Real Client Stories
Curious to hear what it’s like to work with a career change coach? Read on to hear from my clients.
Many people arrive believing they should be able to handle this alone. What these stories show is that career change often happens during moments of real instability including burnout, layoffs, industry contraction, values misalignment, and more when clarity is hardest to access and the cost of the wrong move is highest.
Coaching didn’t give them certainty. It gave them structure and support while they moved through something genuinely hard.
Hear from Pivoters
People who change careers without a demotion or a pay cut
Sarah Campbell pivoted from higher education / ed tech student success into fintech SaaS customer success.
Lena Cherian
One post pivot, from retail pharmacy to pharmaceutical
“The greatest thing Cristin did for me during my time with her was build up my confidence.”
For context, I had recently made a pivot in my career to the pharmaceutical industry after over a decade in retail pharmacy. I was very new to the pharma industry and in a consulting position, so I knew this role I had taken to exit the retail (pivot) world would be short term. I started looking and applying for new jobs on my own, with some “no thank you,” no interviews, and mostly no response at all. Around the same time, I was seeing some of Cristin’s fb posts about how she had helped people land their dream jobs. As much as I wanted the help, I was not keen on the idea of spending money on a career coach because I was pretty confident that I could still somehow find something on my own.
Fast forward a few months and I still had no interviews and I’m still coming across Cristin’s posts, so I decided to reach out. She was very quick with her responses, and I was able to set up something that was affordable. At that point in time, my goal was to land a dream job like Cristin had mentioned she had helped others do, but in reality, I was skeptical that it could happen for me, due to me being a recent pivoter.
Cristin did a lot for me in the time we worked together. She helped me build up my resume so it could work well with an ATS system and for the human reviewing it. She gave me strategies on how to apply, where to apply, and motivated me to keep going when I felt like I was getting nowhere. In addition to all that, the greatest thing Cristin did for me during my time with her was build up my confidence, she helped me believe in myself in the midst of getting hit with a lot of rejection from employers.
Everyone likes stats, so here’s some of mine – I applied to over 300 jobs, was invited to interview with 2 companies, and received one job offer. The numbers don’t look like they were in my favor, but the good news was… the one offer I received was my dream job! Cristin did it!! Just like I had read on her fb posts all those months earlier, she helped me get my dream job. Things that seemed like a lofty impossibility became reality for me with Cristin’s help… so what are you waiting for??
Noga La’or
From Higher Education to Education Assessment
“Working with Cristin was a fantastic experience. She is thoughtful, supportive, and truly knows what she’s doing.”
Before working with Cristin, I was feeling anxious about the possibility of being laid off and knew I wanted to make a career, or at least an industry, pivot. I just didn’t know where to start or how to approach it.
I decided to work with Cristin because I needed professional guidance. The job market has changed so much in the past few years, and I knew I couldn’t navigate it effectively on my own. I also needed my resume and LinkedIn profile refreshed, and with a full-time job and a newly completed master’s degree, my plate was completely full. Cristin’s Done For You service was exactly what I needed.
Working with Cristin was a fantastic experience. She is thoughtful, supportive, and truly knows what she’s doing. She spent a great deal of time getting to know me, my background, my experience, what I enjoy doing, and what I don’t, so she could run the strongest possible job search on my behalf. Her interview preparation was also incredibly helpful and confidence-boosting.
Just nine weeks after beginning the application process, I received a job offer, something that has never happened that quickly for me before. The role checks all the boxes: it’s local (no more long commutes!), in an industry I love, and one where I already have years of experience. I’m so grateful for Cristin’s guidance and support throughout this process.
Laura McCarty
From SDR to Account Management
“I know I made an amazing decision working with Cristin, and if I had to go back and do it all over I wouldn’t change a thing.”
I was feeling uneasy due to recent layoffs at my organization, and felt I lacked the tools to navigate a new job search. Having just transitioned from education to EdTech, the corporate landscape felt unfamiliar. A former colleague recommended Cristin on LinkedIn, and upon her response, I knew she’d be a perfect fit. Her empathy for my situation, honest approach to next steps, and confidence in finding a better role made me feel more at ease immediately.
Cristin took the time to understand my ideal work environment and what mattered most in my next role. With clear goals established, we began strategizing. Her invaluable advice covered applying to jobs, crafting resumes, optimizing my LinkedIn profile, and interview techniques. Throughout the extensive 14-company interview process, Cristin was my advisor, confidante, and cheerleader. Her honest opinions and guidance boosted my interview confidence, transforming me from feeling unsure of my skills to interview-ready at any moment.
When I finally received an offer at a mission-driven company with significantly higher pay and enthusiastically accepted, Cristin celebrated with me. In my new role, I feel valued and as if my opinions matter, and that is largely due to the work Cristin helped me to do to understand my professional needs and strengths. I know I made an amazing decision working with Cristin, and if I had to go back and do it all over I wouldn’t change a thing. If you are feeling one ounce of doubt about any part of a new job search, I highly recommend Cristin. She truly thrives off of helping others by guiding them with her expertise.
Michelle Wooten Everett
From Admissions to Program Management
““
I reached out to Cristin, rather hesitantly at first since I’d never engaged a coach before. Cristin met me where I was, LISTENED intently to what I needed, and did not pressure me in any way. After our initial consultation, I knew she was the person I needed to help me move into my next career.
Working with Cristin was such a pleasant experience. She is an authentic and professional person who brings her whole self into her role, and works so hard to help! She pointed out areas of my resume and cover letter that needed tweaking that I’d never have noticed, and she coached me on things to say and ask in an interview to make sure that the employer really saw me. One thing that helped me was that Cristin looked at my credentials, listened to my stories of my experiences, and truly encouraged me. She pointed out strengths that I hadn’t focused on and that I needed to bring to the fore when speaking with interviewers. Cristin also helped me to know what job titles to search for in my job searches which would be most aligned with my goals, and empowered me to ask for the salary that I deserved. That may seem simple, but in my state of mind having been in education for decades, I couldn’t think outside of the box and I was in a bit of a rut. Cristin opened that box right up for me!
While I know this may not be the case for everyone, the very first job that I applied for after having been coached by Cristin, I was offered an interview. After the interview, Cristin and I re-convened and she asked important questions and gave insight as to what to do in a second interview–which I ended up being offered! At every step in the process, Cristin was there to offer guidance. Ultimately, I was hired and have been in my role as Program Manager for three months now.
I can honestly say that I do not believe that I would have gotten the job without Cristin’s help. Her help with word choice, formatting, and interviewing skills was instrumental in my success. Her encouragement, positive attitude, and genuine interactions with me were invaluable. I am grateful and I highly recommend Cristin to folks going into their first jobs, and especially to folks who are trying to pivot mid-life like me. She truly is an expert at what she does and is phenomenal in her ability to communicate her expertise.
Maricar Ramos
From People Manager to Individual Contributor
“If you’re looking for a pivot, if you are looking for someone to support you, if you’re looking for someone who is really, really knowledgeable in terms of how to do a career pivot, Cristin is the coach to work with.”
Before we started working together, I was in a job that was fairly challenging for me in a lot of ways. I decided to work with Cristin specifically because I was looking for a career pivot. I really wanted to find a job that fed my spirit. Fully remote! I wanted it to be a job that was super related to my experience and also that allowed me to excel at it while at the same time giving me the mental and emotional capacity to do some other things in my life. For example, I wanted to go through a coaching certification program, and I wanted to consider going back to school.
Cristin was so helpful! She helped me revise my resume. We had lots of conversations about my work. We talked about what it was about previous positions that didn’t work out, and what it was that I was really looking for. I’m a also massive preparer for all interviews, and Cristin would look through my 5, 6, 7, 8 pages of interview prep. And she gave me tips on how to update LinkedIn, helped me through the job search, and discussed all my job interviews with me. And after just three or four months of working together, only the last two where I was actually applying for things, I was able to land a job that was fully remote, pays me significantly more than what I was making before, all in a field I’m excited about.
