I was a Business Improvement Manager who had somehow lost control of my career focus. I was working for a renowned international company that didn’t seem to appreciate or know how to utilize my skills. My confidence in myself and what I had to offer suffered and I couldn’t seem to turn it around from a downward spiral. After all, if my company couldn’t see the value in my skills, who would?

Signing up with EPR was a gamble but one I decided to take because the alternative of a mediocre job was no longer attractive.

The process itself I was prepared for being quite difficult and painful knowing that it would involve a lot of self analysis. And I won’t lie, some of it was. However, it is a big testament to Andrew that I can honestly say that it never actually eventuated in this way. Andrew made it so much a comfortable, humorous journey that I was having too much fun to find it insurmountable. Yes, there were times when it was a little hard and I seemed to get stuck but Andrew would gently encourage me until I was ready to face the next step.

With his help I was able to assess what it is I wanted, not only out of a career and job but also out of life and how to match the two. Initially, I didn’t know whether I should consider an entire career change or continue to use my current skill set. Together we determined that my existing skills are a perfect match for what I love to do but up until this point I had never completely understood them or matched them to an environment that complemented my goals and values. That sorted, we moved on to exploring industries and companies that captured my interest to identify what would be a perfect match. Nine months after my first meeting (there were a few stops and starts along the way at my own request), I found myself being offered my dream job with another international company that I had networked into. Not only was it my dream job, but they created it for me after recognizing an ideal fit in goals and values.

Thank you EPR for all your support and in particular to Andrew, Faye and Russell who made this journey the best and most rewarding roller-coaster ride I’ve been on.

DH

On reflection, I thought I should write a thank you note for the absolutely fantastic work done in assisting me with my career transition.

At the time of accepting my job offer, I had been short-listed for six out of seven applications. This led to a situation of simultaneous job offers for two positions, while being in the last two candidates in three of the other positions still being processed.

In the end, the most difficult part was deciding which job to take!

What was of most value for me was learning how to focus on achievements. This provided the confidence to feel comfortable in selling myself, which I had always found difficult.

GC

Over a number of years, I must have interviewed dozens of people for various positions, but it’s not until you attend an EPR course that you realise how little you know about the techniques of interviewing or more to the point, about being interviewed.

NS

I had previously used an outplacement service, but have found in so many ways EPR provided a real and total solution that far exceeded my previous experience.

I initially commenced a job search to replace the job I had, whether as permanent or contract but all the time feeling that a career change was required. The process took almost five months, with a lot of time off in the middle for family matters (EPR helped here too). Even when I had contract roles EPR was still keeping me focused on the main game—finding my new career.

EPR’s software, methodology and one-on-one coaching and mentoring was able to assist me to clearly define and pragmatically assess the real world options that enabled forward focus on my chosen career path. The specialties of the EPR staff came together to assist me to target and approach my desired new career, to structure my application to my prospective employer and to achieve a fantastic result of a hole-in-one. THE JOB I really thought that I could do and really wanted.

Thank you EPR!

MB

Relocating to Melbourne after completing my MBA, I found it very difficult to find a company that would utilise my skills and experience. Taking a job in an unrelated field, I began to lose my self confidence. I had become complacent in my attitude towards my future and even considered returning to the USA as Australia did not seem to offer the path I had strived to achieve.

After I made the decision to quit my job and look for a future, EPR offered me the opportunity to learn about myself – my goals, aspirations and most importantly my career. You and your staff assisted me in my personal development and allowed me to build my self confidence back to a higher level! I must admit, I was sceptical about the programme, but after biting the bullet and taking the plunge — it was FANTASTIC!

I gained experience in interview techniques that I did not possess and you enabled me to refine my resume and presentation skills. Most interestingly, I found the seminars in “networking” to be the most useful as after two contacts I was offered a job — I would never have believed that this method would work — seeing is believing!

The skills EPR helped me to refine have already served me well in my new position and making an INVESTMENT IN MYSELF has certainly paid off!

EH

The transition between professions is never easy at the best of times.

It is with great pleasure that I am able to report to EPR news of my success in securing a permanent position with a reputable international property development company.

This success has not come without careful long-term planning, commitment, persistence and the support, skills and confidence EPR have provided to me.

The art of ‘networking’ resulted in securing the opportunity to be included in the interview process. The skill of interview technique and confidence helped capture the interest of the interview panel.

