Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Pippin
Hi Don, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I worked on both sides of the table as a recruiter and a hiring manager for Fortune 100 companies like Honda Motor Company and Bank of America. I left corporate America to start my recruitment agency, and today, I recruit for companies like Canon and McKinsey.
The other side of my business is dedicated to personal branding for job seekers. This came about from seeing thousands of resumes passed over because they weren’t hitting the hiring teams’ expectations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I started my business on Fiverr, a freelance platform, where I was competing against offshore service providers that charge a fraction of my prices. The first obstacle was getting clients to trust me enough to buy my service, with no reviews. I needed a way to stand out, so I positioned myself as a service that’s not for everyone. I think of my business as a luxury car – not a $300,000 Bugatti but a $100,000 Range Rover. I’m not for everyone’s budget, and that’s okay! I created copy, assets, and a website that was compelling and professional. People really thought they were interacting with a large brand instead of a single service provider. Today I still compete against cheaper services, and now AI.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
area Talent is a personal branding firm. Just like companies hire marketing agencies to help promote their products and services, people do the same for a job search to market themselves. I am known for helping Hollywood entertainment executives shine on paper and digital through resume development, LinkedIn profile optimizations, and persona building. I’m different from other firms because I do the work – it’s not handed off to another person or agency to complete the project. I am also very liberal with my time. Where most charge by the hour, I don’t limit my time with my clients – probably because I love meeting people, and we usually have interesting conversations. For those who don’t have the budget for my services, I worked with a team of developers to create an AI resume builder (areatalent.ai) that people can use for free.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It’s essential to have flexibility and a plan. I’ve always been a virtual business, so COVID didn’t shut me down, but I’ve seen how my clients have had to adjust quickly to changing workplace dynamics. Like the IT professionals I work with, who had to ready thousands of employees to a work-from-home model within days, to the workspace planning professionals who are now tasked with bringing employees back and what that looks like post-Covid.
Pricing:
- Career Coaching is $200 per 30 minute session
- Resume Development is $550
- Packages start at $800 and include Resume, LinkedIn, and Cover Letter
- AI resume builder is free to try
Contact Info:
- Website: https://areatalent.com