I highly recommend Cristin. If you’re looking for a pivot, if you are looking for someone to support you, if you’re looking for someone who is really, really knowledgeable in terms of how to do a career pivot, Cristin is the coach to work with.
Eileen Brumitt
from higher ed to SAAS customer success and starting her own business
“Due to Cristin’s guidance in the Pivot Process, I feel like I am in control of my own future and career.”
I was very fortunate to meet Cristin just as I decided to look into changing careers from higher education to something (anything) else. I found the Pivot Process an important part of my transition from a 15-year career in higher ed to a new understanding of my identity as so much more than my career or job. The PP supported me in figuring out a new direction at a crucial time after higher ed work led me to burnout, frustration, and financial stress.
The Pivot Process gave me a framework to reimagine work and what I actually want. Due to Cristin’s guidance in the Pivot Process, I feel like I am in control of my own future and career. I feel confident that I can apply for, interview for, and get jobs, but I also know I have the ability to choose and make changes if I need to. This is an amazing gift. In higher ed, my path always seemed predetermined. Now I feel like I am able to pivot as many times as I want to and chase any career that interests me. I now have a new remote job in a new field and a new business that I am growing.
For me, the Pivot Process is not just getting a new job. It was also figuring out what I actually want to pursue and how to best use my skills. Authenticity is the key to the process. After a career in higher ed, finding out what I authentically want in how I am treated at work, how I work, and how I want to be paid was not obvious or easy. It is a process that is well worth the time and effort.
Jennifer Irwin
from higher ed to technical program management
“In the end, I accepted a fully-remote position, above my target salary range, doing work that I enjoy and wanted to do more of – all the major points I had hoped for but didn’t think would be possible.”
Cristin is simply amazing! I had been thinking about looking for a new job and possibly changing careers for awhile, but I was unsure if I actually wanted to do so. Sure, there were some things missing, but I was actually pretty happy in my previous position and was scared I would regret leaving. On the other hand, I had some big changes in my personal life (like a new baby!) that made me feel a change was necessary. Plus, I was starting to feel a bit stagnant after being at my previous organization for a decade and felt my only future opportunities there would be another lateral move, so the idea of something new was intriguing. I made some half-hearted attempts at applying for jobs, but between working full-time and caring for a new baby, I just didn’t have the time or energy to put in the effort I needed.
I reached out to Cristin after speaking with a friend who had worked with her and had nothing but glowing reviews. From our very first meeting, I felt seen, understood, and encouraged. She assured me that the things I wanted were not unreasonable and were actually very possible. I was also so impressed at how well she knows her stuff – Cristin really understands today’s job market! I felt I’d be in good hands if I worked with Cristin, and I was right. She was with me every step of the way – from figuring out exactly where I wanted to pivot to to resume revamps to interview prep and more. On my own, I was barely receiving rejection emails, much less any interviews, but after I started working with Cristin, the interview requests came rolling in. And even though I hadn’t been on an interview in 10 years, I felt confident and prepared on interviews, thanks to Cristin. While job hunting is rarely considered fun, Cristin makes the whole process exciting and enjoyable. Working with Cristin is like working with an expert, coach, friend, and cheerleader all in one.
In the end, I accepted a fully-remote position, above my target salary range, doing work that I enjoy and wanted to do more of – all the major points I had hoped for but didn’t think would be possible. I thought all I wanted was too much – too much to ask for or more than I “deserved” – but not Cristin. She encouraged me, believed in me, and expertly coached and guided me the entire time. I cannot sing her praises enough. Working with Cristin was, without a doubt, one of the absolute best investments I could have made in myself!
Heather Miller
from onsite supervisor to remote independent contributor
“[Cristin] is deeply knowledgeable, supportive, thoughtful, energetic, and invested in what’s good for me – not what anyone else, including her, might think is good for me.”
Before working with Cristin I was a little bit terrified. I had chosen to leave my previous full-time role after a long tenure and I wasn’t sure what was next. After taking about a year off to reset, I was ready for “the next thing.” But… I still didn’t know exactly what it could be, and everything I was seeing and reading about the job market made finding a new role feel overwhelming and scary. Flexibility and tending to life outside of work were top priorities, so I wanted a remote role. But I was afraid finding one might be impossible in this market. And I hadn’t done a job search in over a decade! I had no idea what a modern resume looked like, how interviewing had changed, or even where to start my search.
A friend first recommended Cristin to me a few years ago. We worked together briefly, and I ultimately decided to stay where I was at that time. Now that I was actively looking and ready for a change, I knew working with Cristin again would be perfect. She is deeply knowledgeable, supportive, thoughtful, energetic, and invested in what’s good for me – not what anyone else, including her, might think is good for me.
Working with Cristin was awesome. She helped me see potential that I couldn’t see in myself, including how my skills and experience could transfer to roles and industries I hadn’t necessarily considered before. Her insights into the job market, interview prep, how and where to look for jobs, and how to choose what to apply to were incredibly helpful. She made the process feel clearer and more manageable, breaking it down step by step so I wasn’t so overwhelmed. Instead, I felt more prepared than I thought was possible. I don’t know how I could have navigated this without her… unsuccessfully I suspect!
I ended up staying in my industry, but made a change from being an on-site director/supervisor in a small shop to landing a fully remote, independent contributor position with no supervisory duties and a full team of colleagues working in the same department as me. Exactly what I was hoping for!
The next time I’m ready for a change, I will without a doubt work with Cristin all over again. She’s worth it, and made me feel worth it too.
Christie Nadratowski
from ed tech to it customer success
“Cristin helped me secure a 60k overall raise in my earning potential from the first search to the second. It’s hard to imagine doing that on my own!”
I was stuck in a low energy, low motivation space that made it hard to do anything to help better my situation. My work environment wasn’t terrible, but many promised promotions had fallen through during the pandemic, and I was feeling trapped. I knew that I needed to do something to change my life but couldn’t bring myself to put the effort into it. Cristin is the best organizer, motivator, and friend you can have through this process. Every time you tell a casual story about a time when work made you feel worthless or icky, she’s right there reminding you that that’s not normal or acceptable, and you don’t have to tolerate it. In her Executive Coaching process, she’s amazing at giving tips and helping you develop techniques to mitigate or manage, but she can also quickly help you pivot to job searching, if that’s ultimately what’s best for you. She’s flexible, kind, and supportive, and you get far more than your monetary investment in your sessions out of working with her. I couldn’t be happier! Cristin has helped me see the value that I bring to organizations, and has given me strategies for how to continue to have those conversations moving forward. I feel very seen and heard by her!
Cristin worked with me through not one, but two back-to-back job searches. I had originally accepted a role that sounded too good to be true, and indeed, it was. So I reached out to Cristin again and within two days, I had a new working resume and cover letters. Within two weeks, I had secured a new offer! On top of that, Cristin helped me secure a 60k overall raise in my earning potential from the first search to the second. It’s hard to imagine doing that on my own! I have been referring her to everyone I know because she is so worth the investment in yourself!
Christine Palmer
From Admissions to Customer Success
“Cristin took the time to dig in and truly understand my goals. She is absolutely hilarious and easy to talk to. She has a way of empowering you through simple conversations.”
Before working with Cristin, I felt stuck in my career. I worked in my career for 20 years and I have helped to develop many people, which I love, but I wasn’t pouring that same level of energy into myself. I was at a point where I didn’t feel like I was progressing and I was definitely not getting compensated enough. I didn’t have a clear path forward that I could see.
A friend of mine referred me to Cristin and I kept the referral for 3 months. I kept visiting her page and started following her. Her posts were interesting and informative so I decided to give her a call. I loved her title, Possibilitarian. There’s always a way! It resonated with me and I booked my first consultation. My decision was solidified as soon as we met! I loved her energy, her questions and the clear expectations she set for our journey together.
