Sara Curto - Career Coach

11/28/2025

Scroll below for the Black Friday deal. For my last case study of the month, keep reading!

Background: this client came to me wanting redemption: they wanted to be valued and recognized for their talent and be in a role that allowed them to have a big impact

The Challenge: they wanted it to be everything they’d always wanted which meant it was tough to stay motivated for anything that didn’t live up to their standards. And when it did get close, they would fixate on trying to perfect it which would make it disappear.

The Solution: A lot of coaching! We got crystal clear on their Ideal Goal but also on the “I would be happy with” goals. We created job search plans that were structured and focused on my client gaining more control over opportunities. The branding opened the doors for all opportunities, the networking strategy focused on building mutually beneficial relationships.

As interviews came in, the coaching was rooted in keeping my client present and curious. And as offers came in, we negotiated on the things that mattered but let go of the things that didn’t.

My client stayed open minded and excited about where opportunities could take them.

The Outcome: Opportunities became bountiful. My client went from chasing down networking leads to becoming sought after. They took a “I would be happy with” contract that led to so many more wonderful job offers.

He went from wanting redemption to being redeemed. To becoming that valued resource and building a reputation for someone who is going to make a difference in the world.

My Key Take-Aways: we all have something we really want. And sometimes it’s the only thing that excites us. But when we realize that it may be impossible or take too long (or too much effort) we feel defeated and often times do nothing.

But I think it’s amazing to have that ideal! That ideal is our destination. But we still have to journey there. And sometimes other job opportunities are the stops we MUST take along the way to get there.

And when that journey motivates us, we become unstoppable.
So what stops are along the way to your dream?

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

Which brings me to my Black Friday Deal! Until Sunday night at 11:59pm EST, I’m offering the map to your dream for 50% off.

The Find Work You Love Course is your route guide:
it helps you get clear on what you want next
teaches you (and gives you all the resources) to craft your branding
helps you create a job search strategy that’s balanced and works
helps you bring all of that together to shine your brightest in the interview!

Now I know your inbox is FLOODED with these emails, and, honestly, I hate getting all of them. So I won’t be sending out anymore, which means if you want to grab this do it now or set a reminder in your phone!

You can get it here: https://sara-curto---career-coach.mykajabi.com/offers/Hn8jkns5?coupon_code=BLACKFRIDAY50

The coupon code is BLACKFRIDAY50!

Have a great weekend,
Sara

P.S. Did you like the case studies? Want me to keep doing them?

11/26/2025

A Simple Mindset Shift That Can Lead to Immediate Job Opportunities

I want to share a moment from a current Hired & Happy client that still gives me chills.

We’re only halfway through our work together, so there are many incredible wins still to come. But in just our second session, something shifted that led to immediate momentum.

And I’m sharing this because I suspect you might be carrying the same belief she was…

She truly believed that no one would want to hire her.

Her list of reasons felt endless:
➡️ “I don’t have enough Canadian experience.”
➡️“I’ve only worked in one industry.”
➡️ “English is my second language.”
➡️And so many more.

So we did two things.

First, we gently unpacked and challenged the limiting beliefs, the stories she had been telling herself about her worth and employability.

But just as importantly, I shifted her into a completely different lens. I showed her what talent acquisition teams and hiring managers actually see when they look at a profile like hers.

Because for years, I was the person on the other side of the table hiring
people with backgrounds exactly like hers.

And it was the combination of those two perspectives that changed everything.

By the end of the call, the tears were gone. In their place? Hope. Confidence. Possibility.

By our very next session, she had opportunities coming her way.
And again by the session after that.

Once she truly saw her value, she started having different conversations. And those conversations opened doors that, just weeks earlier, she believed were impossible.

To be honest, this is why I love my coaching style.

I blend the mindset and identity work from my counseling and coaching background with the real-world hiring insight from my recruitment career.

It’s that dual perspective that helps my clients move quickly from self-doubt to real results.