The current career transition is a very critical one for me, and I can now look forward to improved happiness and prosperity in future, thanks to EPR.

DM

This letter is to say how much I appreciated your efforts and consultation while I embarked on my search for a new career outside Australia. My career move benefited extremely well from your extensive experience in multinationals and overseas, particularly in Asia.

Thank you for your fantastic advice during my final career negotiations. I am thrilled to achieve the objectives we set together in an industry currently in the state of a severe downturn:

1. A senior role with one of the world’s leaders in telecommunications
2. Work location in PR China
3. A considerable increase in remuneration and responsibility

The job interview workshops were excellent, particularly as the whole experience of observing others and improving myself was a really enjoyable way of learning.

I will be recommending your services to everyone I know who is looking for a new career direction and to maximise their potential. I know that one has already started to work with you.

EZ

The seminars and one-to-one sessions at EPR helped me to identify what I really wanted to do and provided me with the skills I needed to reach my goal in securing a new career within the logistics field. Using the skills I picked up at EPR I have now embarked on an exciting new career as National Operations and Customer Service Manager with a large Australian logistics company.

In the past I had fallen from one job to the next and had ended up being dissatisfied with what I was doing. The skills I acquired at EPR not only helped me secure this position but will help me with my career development in the future.

Again, my thanks to all at EPR. I hope you all appreciate the sense of achievement and fulfilment you bring to the lives of friends and customers.

SM

Having been involved with EPR from both sides of the fence, being an employer who used the services to assist my employees, and then ultimately using EPR in this same manner, I am delighted to say that the way in which you say to corporations you will assist their staff in career guidance and outplacement, EPR and its people are true to their word and company goals.

From the career advice, to the critiquing of resumes and interview techniques, the forums with other people and the workshop, all were very valuable tools in assisting me to develop a new career.

However, there is one technique that I now firmly believe to be the most relevant way to securing your own future. Using your network of contacts. This networking is not just direct people you know, but second, third and even fourth hand people you or your contacts know. These were the most valuable leads I found, and ultimately my new destiny came from the networking through contacts. I would not have realised this if you and your fellow colleagues had not opened up this world of employment opportunities to me.

Once again, thank you for your support, direction, critiquing and friendship over the past four months. I also express my gratitude to Dale and Faye, and the other staff at EPR that I met. Their continuous concern for my family and I was most appreciated as we moved on with life and opened new doors for both of us to follow.

GL

I have accepted the position of General Manager E Commerce Services for the Asia Pacific region.

It is absolutely certain that I would not have been able to have identified, found and won this position without the help and preparation EPR provided. I would also emphasise that from my time working with EPR, I have learnt a great deal not only about winning positions but also about setting personal targets and attaining them.

I would take this opportunity to thank you all at EPR and for your patience and outstanding professionalism.

NM

The ‘hidden market’ system worked brilliantly for me. Upon completion of my coaching in initial skills I had found that the papers were not advertising the type of position I wanted (although I could have filled many of those advertised), so the hidden market was the ideal solution. I had tremendous success in making new contacts in industries (where I knew nobody) and found that everyone was helpful. Some people couldn’t do enough, even offering jobs along the way.

Practising, drilling and rehearsing certainly paid off during every step. Especially for the final interview when I knew I had the interviewer sold in the first four minutes.

My experience stands testament to the tremendous change of direction bringing success that can be achieved with the right help. I shall have no hesitation in recommending EPR’s professional services to my friends and anyone seeking professional career management.

GY

It is my pleasure to report today that I accepted an offer of employment as a Technical Manager.

Make no mistake, I would not be in this position without EPR. Your workshops were a revelation: the positive changes in outlook, approach and self-confidence I underwent were remarkable and produced immediate results. Indeed, one of the interviewers at … was taken aback at the transformation between January and now.

I have become tireless in singing the praises of EPR, but not just because I am another “success story”. People use EPR to achieve career transition, but this is really only part of the story. Of equal importance is that the skills learned and impact on self-esteem can be used throughout one’s career. The ability to sell oneself has application in numerous situations beyond the resume and/or interview.

JH

The recent bad experiences in the workforce had a negative effect on me. I had actually started to believe in the negative things my boss kept telling me, was lacking confidence and had zero career direction. Like the majority of people, I was applying for jobs well below my skills and qualifications, when a marvellous person from an IT recruitment agency picked up on my hidden talents.