Working with Cristin was an absolute joy! Don’t get me wrong, I had to put in the work, but Cristin made it our journey manageable. I came in with the expectation that she would help me, but the level of assistance she provided exceeded my expectations. She kept me on track. She helped me remember all the successes and accomplishments I had over the years. She took the time to dig in and truly understand my goals. She is absolutely hilarious and easy to talk to. She has a way of empowering you through simple conversations. Each conversation lead to more development, goal setting and homework. Patience in this process is key, but doing the work is even more important. Cristin makes the work feel possible!
The result was that I got everything we worked to achieve. I was able to pivot from my 20 year career and take my skill set elsewhere. I increased my salary by 38k. My confidence soared and I am currently working for an organization where my expertise and talents are respected. I was able to remain working remotely, along with the benefits that were important to me. Every goal we set from our initial conversation, was achieved 100%.
And now I feel amazing! I finally buckled down and poured into myself. I focused, set a goal and worked my plan. I took my own advice that I have shared with others over many years and it feels incredible to realize where I am today. Happy, excited and challenged! All the goals I set out to accomplish have been achieved. There were days where I was exhausted, but always looked forward to hearing those words, ‘Hello Captain, How’s it going?’ I knew that if I stayed the course working with Cristin I would achieve what we set out to do and we did just that! Many times we feel stuck and sometimes spin our wheels thinking we’ve exhausted all possibilities. If you do not take the time to explore your path and where you want to be, you will be in the same spot this time next year. If you don’t do anything else today, reach out to Cristin Downs for a consultation. Just talk to her and I am proof that there is always a way.
Cristin, I cannot thank you enough for the encouragement, the work and the inspiration you provided during our time together. We did it! I cannot thank you enough!
Your extremely satisfied client,
Christine Palmer
Sarah Fischer
One Post Pivot, From Teaching to Learning Experience Design
“I’m better off having worked with Cristin, and I’m so grateful for our time together because I can’t imagine what job I would have taken if I hadn’t.”
Around Thanksgiving, I found out I was being laid off on December 31st, and I started working with Cristin shortly afterward. I had lofty goals and expectations for finding THE job I wanted, and her truthful yet kind approach helped me reset to the reality of the job market in early 2024.
I applied to A LOT of jobs during the process, and the tech job market felt like a boxing match. Dodging jabs like low salaries, terrible benefits, and interviewing red flags. With Cristin in my corner to validate my feelings and remind me of my worth, she allowed me to persevere and ultimately land the job with everything I was looking for a step into leadership, a remote job, and a 25K pay raise.
Beyond that, she helped me grieve the loss of my previous team and job and gave useful advice and feedback, like noticing I have a higher energy level when I stand vs sit for interviews. She used her network to share jobs I’d be interested in, didn’t let me settle when times got tough, and made me laugh when she could tell I needed it most.
I’m better off having worked with Cristin, and I’m so grateful for our time together because I can’t imagine what job I would have taken if I hadn’t. Having her in my corner made the job search feel like a fair fight because her expertise, intuition, and authenticity made the process much easier.
Leslie Connelly
Pivot, From Ed Tech Sales to Sales Coaching and Training
“If you are at a crossroads and need someone who truly knows how to navigate this, hire Cristin. I will absolutely hire her again.“
When I was laid off after 11 years and over $150 million in sales in EdTech, I didn’t just lose a job. I lost the identity I had built around it. I knew I wanted something different, but I had no idea what that looked like or where to even start.
I had tried everything on my own. I was exhausted and fed up. A colleague pointed me to Cristin, who had already helped many people from my company through previous rounds of layoffs.
I decided to work with Cristin because I needed more than job search help. I needed someone who could help me figure out what I actually wanted next. Through a deep exploration of my values, my preferred work environment, and an honest look at what I had loved and dreaded in my previous role, she helped me get clear on the direction I actually wanted to go. That outside perspective was something I truly couldn’t have given myself.
I chose her Done For You package and it was the best money I have ever spent. They say finding a job is a full time job, and I felt every bit of that truth before working with Cristin. Handing that over to her saved me enormous time and stress. She completely rebranded my LinkedIn, rebuilt my resume, and applied to jobs on my behalf. I was still searching on my own at the same time, but every single interview I landed came from Cristin. Not one of my referrals got me through a door. She cold-applied and got me interviews at over 10 companies!
Her weekly coaching sessions were just as important. I didn’t realize what I was doing wrong in interviews until she started prepping me. And the results spoke for themselves: I made it to the final round at every single company I interviewed with. She didn’t stop when I got the offer, either. When I hit a bumpy start at my new job, she made time for me and gave me advice that helped me find my footing.
I now work as a Sales Coach and Trainer at an education startup, doing work that genuinely excites me and puts everything I built over the past decade to use in a new way. I would not have found this role without her. I would have missed it completely.
If you are at a crossroads and need someone who truly knows how to navigate this, hire Cristin. I will absolutely hire her again.
Viola B.*
from small business owner to working for someone else
“Cristin helped me sift through everything I’ve done and organize the info in a way that would reflect me well.”
I contacted Cristin when I happened across a job posting that looked like a great fit for me. It had been years since I’d even thought about my resume and I didn’t know how to best articulate my unique work experience for a “regular” job. Cristin helped me sift through everything I’ve done and organize the info in a way that would reflect me well for this particular job. She also helped me understand what to do so that I could utilize this for any future applications if that one didn’t work out. Thanks to her, I feel so much more confident in the process of how I represent myself to potential employers.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Joanna Novelo
from small business owner to working for someone else
“Thanks to Cristin, the process was quick and actually fun.”
Tammy Bean
from higher ed to human resources | global environmental non-profit
“Cristin pushed me to do the hard work to see the skills that I had taken for granted were skills that others wanted and needed in their organization.”
Nicole Greene
From performing arts to media operations
“A cheerleader, a sounding board, and a teacher, Cristin encompasses all the things you need in a coach, wrapped up in a friend.”
Everyone needs a Cristin in their life! She will challenge the way that you think about yourself and push past your internal limitations to bring out the very best of who you are. Cristin has the innate ability to take the preciousness out of our work, making it infinitely simpler to refine the items in our resumes and cover letters to tell the best story of ourselves. This is invaluable, as it is NOT something that you can do for yourself. Cristin helped me to pivot the knowledge I already had toward a new field and encouraged me to define my skills, even when I was hesitant to do so. She helped me package myself into a product that others could understand, and she did so with a combination of encouragement, praise, and pragmatic advice.
Cristin is as invested in your success as you are, if not more so. A cheerleader, a sounding board, and a teacher, she encompasses all the things you need in a coach, wrapped up in a friend.
E. R.*
A pivot to a restructure rebound
“I would absolutely work with Cristin again (although I hope I don’t need to a 3rd time!). I always recommend her to friends too. She has really helped build my confidence back up.”
I had been a follower of Cristin’s work for some time. When I finally was getting to my breaking point of a very toxic job situation, I reached out to work with her. At this point, I was feeling very low on myself and was doubting what I could do after being in this industry for 20+ years. From the first call, I knew I made the right decision to work with Cristin. She was a loud cheerleader from the start and really helped me overcome all my imposter syndrome.
Cristin has an uncanny ability to really pinpoint your strengths and wishes, and use those to help craft your next story. The way she can construct a resume is artistic, and the speed in which she does it is unmatched. I was always saying WOW with every new resume and cover letter. I sound amazing (to which she will say you ARE!!)! And that really helped build up my confidence again. She also was instrumental in helping with interview prep. I had not needed to do a formal interview in over 15 years, and when I did a few on my own before working with her, I knew I needed help. The prep was invaluable and I went into every interview confident. She also was so supportive when I made the decision to take a pivot role and leave an industry that I felt was my identity and really helped me work through all those emotions.
Funny enough, my first pivot role ended up not being my last. About 1 year in, I reached out to Cristin again as my position was being transitioned into a lesser role with significantly lesser pay. Since I had already worked with her in the past, I wasn’t as panicked about it as I would have been just a year before. With Cristin’s help with resume and cover letter updates, I was able to land a role that was more in my wheelhouse and double the pay in a short time.