So if you’re struggling with the belief that “no one will hire me,” here’s your simple reframe:

Write down every reason you think you’re “unhireable.”

Then question each one:
❓ Is this fact… or fear?
❓Is this the only way to interpret this?
❓ What else could hiring teams be thinking about me?

Just because some employers might pass for one reason doesn’t mean all will.

Not even close.

If you’re open to it, drop one of your reasons in the comments (or DM me). I’d love to help you rewrite it.

You may be much closer to your next opportunity than you think.

If this story resonates and you’re ready for your own breakthrough shift, here’s the link to book a free discovery call with me:

calendly.com/jobcoachsara

We’ll look at what’s really holding you back, and how working together can unlock amazing opportunties.

Hi! You're here because you are sick and tired of being stuck in a crappy job or job search. By scheduling this call you are taking your first step to finding your right career.

11/24/2025

Have a teen in your life that is interested in finding a part-time or summer job or who needs a resume for their post-secondary applications?
Well I have a training for them!

This week on YouTube, I’m doing a full workshop on how to write a resume for teens. It’s one of my most popular workshops that I do with the Burlington Public Library. It fills up incredibly fast and not everyone lives in Halton - so I’ve decided to put it on YouTube!

In the video I go through everything, including sharing a sample template with relevant experiences like babysitting, school projects, clubs and extracurriculars and how to write bullet points for them.

It’s jam packed with value.
Head here to watch: https://youtu.be/oLFm9rxnm8M

11/21/2025

I’m excited about today’s story. This is a story about a rule follower who decided to leap outside their comfort zone and end up in a job they love.

Background: this client was an entrepreneur, running their own business. But they were incredibly unhappy. It was too much pressure, they weren’t having the meaningful impact they wanted and they were sick of not being a part of a team. But they loved the panache of their business and they stayed stuck because there was so much potential to make a lot of money. Everytime they wanted to leave, they would “should” themselves back into staying. But it’s hard to go all in on something you hate.

The Challenge: they had no idea what they wanted, and their field was so specialized they were worried that they’d have to go back to school, which they really didn’t want to do.

The Solution: We followed by career exploration steps and it became pretty crystal clear the field this person should be in. This created another problem: they had no experience, and a particular certification would be beneficial. But with some networking we realized that they could get the job and then get the certification paid for by the organization!

So they got to work. First by throwing all the “rules” of what you should do in a job search out the window. They went in person, they pitched partnerships, they asked questions not typically asked.

It wasn’t easy for this rule follower but they were 100% committed to this career change.

The Outcome: they actually got a lot of interview, even got to an offer stage on one. Which they turned down because there was not movement on pay!! This rule follower couldn’t believe they had the confidence to do that.

But the right offer did come in, and my client negotiated for more money. And this one accepted. It checked ALL of her boxes and more. It’s been two months and they’re so happy that they took this chance on themselves. That they stopped “shoulding” themselves in every aspect of this career - they closed down a business, they found a new job by breaking job search rules and the biggest should of all “that they should be happy with something that was draining them”.

The Key Take-Away: I will follow any rule. As long as it makes sense. But if it doesn’t, I’m breaking it (I got threatened with suspension for constantly breaking uniform policy in high school).

So when a job search rule stops making sense for my clients, we find ways to break it. It’s really just about thinking outside the box and our comfort zones.

So this week - ask yourself how you are “shoulding” yourself into a corner. And what rules can you break to get you out. You’ll never know what could come from it!

11/18/2025

Ever wondered how long job interviews usually last? ⏰
In this week’s Tuesday Tidbit, I explain what’s normal for different types of interviews and what the timing says about your chances.
Catch the full video here: https://youtu.be/DYCEQiYdz2M

11/14/2025

I’m super excited about today’s case study! It’s especially important for the average job seeker who tends to spend most of their time on job boards. Or for the maybe too-informed job seeker who believes in “finding a job without applying online”.

So let’s dive in!