He suggested visiting EPR. I was touched that a complete stranger saw my potential in a professional role. EPR changed my way of thinking. As the weeks went by, you helped me to develop people and career management skills that will stay with me forever. For the first time in my life I actually knew what type of job and company I wanted to work for.

Three months later, I am working in a first rate company. The job did not exist but was created just for me. No messing around with, “We have to interview another batch of people and will get back to you.”

EPR prepared me in a professional way for working for a first class company. Provided me with the confidence, people skills, a positive outlook to life, a professional touch, the feeling of importance and pride.

In the past 12 months I have bought a quality car and a fabulous Arab horse. Yet the best thing I have spent my money on was the careers development course at EPR. This has opened the doors of opportunity, ability to make friends easily, how to deal with arrogant people and personal development resulting in an excellent job at a substantial salary increase. They say money can’t buy happiness. But money did buy me happiness. The fee was a small price to pay for such wonderful improvements towards life and happiness.

BL

I don’t mind admitting that I was a little sceptical when I first decided to work with EPR on arriving in Australia, but you very quickly gave me the disciplined and structured approach to my career search that I needed.

Your coaching on the ‘hidden market’ and your skills workshops on networking have paid off handsomely, allowing me to build in a short space of time a really useful group of professional contacts in the aviation industry that has grown and strengthened. Equally helpful was the coaching and role play training in interview skills: so much so that my first two interviews both resulted in firm job offers!

Last but not least, I have actually enjoyed the career search process and have felt a real sense of personal growth and development through the experience.

TW

Today is the first day of my new job and I couldn’t have got it without you and EPR.

A year ago I was stressed, unhappy in my job and unable to see a way to find another, more challenging and rewarding position. After 18 years in academia I was burnt out and ready for a change but I was convinced other work cultures would not suit me and that academics had difficulty adjusting to different environments.

The personal support seminars and professional help I received from you and EPR helped turn those negative perspectives around. My greatly improved CV, the excellent coaching you gave me on interview techniques and my own changed attitudes got me this job over 70 other highly qualified applicants.

The interesting aspect to all of this is that the position as advertised was not quite what I was looking for but EPR had trained me to think about approaching employers and discussing my unique abilities with them and I did. The CEO then contacted me and urged me to apply so that I could be interviewed and considered in a managerial role.

LB

I contacted EPR earlier this year at a time in my life when I was at a loss to know which direction to take. I had tried unsuccessfully on many occasions to relocate to Melbourne and was disheartened with the whole process.

With your extensive knowledge and supportive guidance I worked my way through the work requirements. There were many times that you challenged me, and times I resisted what you were saying to me. However, together, we have achieved a great deal.

One of the aspects of your guidance that I really appreciated was your ability to help me look at the ‘bigger picture’ and broaden my thinking.

I can say with total conviction that working with you and undertaking the program changed my life, and for that I thank you most sincerely.

My message to any prospective clients of EPR is ‘take a chance, embrace the program and you will be amazed at the results’.

HD

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you so much for the support, guidance, knowledge and ‘prodding’ (in the best sense of the word!) that you have provided over the last few months. I would not have in my difficult endeavour of changing the direction of my career from a corporate trainer to a member of senior management without the mentoring that you have so generously provided.

My decision to use EPR to help me through my career crisis was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my professional career. Despite the initial huge investment, I believe that the skills I have learned from you, the readings and the workshops have proved invaluable and will continue to do so over the rest of my career lifespan.

As you would already know, I have spoken about my great experience with EPR and referred you to many of my friends and even clients.

RT

There are at least three things about EPR that I found especially useful during this challenging time of career change:

1. A systematic and focused approach which provided me with many insights into the career transition process and made the task more manageable and achievable.
2. Caring professionals with a clear vision to improve the process which inspired me with confidence in approaching the task and provided me with just the right amount of professional support and guidance.
3. The practical approach which gave me the tools needed to successfully manage my career transition.

RB

As you know, I have been travelling to and from Berrigan in NSW every week for several years now with obvious disruption to family life. I had made numerous applications for a variety of positions in Melbourne without success. (A strike rate of about 5% in gaining a first interview and zero success from that point.)