I would absolutely work with Cristin again (although I hope I don’t need to a 3rd time!). I always recommend her to friends too. She has really helped build my confidence back up.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Victoria Ng
from performing arts to higher ed to recruiting ops
“Cristin’s a wonderful human being and easy to get along with – essential when you’re looking for someone to take you to the next step!”
Cristin is by far the most thorough, engaged, and encouraging career coach I’ve worked with. Her attention to detail and patience puts her on a completely different level. On top of that, she’s a wonderful human being and easy to get along with – essential when you’re looking for someone to take you to the next step! I cannot recommend her enough if you’re serious about moving forward in your career.
Kyle Fowler
one post pivot, from entertainment to account management to customer success
“She made the “not easy” easier. Cristin was my cheerleader the entire time. And one of the greatest lessons Cristin taught me was to value myself. She has completely changed my perspective on so many things which I can’t thank her enough for.”
I had been a professional performer in the entertainment industry for well over 15 years when Covid hit. Seeing the challenges the entertainment industry was facing at that time, I, along with many others, decided to pivot into my first “corporate” role in the fintech/startup space. And while I did my best in this role, and excelled, it wasn’t something that necessarily brought me joy or fulfillment; although, it did open my eyes to many possibilities. But even still, I couldn’t clearly see where this new career of mine was going.
After only a year-and-a-half, I was laid off from my new corporate position due to downsizing. This left me and my newly-expanded family in one of the most difficult situations we’ve ever faced. I had enjoyed the fintech/startup space but didn’t want to pursue the field I had been in, nor did I want to jump to yet another lilypad and start all over again, at the bottom of the corporate ladder. I wanted more. And what’s funny about that is searching for a new job made me feel I didn’t deserve it.
While reaching out to connections on LinkedIn, I ended up reconnecting with a friend from college who had spoken very highly of having just worked with Cristin, and who had successfully transitioned into a promoted role herself. So, I decided to schedule a consultation. In just that meeting alone, Cristin had shown more empathy and guidance than anyone else I had worked with, guru I followed, or article I had read. She laid out a clear plan of attack – something I desperately needed.
Immediately, I knew this was my coach.
As someone pivoting into a new career from 15+ professional years in the entertainment industry and a year-and-a-half in the corporate world, I was initially very confident in my ability to secure a new fintech job [that I actually liked]. Boy, was I misguided. Before working with Cristin, I had been out of work for almost three months, modified my resume and cover letter multiple times, worked with three other executive coaches, read incredible amounts of content online, had taken a couple courses, and had already applied to around one hundred jobs. And even after all of that, I still didn’t have a clear trajectory for my career. I was burning out. I felt lost.
From my very first session with Cristin, I felt incredibly seen and heard. Cristin took all of my skills and experience and began to suggest some options. One of those suggestions was a path towards being a Customer Success Manager – a role and career I wasn’t initially aware of and now had a new-found interest in. In one session, Cristin had helped me to finally point my compass! This reignited my motivation.
As we continued working together towards our new goal, I was being educated on so much at the same time: the job-search market, interview prep, resume refining, project/assessment questions, LinkedIn, tips, advice, etc. Cristin is a wealth of knowledge and has such a great way of, what I call, “spiking the Kool-Aid” when it comes to explaining the world of job searching. Her ability to inspire and encourage you while still being honest and realistic is something I appreciated and admired so much.
I’ve always been a fan of the saying, “You don’t hire someone for the 99% of the time that things go right. You hire them for the 1% of the time it goes wrong.” And this is where Cristin helped me the most. In a perfect world, I would have found a new job immediately. But that’s not what happened. My job search lasted a total of 8 months (roughly 5 of those with Cristin). There were times I was convinced that I didn’t have enough of the “right” experience to secure a CSM position. And even when I brought up changing our gameplan to Cristin, she encouraged me to stay the course, as that was still what I wanted. She always prioritized MY goals (while spiking the Kool-Aid, of course).
I’m sure most would agree with me saying that searching for a new job is not “easy.” And pivoting into a new industry/career without prior experience is also not easy. So, while my search lasted about 5 months with Cristin, there’s nobody else I would have rather had by my side. She made the “not easy” easier. Cristin was my cheerleader the entire time. And one of the greatest lessons Cristin taught me was to value myself. She has completely changed my perspective on so many things which I can’t thank her enough for.
And then, just as Cristin said it would, it happened. Five months and over 850 applications later, I successfully transitioned into a Customer Success Manager position at a fintech/startup. I feel confident. I feel proud. And I am genuinely excited for my career’s future.Working with Cristin was so much more valuable than I ever anticipated. And now, I am proud to call her a friend. If you’re looking for your next career move, more I cannot wish you than to have Cristin by your side. I’ll refer her to anyone I can. And when the time comes for me to look for my next career move, I’ll be asking Cristin to join the crusade and work with me again. And that genuinely excites me.
On behalf of my family and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, Cristin.
Jennifer Cole
from higher ed to learning and development
“Cristin helped me see my strengths and what opportunities are out there for me and helped me develop a plan.”
I serve in a coaching role myself, so I always thought that I could coach myself on whatever I needed to work on. But I got to a point where I felt overwhelmed and confused and didn’t even know where to start. I needed someone else to help me see things outside of my own perspective, and that’s exactly what a coach can help with! I had a session with Cristin that felt so empowering and energizing. She asked all the right questions that I didn’t even know I needed to be asked! Then she helped me see my strengths and what opportunities are out there for me and helped me develop a plan. I came away from the session feeling motivated, organized, and in control.I’m so grateful for Cristin’s approach. She is encouraging, realistic, and inspiring without resorting to toxic positivity and platitudes. The homework she gave me was the perfect balance of tasks that advance my goals and tasks that support my own personal development.
Carolyn Ansley
from K-12 Education to Learning and development
“Cristin helped me set attainable, yet lofty goals and held me accountable to those goals throughout the process.”
This whole process has given me such a heart for those who are seeking a career change – I’ve gained a perspective I didn’t understand or appreciate until going through this myself. I know the feeling when the last check is deposited in your bank account and you have a mortgage to pay, the e x c i t e m e n t of what you would do if ANYTHING was possible, and the self-doubt that begins to creep in when your application efforts are quashed with the dreaded, “thanks, but no thanks” email. There is so much great information that is available for free on the internet, and I certainly took advantage of that resource, but soon found I was drowning in information and not spending precious time in action. A key person in my support network was my Executive Coach, Cristin Downs.
I’m a huge fan of the coaching model and knew that working with the right person could shorten my out-of-work time gap by helping me stay in motion by working on the right things. I chose to work with Cristin Downs because of her expertise in partnering with career pivoters and found I really appreciated her candor and humor while doing critical work! Cristin has a vast array of resources that I utilized to baby-step through each phase of the career search process and I especially loved that I could work with her at my pace. She helped me set attainable, yet lofty goals and held me accountable to those goals throughout the process. The investment in Cristin’s partnership was invaluable for the skills I gained and for the outcome of our work together – an exciting, new career!
For those who are in the midst of career changes or contemplating a change, I want to encourage you to not do this work alone. Surround yourself with a positive support network and remember that your worth is not tied to your job. You are amazing and worthy and there is a very fortunate organization that will be rewarded with your talents soon!
Mike B.*
From Freelancer to full time employment
“I more than doubled my income and found the work-life balance I had been seeking for years.”
Going from freelancing into full time employment while increasing my income seemed unattainable until I worked with Cristin. She completely flipped what I thought I knew about the job hunting process and gave me strategies, tactics and guidance that no one else I talked to could give me. And it worked! I felt so confident submitting specifically crafted resumes to targeted job postings and knowing exactly what to say (and what to leave out) in interviews. I more than doubled my income and found the work-life balance I had been seeking for years. Cristin’s expert advice and genuine support have changed the trajectory of my life and I am forever thankful.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Amy D.*
from K-12 Education to environment / sustainability
“Cristin has been empowering. I thought that my dream of working less hours and making significantly more money might be too high an expectation, but Cristin encouraged me, saying that this is absolutely a possibility, while remaining realistic about the skills and experience I have.”