Background: this client was on a leave and was due to go back to a workplace and job that they didn’t want to. They really hadn’t had to look for a job before, so wanted my expertise to help guarantee they’d be quitting!

The Challenge: This person had taken a demotion in their last role for personal reasons, but was ready to get promoted again and they were worried about how to position themselves for this.

The Solution: We got really clear on what they wanted and identified a couple of job titles that they wanted to target. Then, we worked on branding. By creating an engaging resume that highlighted their transferable skills from the most recent role and brought attention to their previous jobs. We used this to update their LinkedIn to optimize it for recruiters to find them.

The next step was networking! They listed out contacts and leaned on the vast networks of people they knew.

Each week, we had a plan. My client generally split their time 50/50 between applying to jobs on job boards and doing some networking activities.

The Outcome: My client got a lot of interviews. From all the sources: their job applications, recruiters finding them on LinkedIn and networking.

It gave them so much control and confidence. So when THREE offers came in the same week, they knew exactly how to choose the perfect one. The one that checked almost all of her boxes instead of some of them.

My Key Take-Away: We can sometimes be so attached to how the jobs come to us. We think it has to come from our resume or from a networking contact or thin air!

But when we get unattached to how they come to us and we do the work in a variety of ways, then we get more jobs come our way.

Our confidence skyrockets. We never go into an interview thinking “it has to be this job”, instead we get to think, “I wonder if this is the job” because we know we have others to consider.

So I want you to split your time 50/50. 50% doing job board activities and 50% networking activities. The more balanced the approach is the more interviews you’ll get!

So, what’s your job search plan for next week?

11/11/2025

When interviewers ask about your management style, they’re looking for more than just buzzwords.
This week’s Tuesday Tidbit breaks down how to answer this question with confidence—showing leadership, self-awareness, and adaptability.

Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/dNHsuXIKoRM

11/10/2025

Think you’ve prepped for every interview question? Think again!
In this video, I walk you through three commonly overlooked interview questions — the ones that often catch candidates off guard — and shows you exactly how to answer them with confidence.

These questions may seem simple on the surface, but how you answer them can reveal your mindset, communication skills, and whether you’re the right fit for the role.
Learn how to:
✅ Identify what the interviewer really wants to know
✅ Craft authentic, thoughtful responses
✅ Stand out from other candidates by showing emotional intelligence and self-awareness

By the end, you’ll feel prepared for even the trickiest parts of your next interview — and ready to land that dream job!
Watch here: https://youtu.be/0_ln0NKwrEU

11/07/2025

This November, I wanted to do something a little different. I want to tell you about 4 recent clients who found jobs - but I want to do in a case study format.

In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t share a lot of success stories. It’s not in my nature, because it feels a little braggy (yes, I should probably coach myself on that!). Plus, I like to respect my client’s privacy. But, I also know that what works for one person doesn’t work for another!

But I know during difficult times we yearn for success stories to help show us it’s possible to do the big hard thing, which right now is to find a great job.

So instead I’m going to present 4 case studies of clients who have had success, so that you can learn from them and see if you can apply that learning to your own search.

These are blind case studies - no identifying features of my clients so that you can try and picture yourself in this scenario.

Meeting New People Can Lead to Jobs

Background: this client came to me to explore a career change. They came from the event space but wanted out. Through my career exploration process we determined that a role in Customer Success or Relationship Management in a large enterprise organization would be perfect.

The Challenge: my client had little to no contacts! And while their resume got some interviews, they weren’t what they wanted.

The Solution: So we employed an extensive networking strategy.

My client adopted the mindset of “my next job can come from anywhere” and during a fitness class at their gym, they got to talking to the person beside them…
…who just so happened to be a Talent Acquisition Specialist at a financial services institution!

This person became my client’s advocate - putting them forward for multiple roles, pitching them to hiring managers. It lead to 3 or 4 sets of interviews. Unfortunately, it also led to rejections but the Talent Acquisition Specialist knew my client was the right fit for the organization and kept at it.