With your help in developing a strong impacting CV, I achieved an interview strike rate of 80% (4 out of 5) and gained second interview in 75% of cases (3 out of 4). As part of the ‘marketing document’ set, the covering letter and follow up letters were also of great significance. It was a matter of altering a bland letter to something much more professional and impacting and your help in doing this was also invaluable.

You also helped me immensely in presenting myself in the appropriate professional, enthusiastic and confident manner at interview. Your advice in terms of focus and cutting out irrelevancies and ‘waffle’ was of great value. You taught me to slow down and think of the listener as well as developing my own listening skills. It seems to me that this is the essence of good communication in life generally. Thank you for that.

My career goal of finding a position in Melbourne has always been there. However, the clarity gained by defining the goal, altering it to the right position and then writing it down and locking it in, helped immensely in developing the confidence and determination required.

I will certainly recommend EPR’s services to other executives I meet who may have a need. As I see it, that is probably all of them if they wish to advance their careers.

MM

My association with EPR could be described as the classic ‘before’ – no interviews and no work over a three month period and ‘after’ – I was achieving contract work and not less than one interview per week for a permanent position; ultimately being offered a position which I really wanted.

DR

Having spent many years in senior executive positions with blue chip Australian and international companies, I thought I knew how to go about securing a new job.

I was wrong: without the professional support and truly outstanding coaching that you provided to me, I would probably be still looking and waiting for potential employers to call me. You showed me and I learnt from you the art of networking which in the end helped secure the job that I wanted.

Thanks to you, I now realize that I can use my networking skills at work, with my colleagues and managers, my friends and really in any professional or social situation that I find myself.

Thanks for providing me with lifetime networking skills which enabled me to secure the position of Vice President with responsibilities across Asia Pacific and Japan.

I highly recommend your services to anyone wanting to achieve more in his or her professional career.

ZB

After achieving in several management roles over my career I took the opportunity to take a break and assess where I wanted to go in my career. Having started on my six months break away from work I realised that not only did I not really have a process to work out what I really wanted to do next, I also did not have the daily contact with colleagues to bounce ideas off. After a short while doubts quickly crept in about what I really wanted to do, should I just take the first offer I got?, etc, and I needed assistance.

Having seen your advertisement several times as I perused the papers I decided to give EPR a call and check whether they had the solution to assist me in moving forward. I was pleased to find that EPR offered the complete package and whilst I didn’t need all that was on offer I was happy to join up knowing if I did need help in any area it was readily available.

Whilst currently I find myself once again in a senior role managing change in an organisation,. I know I am here because I want to be here and not just for the money. I also use my newly gained knowledge from EPR to constantly assess opportunities from my growing networks for the next time I seek change once again.

I have recommended EPR to several people since last year and know that at least one person has signed up and is also very happy with the process.

AW

The enthusiasm and professionalism of you and your team is first class. The three areas I felt particularly supported with were:

• Resume writing and refinement. I feel that I’m much more ‘saleable’ now due to a concise, succinct and impactful curriculum vitae that clearly highlights my skills, achievements and experience. A prospective employer will be left with a favourable impression after seeing my resume, thus increasing the prospects of reaching the interview stage.
• Weekly workshops. I learnt the importance of effective networking, letter writing and developed strong interview and personal presentation skills. Many executives are selected for their jobs based on the impression they make at the ‘panel interview’ stage and your role playing and simulations during the evening workshops gave me greater confidence and skill in being able to effectively sell myself.
• Personal coaching. This is your organisation’s greatest strength. I was under prepared and quite nervous before my panel interview for this new position. Your coaching and personal attention in readying me for my two hour interview underpinned my success. Clearly you have an intimate grasp and understanding of the HR industry. The questions you told me I’d be asked, the panel asked. Thanks to your coaching, my responses were powerful, clear and sensitively self-promoting. In short, I felt confident and ‘bullet proof’ before and during the interview.

Your responsiveness and commitment to your clients’ success is top class.

JM

The transition period was not an easy one for me to adjust to and your support and the confidence you engendered was invaluable. You enabled me to never lose site of the objective and encouraged me to tackle the task with military precision.

Please thank Steve for me. Both of you provided the skills, knowledge and confidence for me to feel 10 feet tall when I walked into important meetings and interviews.

Above all I met some wonderful helpful managers and professionals during my networking, and I state without reservation that “NETWORKING IS POWERFUL STUFF”.