I was working as a middle school teacher while constantly feeling like teaching wasn’t right for me. I frequently looked up jobs online that paid better, involved working less hours, and felt more “me” but I wasn’t sure how to begin switching fields. I applied for a few jobs, but never heard back. I was feeling lost and unsure of what was next, all while working too much to be able to breathe and to think of my own needs. A friend who knew of my situation recommended Cristin and bought me a session with her as a gift because she was so sure it would help me.
Cristin has been empowering. I thought that my dream of working less hours and making significantly more money might be too high an expectation, but Cristin encouraged me, saying that this is absolutely a possibility, while remaining realistic about the skills and experience I have. She gave me guidance to update my resume and cover letter, including follow up editing tips, and suggested what online courses and changes I could make to become more marketable. It has been beyond helpful to have someone to check over the resume and cover letter changes I’ve made as I’ve applied to different jobs.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Mason M.*
Return to Work After Being a Stay At Home Parent
“Cristin helped me reframe everything. She didn’t just help me write a resume – she helped me remember that I still had value.”
I spent 5 years as a full-time stay-at-home dad, and when my son started kindergarten, I knew I wanted to return to work, but I had no idea how. My resume felt as ancient as I did, my confidence was shot, and I wasn’t even sure how to explain the gap without sounding like I’d been out of the game forever.
Cristin helped me reframe everything. She didn’t just help me write a resume – she helped me remember that I still had value. She helped me revamp my LinkedIn, showed me how to job search in the modern era (JK but only kind of), and interview prepped me as much as I needed until I actually felt confident again. I learned how to talk about my parenting time and my professional experience in a way that felt honest and strong. Within a few weeks, I was getting interviews. And 3 months later, I had an offer for a fully remote job.
Cristin gave me strategy, confidence, and clarity at a time when I felt completely lost. My family and I are so grateful.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
L. K.*
Non-Profit Pivoter
“[Cristin] helps you see your worth and can articulate it in a way you may never think to do for yourself.”
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
C. M.*
Did a pivot session and decided to stay in current job
“I was impressed with her candor and ability to hone in on critical issues, asking challenging questions that encouraged me to think carefully.”
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Matthew Bassett
Pivoted from Performing Arts Education to Creative Director for a Narrative Audio Company
“Cristin brings a perfect mix of knowledge, experience, curiosity, and levity to what can be scary to so many of us – looking for work and building a resume that best shows what we can do.”
Tina M.*
University Professor
“I purchased a package to continue working with Cristin, because she was able to look at my 20+ page academic CV and help me identify and highlight translatable skills.”
Before working with Cristin, I felt pretty lost and confused regarding my current career choice in academia. A colleague recommended talking with Cristin. We had a brief first conversation, and immediately I felt her positive “vibes.” She listened to my concerns, and thoughtfully helped me identify other options to explore while validating my feelings. I purchased a package to continue working with her, because she was able to look at my 20+ page academic CV and help me identify and highlight translatable skills. She helped me identify industry options, and a clear search strategy. She shared resume tools and gave concrete feedback on my resume and application materials. Throughout our time working together, she continued to be positive and supportive – during a time when I was really doubting my effectiveness and abilities, I really needed that. Because of her extensive experience working with clients, she also talked about what worked with other clients, which helped me see more options for myself. Talking with her helped me feel much more in control of my future and career. While I decided to stay in academia for now, Cristin helped me identify ways to set boundaries, which has greatly improved my sense of work-life balance. I would definitely recommend working with Cristin.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Hear from Job Seekers
People who are looking for work in their current industry
Tim Jesiolowski
Customer Success Manager
“She really listened, she asked the right questions, she gave affirmation and advice, she is “in-the-know” regarding the intricacies of the modern workforce and most importantly, she genuinely cared about me.”
I wanted to take a moment to publicly thank the wonderful Cristin Downs. I am grateful for her and the support and guidance she has given me over the past year. I would be lost without her.
Before I met Cristin, I have always felt a need to talk to someone about my career path, my work ethic, my skills and experience – a “Career Therapist” of sorts. I also wanted someone to review my resume to make sure it truly represented me in a way that was easy to understand. We all need a little affirmation and guidance in life and it’s always ok to ask for help, I just didn’t know who to talk to until I met Cristin.
Turns out, she was the perfect fit for me. She really listened, she asked the right questions, she gave affirmation and advice, she is “in-the-know” regarding the intricacies of the modern workforce and most importantly, she genuinely cared about me. She has a great sense of humor and I always felt our time was well spent. She is just a freakin’ cool person who knows a lot more than I do about career stuff and I love to call her my “Career Therapist”.
Thank you Cristin! You’re the BEST!!
Nikki Livingston
GTM Enablement & Revenue Operations
“Cristin is everything you could hope for in a coach—she’s kind, incredibly knowledgeable, encouraging, sharp, and brings humor into even the most stressful moments.”
If you’re contemplating signing up with Cristin, this is your sign to do it! I truly can’t say enough wonderful things about her—both as a coach and a person. When I started working with Cristin, I was stuck at a company going through constant layoffs. My job security felt unstable, and my anxiety was through the roof. A former coworker (who landed an amazing new role thanks to Cristin!) referred me, and I’m so glad I listened.
Cristin is everything you could hope for in a coach—she’s kind, incredibly knowledgeable, encouraging, sharp, and brings humor into even the most stressful moments. She broke down the job search process in ways that felt practical and achievable, even during moments when I felt stuck. The skills, strategies, and confidence she instilled in me were truly invaluable.
Cristin guided me through rejections, helped me avoid settling, and kept me focused on finding a role that was the right fit. Her coaching went far beyond resumes and interviews—it was a mindset shift. I walked away not just with a great new job, but with renewed clarity, self-assurance, and honestly, a new friend.
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, Cristin is the person you want in your corner.
Sabrina E. Hickox
Senior Program Manager
“[Cristin’s] guidance not only elevated my applications but also reignited my confidence in shaping this next chapter—one that balances my career ambitions with my evolving role at home. I cannot overstate how valuable this experience was or how much I enjoyed working with Cristin.”
After several meaningful years in EdTech, I was impacted by a mass layoff while eight months pregnant. Life is unpredictable, but I’ve always believed in navigating challenges with resilience and intention. For me, that meant taking a brief pause to focus on my growing family while staying engaged with my network and exploring new opportunities.
However, I quickly realized that the 2024 job market was unlike anything I had experienced before. The competition was fierce, with hundreds of candidates applying for a single role. As a busy mom of two, I had little time to research job market trends and develop the right strategy to find a role aligned with my skills and values. I wanted to focus on what truly mattered—identifying companies with strong missions, pursuing roles that matched my experience, and connecting with industry professionals.
That’s when I turned to Cristin through a referral. Having never worked with a career coach before, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but I knew I needed expert guidance to refine my job search strategy, strengthen my application materials, and present my most authentic self to attract the right opportunities. From day one, Cristin’s insights and personalized, voice-recorded feedback helped me sharpen my approach, refine my story, and position myself for the roles I truly wanted.
Her guidance not only elevated my applications but also reignited my confidence in shaping this next chapter—one that balances my career ambitions with my evolving role at home. I cannot overstate how valuable this experience was or how much I enjoyed working with Cristin. If you’re feeling stuck in the job search or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to invest in yourself and take that first step. The right opportunity is out there, you just need the right strategy to find it!
Nela Abey
Development and Communications Coordinator
“Cristin is empathetic, compassionate and approachable – she is truly your advocate.”
Preeti Deshpande
Instructional Designer
“She gave me practical tools and advice that made intimidating tasks like updating my resume and preparing for interviews feel aligned with what I wanted.”
