation coaching and career transition for all levels and industries. Career Coaches, Resume Writers & Entrepreneurs: workshops, memberships, training, group and 1-1 business consulting, certifications and done-for-you job seeker resources. Organizations & Corporations: Transition assistance workshops, custom training programs, staff development/coaching, seminars and keynotes. Keep reading for a breakdown on my achievements, publications, leadership roles, awards, and more. If you’re ready for real results in record time, email me at laura@nullcareerdirectors.com.

Certifications & Degrees

Recognized with some of the highest credentials in the industry for resume writing, career coaching, career transition and career management.

• Master Career Director (MCD)
• Infinite Possibilities Certified Trainer
• Money Breakthrough Method® Certified Coach
• Certified Professional - Online Job Search & Reputation Management (CP-OJSRM)
• Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC)
• Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM), Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW), Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW), Certified Career Story Teller (CCST) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) - former
• Certified Content Marketing Specialist
• Certified Customer Acquisition Specialist
• Certified Money, Marketing and Soul Coach®
• Certified XCHANGE Guide
• Reach 360 Branding Assessment Certified
• Certified Web Portfolio Practitioner (CWPP)
• Credentialed Career Master (CCM) - former
• Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC)
• Certified Electronic Career Coach (CECC)
• Certified Career Management Coach (CCMC)
• MA Candidate, Human Resources; Graduate studies in Counseling, Training & Development, and Career Development
• BA in Technical and Creative Writing

Awards & Honors

• Former national/international resume expert for 54 professional associations such as PMI, AMA, AJST, ASAE, ASME, AVMA, and ASCE.
• CDI Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Board of Directors on behalf of members.
• Former CDI Vice President of Awards & Presentations responsible for spearheading the development of resume standards and to direct the international Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) competition.
• Former CDI Vice President of Public Relations.
• CDI Master Resume Writer Lifetime Achievement Award.
• CDI Master Career Professional Lifetime Achievement Award.
• PARW "Most Visually Distinctive Resume," 1st Place National Conference Award.
• CDI/PRWRA "Best Resume Format," 1st Place Annual Award.
• CDI/PRWRA "Most Creative Resume," 1st Place Annual Award.
• CDI/PRWRA "Best Resume Content," 2nd Place Annual Award.
• CDI/PRWRA "Best Functional Resume," 2nd Place Annual Award.
• CDI/PRWRA "Most Overall Points," Annual Award.
• Herzing College/Herzing University 7 Annual "Employment Recognition Awards for Top Job Placement Levels".

Publications

Author:

• Book: Resumes for Dummies, 7th & 8th Editions - Wiley
• Book: Interviewing: The Gold Standard
• Book: Interview Pocket RX
• Book: Job Search Bloopers (co-author) - CareerPress
• Book: Career Industry Mega Trends
• Program: Certified ob Coach & Profile Writer - for CDI
• Program: Six Figure Flight Plan - for CDI
• Program: Resume Business Roadmap - for CDI
• Program: Resume Writing Roadmap - for CDI
• Program: Certified Web Portfolio Practitioner program - for CDI, Power Talent Network, Inc., and CECC curriculum for eCareer Learn.
• Program: Certified Employment Interview Consultant program - for CDI
• Contributor of resumes and cover letters to J.I.S.T. Works and Impact Publications.

"America's Top Resumes for America's Top Jobs," 1st & 2nd Editions

"Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives"

"Professional Resumes for Executives, Managers, and Other Administrators "

"Professional Resumes for Tax and Accounting Occupations"

"Professional Resumes for Accounting, Tax, Finance and Law"

"Resume Winners from the Pros"

"Cover Letter Magic," 1st & 2nd Editions

"Gallery of Best Resumes," 2nd Edition

"Expert Resumes for Computer and Web Jobs"

"Expert Resumes for Educators and Teachers"

"Expert Resumes for Health Care Careers"

"Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work"

• Monthly Employment Guest Columnist – The Florida Today Newspaper – 2 years
• Interviewed and quoted in more than 50 newspaper, online and magazine articles including Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Vogue, Reader's Digest, Working Mother, US News & World Report, Consumer Reports, For Dummies, Kiplinger's, CNBC, Smart Money, HR Magazine and NBC 7/39 News in San Diego.

Additional Board Positions

• Board Member/PR/TORIs - Professional Resume Writing & Research Association - 2001 to 2004
• Board Member & Southern U.S. Representative, National Resume Writers' Association - 1997 to 1999
• Director of Career Planning & Professional Development, Herzing College - 1994 to 1998; Program Consultant / Career Planning Instructor - 1998 to 2003
• Advisory Board, WENDI (When Entering New Directions), Brevard Community College - 1998 to 2010
• Advisory Committee, Women Off to Work (WOW) Program, The Women's Center of Brevard - 1996

Highlights Of Speaking Engagements

• Junior Chamber of Commerce USA, Keynote Presenter, Myrtle Beach, SC
• US Air Force, Trainer/Presenter, Panhandle Bases, FL
• American Society of Association Executives - Boston, MA
• CoreNet Global - Las Vegas, NV; Philadelphia, PA; Orlando, FL
• Career Directors International, National Conference Presenter (Annual, Various)
• National Resume Writers' Association, National Conference Presenter, Chicago, IL
• Transition Assistance Program, US Treasury, Office of Thrift Supervision, CA & NJ
• Miami Herald Job Fair & Florida Today Job Fair - multiple
• Military Transition Assistance Program (TAP), U.S. Air Force - multiple
• Talk City's Virtual Career Fair
• Professional Employment Network (PEN) / Professional Placement Network (PPN) - multiple
• America's Promise - multiple high schools
• University of Central Florida, Webster University, Brevard Community College and others