PM

The role I will be undertaking reflects a good fit with my personal objectives of wealth creation, effective information management with a strong results focus and all on a package that represents a 45% increase on my existing benefits.

I must admit that since redesigning my resume and updating my job hunting skills I received a lot more interest from potential employers and achieved a stronger focus on what my next role and company was going to be. It enabled me to weed out those companies who I thought did not manage their information effectively and would not be able to create competitive advantage in the future.

Once again there is blue sky in my career path and a big thanks to EPR for your assistance.

AS

I am writing to commend EPR on the excellent assistance and support program that was provided to me during my recent career transition.

Your personal guidance in coaching, testing and clarifying my future career goals was invaluable.

In particular, I found that EPR’s approach in assisting me to secure the right employment position was of great assistance. The formal components of the workshop groups provided the opportunity to either relearn or validate a number of important technical skills in seeking employment. The workshops provided a forum to ‘fine tune’ key presentation skills to a potential employer. The informal supports were equally as important and I found that your listening skills, reality checks and positive approaches in assisting my pursuit of another employment opportunity highly beneficial.

As you are aware, I have already referred a colleague to utilize your highly professional service and would have no hesitancy in continuing to do so.

MC

I came to EPR as a general dentist with the hope of pursuing a Master’s degree in Orthodontics in the US. Gaining entry into any orthodontics course is extremely competitive let alone when the program is half way around the world.

After I explained my plans, situation and the process with EPR, the staff worked meticulously through my resume and other documentation to gain the best result. My personal consultant, Deb, was not only extremely competent but also enjoyable to work with.

Having not had formal interviews for jobs, etc in my life, learning this skill was pertinent for success. The thoroughness and inspirational atmosphere at the interview skills seminars will always be highly valued by myself and I am sure by the other participants.

I believe EPR gave me the polish and finesse to ‘get me across the line’. I always felt that I had a good chance but were it not for the guidance, advice and training at EPR my success would not have been as great as it was. In the first instance, EPR’s assistance with the written word secured me a solid number of interviews across the States and Canada. But then EPR’s interview skills instruction helped me to perform to my optimum at the interviews and then to gain a place at one of the greatest universities in the world: Harvard University. Out of a total of 250 applications, 25 people were invited for interviews, and six selected into the course!

Thank you all at EPR for giving me the edge and confidence to really sell myself and my achievements in a positive and natural manner.

IL

Every aspect of the EPR partnership was of tremendous benefit to me. Particular aspects of the program deserve a special mention. The career assessment and planning phase helped me focus on and clarify what I really wanted for my career. The value assessment exercise was enlightening and rewarding and was pivotal in assisting me set my future career direction. The hidden market and interviewing workshops were very informative and well presented.

I really enjoyed the one-on-one sessions that we had. They were valuable in helping me to formulate my ideas, prepare for interviews and develop negotiating skills.

I unreservedly recommend your services to anyone committed to making the transition to a new career or role.

DM

I would like to thank you and your colleagues at EPR for the guidance and support you have provided me over the past few months. In my case the process of managing a career transition post MBA studies was significantly enhanced by the partnership with EPR. By focussing on key achievements my resume was certainly transformed into a more compelling marketing document. Moreover, my interview skills and confidence was also improved by the video and group feedback sessions.

The importance of developing strong networking skills is a major theme espoused by EPR. This is something that will no doubt be of benefit in terms of my future career progression.

KP

This career was exactly what I was looking for. This letter will not truly be able to express the depth of my sincere thanks to EPR for your enlightenment, guidance and empowerment in my career search. Having been through your workshop program and being totally focused on my mission as a result was the key to my success I’m sure.

The company interview went very well, I was confident and well prepared. They called me on the 21st and asked me to come in today (Monday 24th) to meet some other members of the team. I left there today with the position secured, and the salary package I had only hoped for was mine.

Please give my sincerest thanks to all those in your team that helped me and let the students know it is worth every minute of the challenges EPR set to reach your personal best.

PU

I am looking forward to a much more exciting position than my current role, and have probably increased my base salary alone by around 30 per cent.

Much of that is due to EPR. I’m sure I could not have made the transition from public sector economist to private sector risk manager without your help. In fact, I can only look back in horror at my original CV and interview technique. The training made a world of difference.

LG