Wendy Lawton
Communications Expert
“Cristin’s energy, responsiveness, knowledge and ability to listen and engage with your personal needs and values makes her a terrific coach. Possibilitarian, indeed.”
Tara Bosler
copywriter & communications manager
“I wouldn’t have been able to embark on another job search with confidence if I didn’t have Cristin’s support. She is top-notch and absolutely wonderful at what she does.”
Cathy C.*
returning to work after being a caretaker
“Cristin helped me understand the skillset I used to manage my parent’s illnesses. I went from viewing that period of time as a weakness in my work history, to having great confidence in being able to speak to how I was able to perform under stress, pressure, and in difficult circumstances.”
When I first came to Cristin for help, I was unemployed, overwhelmed, and hopelessly stuck staring at a blank page that should have been my resume. I had left my last job to be a full time caregiver to my parents, and had no idea how to account for my absence from the workforce. I was also looking to pivot into a new field, and was uncertain how to translate my previous career in the arts into terms and phrases more relevant to a business world. Cristin took the time to talk to me and really understand where I was coming from, as well as where I wanted to go. She helped me understand the skillset I used to manage my parent’s illnesses, and parlayed that into attention grabbing bullet points for my resume. I went from viewing that period of time as a weakness in my work history, to having great confidence in being able to speak to how I was able to perform under stress, pressure, and in difficult circumstances. This definitely became one of my interview strengths! Cristin was easily able to reframe my artistic work history, and coach me in ways to represent that in the most attractive way possible to prospective employers.
After only a couple of one on one sessions, Cristin provided me with an extremely professional, attractive, AI/search engine/filter friendly resume. To pair with that, she also crafted a polished cover letter that can be tailored to prospective employers. I came to Cristin to help me overcome my personal roadblock of resume writing, and she was very successful in tackling that task. What came as a pleasant surprise, was the confidence boost I received regarding my work experience and marketable skills. Cristin is an excellent hype woman! She clearly cares about her clients, and is passionate in helping them reach their true potential. I whole heartedly recommend Cristin in helping you achieve your dreams.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Jim C.*
Law Enforcement
“Everything with Cristin was natural; it flowed like we’d been friends for years. The feedback I was getting was critical and within a short period of time proved to be more beneficial than I can express. She was a stranger. Now, she’s my go-to.”
So, I was hesitant to have an executive coach from the get-go and thought I had all the answers. I was getting interviews left and right, but after 14 years of not having been the interviewee, there was a skillset I needed to dust off. Being in law enforcement, you need to be confident, quick minded, and correct 100% of the time; it’s a mindset you must have to thrive. Well, my wife decided to sign me up for Cristin’s services, it was decided that I’d give it a go! I never do anything less than 100% effort, and this wouldn’t be any different. I had four interviews within two and a half weeks – so its time to polish off my interview techniques and get back to that grindstone. Well, Cristin immediately impressed me with her knowledge, responsiveness, openness and dedication to me as a client. Her insight into what I was doing correctly, and what I could improve was key. I loved working with Cristin and would highly recommend her to anyone having issues from deciding what path they want from life all the way to polishing off those squeaky interview responses.
Everything with Cristin was natural; it flowed like we’d been friends for years. The feedback I was getting was critical and within a short period of time proved to be more beneficial than I can express. She was a stranger. Now, she’s my go-to. If there’s anyone on the fence – take my advice – make that leap. Sign up!
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Tim Losee
Marketing Director
“On top of all the little tweaks that Cristin made to my resume, she also was able to sit down with me and figure out what was lacking in my experience to move my career forward.”
Elisabeth Ng
Senior Project Manager
“Cristin is honest and kind, and I always felt like she had my back throughout the job search process.”
Amy Scaglione
On Air Talent & Lead Spokesperson, Formerly QVC for 18 years, now JTV
“Communicate your story and Cristin will take it from there!”
Partnering with Cristin to craft my resume was an excellent experience from start to finish. I was at a loss with how to approach it all after resigning this past December from a eighteen year long career, and considering a complete career change. My former position was unique, and thus challenging to capture for potential employers outside of my field. Cristin captured the essence of me and beautifully highlighted my strongest skill set by teasing out my core strengths, which can now be more universally applied to a variety of roles. Coupled with this she created three versions of a resume to utilize in various roles as I explore where I want to go next.
Communicate your story and Cristin will take it from there!
E.K.
From Lay Off Announcement to New Role in 4 Weeks
“Within four weeks from the first shock of being laid off I had an offer in hand moving me seamlessly into a new position while still being able to accept my severance.”
When I say Cristin’s work is worth every penny, I mean it!
I was closing out another year of working in marketing for a SaaS company when suddenly I found out that they would be shutting down the entire US team, giving me 2 weeks left of work.
Thankfully I was already connected with Cristin and could share my situation with her and begin working together immediately. This was a HUGE advantage because she helped me update my resume, start applying for roles, and even collect the necessary work examples and results for my portfolio all before I left!
By the time I logged out of my company system for the last time I had already applied to well over 200 positions (fully remote work) and had interviewed with 6 companies. Within four weeks from the first shock of being laid off I had an offer in hand moving me seamlessly into a new position while still being able to accept my severance. This was absolutely mind blowing and I cannot thank Cristin enough for getting me through this incredibly dynamic time.
My best advice is act right away and hire Cristin!
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Jared Bordin
business development
“Cristin’s positive outlook and spirit was contagious and had me feeling hopeful before we even got started.”
Before I worked with Cristin, I was at my wits end. I was laid off from my job and was stuck at a dead end retail job and was extremely unhappy. I had literally applied for hundreds of positions and wasn’t getting anywhere, I couldn’t get an interview or even a response. I knew it had to be something with my resume.
I decided to work with Cristin because of her dedication and her willingness to help. Her positive outlook and spirit was contagious and had me feeling hopeful before we even got started.
Working with Cristin was great. Very professional, always willing to help and always has her clients in mind. She was always available to help me and answer my questions and give me tips. Not only did she help me with my resume, she would give me pointers on jobs to search and how to trick the algorithms on the job boards to show you jobs you’re interested in.
After working with Cristin and seeing how much better my resume looked and sounded, I couldn’t have been happier. Thanks to her, I was able to get a much better job then what I had when I started working with her and even before I started. There is no doubt in my mind, that without Cristin’s help, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.
Melissa Creamer
it project coordinator
“Cristin completely rewrote my resume and I had interviews fast! I ended up getting the second job I applied for.”
Katie Hilbert
Analytical Chemist
“I will always be grateful for Cristin’s expertise, guidance, kindness, and empowering spirit.”
Julie A.*
school counselor returning from medical leave
“Cristin, my life changer! She was so calm and inviting when we met. She made me feel heard and helped alleviate my fears of being stuck.”
To understand how amazing Cristin is, you need to understand my story. In 2017, I had a craniotomy to remove a brain tumor. This changed my life drastically! I barely hung on for another year of work before staying at home for nearly 4 years. This Fall, it was time to reenter the workforce. I was not interested in returning to my former career of school counseling: responsibilities have changed, not to mention Covid. I was attempting to find work in community counseling, but wasn’t hearing yes. I felt disheartened. Going back to work was overwhelming enough. Add in rejection- I was crushed! I felt completely lost and drowning in my inability to move forward. That’s when I reached out to Cristin, my life changer! She was so calm and inviting when we met. She made me feel heard and helped alleviate my fears of being stuck. She opened up doors of opportunity that I would have NEVER considered. One job she suggested is my current job. I am now a remote school counselor and am loving it! It’s pretty much my dream job- direct counseling with kids. Compared to when I worked full time in schools, I work half the time I did before, from my home, and make similar money. I would highly suggest working with Cristin if you’re needing support with your career. She is absolutely amazing! She gave me exactly what I was looking for without me knowing it. I know that she’ll do the same for you.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Pat Canale
licensed real estate salesperson
“Working with Cristin is fun and challenging – her method, laced with lots of good humor and real charm, is constructive.”