The Outcome: It took a few months but eventually the Talent Acquisition Specialist put my client forward for the right job and the right hiring manager leading to a job offer and a start date in just a couple of weeks from now!

My Key Take-Away: this isn’t the first time that a person in a client’s real life becomes key to finding a new role and I know it won’t be the last. But it’s still my key take-away.

But here’s how you can do this. It’s simple yet hard (because it does require being vulnerable!)

When they ask you:

How are you?

Instead of following social norms and saying “fine” or “good” say:

“Honestly, I could be better. I’ve been looking for a {name the job} job for a bit now, but I just got rejected again (or it’s not going great)”

It’ll feel uncomfortable but people really want to help others out, and this vulnerability will ignite a need help you!

So let me know - are you going to try this out this next week?!

11/04/2025

Can you wear jeans to a job interview?
The answer depends on more than just the dress code.

This week’s Tuesday Tidbit breaks down when it’s okay—and when it’s not—to dress casual.
Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/ldbS8wO2_JI

10/31/2025

So if you already know that your New Year's resolution will be to find a new job, I have an important message for you…

…because you’re probably thinking, you’ll do nothing until then.

Okay so let’s say you do that. Here’s the problem:

You’ll be spending January getting READY to start looking instead of actually looking.

Probably missing some incredible opportunities.

Let’s avoid that. Let’s get you ready NOW so that you can start the year off right.

That way you don’t miss any opportunities.

So I’ve got your plan. I’ve kept it as simple and easy as possible. It’s 6 weeks and only has one task per week! If you start on Monday you’ll be done by the holiday break!

Week 1: Know what you want in your next job!

Most people start their job search by updating their resume, the problem? That means that resume is typically more about your CURRENT job (that you don't want!), instead of your NEXT job (the one you do want!).

Get clear on what you want to see in your next job so that your resume focuses on the future you.

Need Help?

Watch this YouTube video for help DM me and I'll send you the link,
Week 2. Write Your Resume for that job

I believe in foundational resumes, ones that get interviews but also only take 15ish minutes to customize for job postings.

Here’s a YouTube training that will help you with that, DM me and I'll send you the link
Coming next year, I'll be hosting quarterly Resume Writing workshops with the Burlington Public Library, so watch out for that if you want a live training!

Week 3. Write a Cover Letter

When I hear that people don't send a cover letter, I shake my head. But when I hear that people spend an hour writing customized cover letters for every job, I also shake my head!

We need 1 cover letter that's focused ON HOW AMAZING YOU ARE, that's it! Cover Letters are generally expected - so you need one. But they're also notoriously NOT READ very often, which means let's not waste too much time on them.

Head to this YouTube video to watch and learn how to do it - DM me and I'll send you the link

Week 4. Optimize Your LinkedIn

We want to attract recruiters to you (but we also don't want to alert your employer) - which means I have 2 YouTube videos for you to watch - DM me and I'll send you the link

Week 5: Figure out your Targets

Who will be your references? What companies do you really want to work for? Who do you know there? Who will you want to connect with in the new year?

This gives you the foundation of your networking strategy because job searches need a balanced approach, one that isn’t just job boards!

To learn more about Impactful Networking Strategies, DM me and I'll send you the link

Bonus question: should you reach out to anyone over the holidays - it’s a great networking season!

Week 6: Start Storytelling

The last week of your prep! This should bring you to the week of Dec 13th. I want you to think of stories - you don't have to write anything down! But as you're commuting or walking or shopping, maybe think of some of your wins and then tell a story (in your head) that you would tell in an interview.

And yes, I’ve got for video for that! DM me and I'll send you the link

So let me know - are you going to do this!?!

Take Care,
Sara

10/28/2025

Life happens—sometimes you need to cancel an interview.
This week’s Tuesday Tidbit covers how to do it professionally, respectfully, and without burning bridges.
Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/aotV6mxU31I