I was really in a state, blocked and unable to move forward in any meaningful way with my resume and cover letter but my angel, Cristin, came to the rescue! Knowing she was there walking the walk with me gave me such comfort and her way of extracting relevant information from my many words is truly a skill. I feel such relief; the work was time-consuming but effective. Working with Cristin is fun and challenging – her method, laced with lots of good humor and real charm, is constructive – I’m never disappointed but always really, really happy I spent my time with her, an intelligent, generous and kind person who can make me laugh and make me do the work to get what I need done, done!
Mira Zaki
small business owner
“She was so easy and fun to work with and most of all, I felt empowered! On a personal note – Cristin is truly one of the nicest and most knowledgeable people I know.”
I’m a small business owner in need of health insurance – and Cristin worked with me to create a resume that was a perfect match for a dream company. She was so easy and fun to work with and most of all, I felt empowered! On a personal note – Cristin is truly one of the nicest and most knowledgeable people I know – she was extremely kind and informative throughout the process of helping me revamp my resume. I was stunned to find out that I do not have to fill in personal info such as gender, race, etc. I thought for certain it would lower my chances of finding a gig, but she gave me the ultimate freedom by sharing that it is not a requirement. Thank you Cristin!
Amanda Johnson
event content program manager at amazon
“Cristin helped transform my LinkedIn profile from weak and confusing to powerful with a few helpful suggestions.”
Cristin helped transform my LinkedIn profile from weak and confusing to powerful with a few helpful suggestions. Before her help, I was embarrassed about my page and didn’t know how to best represent myself in a professional way. She took the time to create a video for me that pointed out the areas that needed work and actionable ways to pump up the volume. For example, I had no idea I could add anything more than the college I attended in my education section. Now that section is robust with all of the additional trainings and courses I’ve taken over the years. I now feel super confident when sharing my page to prospective employers.
B.W.*
Sales Manager
“Cristin has an incredible ability to zero in on your strengths and help you articulate them in a way that feels authentic and impactful.”
Working with Cristin was truly a game-changer. From our very first session, I felt like I had someone in my corner who genuinely understood the emotional and strategic challenges of navigating a job search—especially during uncertain times. I came to Cristin feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of my next move. She immediately brought structure, perspective, and a calm confidence to the process.
Cristin has an incredible ability to zero in on your strengths and help you articulate them in a way that feels authentic and impactful. She gave me practical tools, helped me reframe rejection, and made sure I stayed aligned with my goals rather than chasing roles that didn’t fit. Her advice is smart, actionable, and always tailored to what you need.
Beyond her expertise, Cristin is warm, funny, and an absolute joy to talk to. She made a process that can feel heavy and isolating something I actually looked forward to. I wouldn’t be in the role I’m in today without her guidance—and I’m so grateful I found her.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
L.J.*
Program Manager
“Cristin’s musical and quirky approach to even the most dull job-seeking duties brought the entire process to life and made it much more enjoyable than I initially thought!”
Cristin Downs is a brilliant Career Coach who knows how to get the best out of people. I had the pleasure of working with Cristin in 2024 while I was searching for my next career move after experiencing a lay off from a company I had been at for over five years. Her biggest strength is her keen ability to identify working strategies for her clients while also validating and motivating them along the way. Cristin’s musical and quirky approach to even the most dull job-seeking duties brought the entire process to life and made it much more enjoyable than I initially thought! It is without hesitation that I recommend Cristin if you are looking for your next career prospect.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Hear from Leaders
People stepping more into their own leadership
Christie Nadratowski
Vice President
“I went from being stuck in a Sr. Manager role for three years to a Vice President position. In TWO YEARS. It wasn’t a matter of capability. It was a matter of confidence and strategy.”
Two years ago, my career had completely stalled…
After getting hired to work internationally, in a Director role, I lost my job to the Brexit aftermath, and with it, the majority of the career progress that I had worked hard for over the prior seven years. It was a massive blow to my life, and had the consequence of keeping my earning potential low for another five years. (Cristin tells me that this is par for the course with layoffs, particularly for women, but I digress.)
I was frustrated that being an approaching-middle-aged, single woman was becoming increasingly financially untenable, and that no matter how hard I worked, or how good I was at my job, I couldn’t seem to recreate the forward momentum that my career had previously had. So I decided something needed to change, and after a failed and miserable matchmaking experience, I took my refund and invested in myself in a way I had never fathomed before. I hired Cristin and it has continued to change my life ever since.
I went from being stuck in a Sr. Manager role for three years to a Vice President position. In TWO YEARS. It wasn’t a matter of capability. It was a matter of confidence and strategy. Cristin helped me reevaluate my relationship to work, money, and the skill set that I bring to the table. I’ve never felt more sure of my decisions and more empowered to do what feels right for me than I do now.
She’s the ultimate Career Therapist (TM). If you don’t think you know how to handle a really weird situation at work, you talk to her, and you figure out what to do. Sometimes she’s reinforcing that your gut is right, sometimes you’re working together and discussing pros and cons of a few different approaches… and sometimes she tells you a hard truth that you need to hear and are better off for knowing. That kind of honesty is rare to find and far more valuable than the fee she charges.
So what I’m saying is, if you’re really ready to change your life, hire her. Invest in yourself. This is the third time we have worked together on a career search, and each time we do it all over again, I’m better off than I was before.
You absolutely will not regret it.
Kelley Rainey
Director of Domestic Violence Programs, aFamily and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, Inc.
“My time with Cristin allowed me to really think about what I wanted, and what each potential job opportunity could lead to.”
I am so grateful for the coaching I received from Cristin when I was at a part of my career where I was choosing my next steps. I had been drowning in administrative work—which I was good at, but no longer enjoyed. I was missing client interaction. During this time, I had several opportunities, some of admin and some direct work, and I was really torn. My time with Cristin allowed me to really think about what I wanted, and what each potential job opportunity could lead to. I would highly recommend Cristin’s coaching expertise for anyone seeking change and the inspiration to make that change happen.
Erin Ollila
Fractional Marketing Consultant, EO Copy Co.
“Cristin’s able to distill (my problem) down and reflect it back in a way that shows me that I actually had the answer all along—and this makes me feel really confident in moving forward with my decision.”
Cristin is the person that I lean on when I have something that I’m trying to figure out, but the answer just isn’t clear to me. I can go to her and present the problem, and she asks all the right questions to get the right information out of me. Then, she’s able to distill it down and reflect it back in a way that shows me that I actually had the answer all along—and this makes me feel really confident in moving forward with my decision. I gain so much clarity from Cristin’s executive coaching process, and I highly recommend working with her. And trust me here. As an SEO copywriter, I know how to track down the right people on the internet for the job—Cristin is the right person.
Jenn D.*
Director at a SaaS
“I feel more prepared, confident and excited than I ever thought possible in this new high pay and high responsibility role in corporate life.”
Cristin has helped me transition from a freelance work life where I could manage my own time and have a more direct interface with clients to a corporate job where I have to “manage up,” anticipate workplace dynamics and resolve issues with a long term view in a way that is best for me and my employment. I could not have made this transition seamlessly and stress free without Cristin. She knows exactly what my brain needs to make the transition and where I should and should not focus my efforts. I feel more prepared, confident and excited than I ever thought possible in this new high pay and high responsibility role in corporate life.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Elisabeth Ng
Senior Project Manager
“Cristin is a positive and very supportive coach.”
A. F.
Senior Vice President
“[Cristin] helps you root out the cause of that habit, and then helps you make comfortable changes.”
Have you ever run into an issue at work that you needed help thinking through? Like, for example, having some of your employees go rogue and make some pretty terrible decisions that you now need to clean up? Or, having a colleague bully your staff and you need to decide how to handle it in the most professional way possible? Or, maybe your boss is terrible at communication and you need to run interference, but not in an obvious way? Then why aren’t you already working with Cristin??
I have had to work through each of these scenarios in the past several years and I am happy to report that every time, we have been able to come up with the most intentional, professional plan that also protects me from repercussions. Cristin has the ability to see all sides of an issue, from your employees’ perspective, your boss’ perspective, HR’s perspective, Legal’s perspective, etc., and then help you diagram out your options to pick the best one.
She’s also there to tell you when your workplace is taking advantage of you, and help you formulate a plan so that work is still getting done but without overworking yourself. She also gracefully points out where you are shooting yourself in the foot – like, maybe you’re a terrible delegator. She helps you root out the cause of that habit, and then helps you make comfortable changes.
I cannot recommend Cristin more highly as an Executive Coach, and I am grateful for her help every single day! Thank you so much, Cristin!
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Megan K.
Senior Manager at a SaaS
“Cristin saved me with her detailed knowledge about what a corporate structure really expects from a review and how I could meet their expectations.”
My first yearly review at my job was intimidating because they had a much more strict process than I had experienced in other jobs. Cristin saved me with her detailed knowledge about what a corporate structure really expects from a review and how I could meet their expectations while ensuring my target goals worked to my advantage. I felt confident going into the process and I’m relieved to have no worries about meeting my goals by my next review.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Hear from Business Owners
People starting or running their own businesses
Julie Lieberman Neale
Founder, Mother’s Quest
“Working with Cristin is like having a best friend, comedian and business consultant all wrapped up in one.”
Katie Hanus
Founder, The Handmade Life
“Cristin’s One of a Kindness framework gave me the space and structure I needed to get clarity on my values, my strengths, and the content I want to create and share.”
Jody Smith
Founder, Courageous Girl
“It’s hard to capture my attention and this framework was a bit intimidating at first, but I continue to refer back to it time and time again now that it’s done.”
Tia Shearer Bassett
Founder, Theatre Wolf
“Cristin is a fun, clear, and utterly relatable guide. Cristin brings no ego to the table and no showcase of harmful perfectionism.”
Hear from Expats
People building a life elsewhere on purpose
Alison Wofford
Director, Student Experience & Success RMIT University Vietnam
“What most impressed me was Cristin’s deep inquiry to help me self identify my true needs and expectations.”
As Director in student affairs at an international university abroad, I worked with Cristin for 2 months when I needed to reassess my position, career and longterm strategy during an extremely challenging year. I wasn’t sure at the time what was next for me, but desperately needed someone to bolster both my confidence and energy levels to initiate meaningful change in my working life. What most impressed me was Cristin’s deep inquiry to help me self identify my true needs and expectations. Not only did I receive incredibly human and therapeutic advice, I received a whole portfolio of professional deliverables to help me launch my future job endeavors and ambitions. Masterful work compiling my experience into tangible and compelling formats. My portfolio arsenal is now fully loaded, and I’m greatly appreciative of the steadfast support and career boost. She has a gift for championing women as well as education-sector leaders, and is deeply committed to her clients and their success. Worth every penny and a total game changer for helping me solidify my own career identity and my relationship to my work. Hire her immediately!
J.S.
American Expat in the Netherlands, DAFT Visa Holder with a ZZP, Marketer
“[Cristin’s] interview prep and knowledge of the current intense emphasis on projects and performance tasks helped me to stand out.”
In the US, I had a full-time marketing job, and it was a leap of faith to come and start my own business here in the Netherlands on the DAFT visa. I went with a ZZP because the BV requirements scared me a bit. I was able to secure my first two clients fairly easily, but I was having a hard time getting a third. I met Cristin at a local networking event, and she suggested a job search strategy. She helped me find a freelance marketing role that was fully remote and part-time. It was exactly what I needed.
Cristin understood how to position my CV and skills and work with my existing business strategy for my LinkedIn and this job search. Her interview prep and knowledge of the current intense emphasis on projects and performance tasks helped me to stand out. Cristin really knows what she’s talking about, while she also has a marketer sense of A/B testing to see what works when testing is needed. She’s also funny, fun to talk to, and she really does care about you. You’ll be incredibly happy to have worked with her!
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
L.M.
American Expat in the Netherlands, DAFT Visa Holder with a BV, Project Manager
“Her expertise was instrumental in refining my approach, from tailoring my materials to getting me to expand my search out of only Dutch companies.”
When I moved to the Netherlands on the DAFT visa, my plan was to secure one large client, similar to the project manager 9 to 5 job I had in the US, but get paid on a BV. I needed this idea to work and quickly! Luckily, I met Cristin in one of the expat groups within my first month here, and she sold me on the idea of a job search to find that client. And it actually worked! I’m now contracted as a project manager to a remote EU company. Her expertise was instrumental in refining my approach, from tailoring my materials to getting me to expand my search out of only Dutch companies. Her guidance gave me clarity, confidence, and honestly information that I didn’t have access to. I highly recommend her and trying the ideas she recommends to you.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
Harris Pinkham
South African Expat in the Netherlands, Highly Skilled Migrant Visa, UX Designer in Tech/SaaS
“Her guidance helped me move from doubting myself to feeling well-prepared and self-assured.”
Working with Cristin Downs was such a warm and genuinely uplifting experience during my job search. From the very start, she brought a lovely mix of care, insight, and encouragement that really made a difference—not just with my applications, but in how I carried myself overall.
Cristin supported me through every stage of the process, from sharpening my CV and improving my LinkedIn profile to hosting really useful coaching sessions and workshops on interview techniques. What I appreciated most was how personal her approach was—she took the time to really understand who I am, what I bring as a UX/Product Designer, and how I could communicate that with confidence.
Her guidance helped me move from doubting myself to feeling well-prepared and self-assured. Thanks to her support, I was able to navigate the whole process with much more clarity and, ultimately, land my role at Huispedia.
I’m truly grateful for everything Cristin has done for me, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking thoughtful, practical, and genuinely supportive career coaching.
D.M.
American Expat in the Netherlands, Partner Visa, Tech/SaaS
“Her insights were invaluable, and her support gave me the confidence and ability to secure a full-time position with a permanent contract, even as an immigrant.”
Working with Cristin was a game-changer for my career transition to the Netherlands. As an American on a partner visa, I was unsure how to navigate the Dutch job market, especially in tech/SaaS. Cristin didn’t just help me refine my resume – oops CV –, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. She also helped me craft a compelling narrative that highlighted my unique experience and made me stand out to employers.
What set Cristin apart was her ability to adapt my materials as I learned more through my job search. She guided me through the entire process, from identifying the right opportunities to preparing for interviews in a new cultural context. Her insights were invaluable, and her support gave me the confidence and ability to secure a full-time position with a permanent contract, even as an immigrant.
If you’re looking for someone who truly understands how to position yourself for success in a new market, I can’t recommend Cristin enough.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
J.
American Expat in Mexico, Pivot, From Marketing to Account Management
“Cristin didn’t just help me find a new job. She helped me pivot into something that could actually support my life abroad long-term. I didn’t have to leave the life I built behind.”
When I lost my remote job while living abroad, I felt completely untethered. There was no unemployment safety net, no fallback plan, and no time to waste. And on top of that, I could feel my industry shrinking. I knew I couldn’t just replace what I lost. I needed to pivot.
I found Cristin at exactly the right time. She helped me steady myself first, which was great because I was an emotional wreck. Then we got to work. We clarified the kind of work I wanted next, reframed my experience for a new field, and built a job search plan tailored to global, remote-first roles.
Within a few weeks, I had interviews. Within a couple months, I had a new fully remote job with better pay and commission.
Cristin didn’t just help me find a new job. She helped me pivot into something that could actually support my life abroad long-term. I didn’t have to leave the life I built behind. I just needed someone who understood how to help me protect it and keep going.
*Client chose to remain anonymous.
These stories aren’t proof that career change is easy. They’re proof that having support during a hard, consequential moment makes it more grounded and less isolating.
