Hi, I’m Leslie Ayres, The Job Search Guru. With almost 20 years as a headhunter and career coach, I’m an expert in what it takes to get a job, every step of the way.

My #1 tip as a job-search coach is that a little soul-searching and self-examination before you start your search will catapult you forward toward the life of your dreams.

If you want a faster, more focused and more successful job search—one that wins you the job you really want, in the career that fits you like a glove—then the place to start is by getting a clear picture of who you are and what you want, in your job, and in your life as a whole.

In other words, your job search should start with you and your dreams.

Each of us is unique, with our own unique set of talents, interests and experience. There is no one-size-fits-all career guidance, and you are the expert about what you want to do, even if you don’t yet realize it. Who else knows as much about what makes you happy and lights you up? Who else will be happier when you’re in your dream job, the one that gives you more of what you want in every area of your life?

You’re the expert on you, and you’re the only one with the access to the hints and clues about what makes you tick. It’s all there, waiting to be revealed… and all you have to do is ask the right questions, and then let what you learn give you your personal checklist of the right career for you.

My book “Be Yourself & Get the Job (and Life) of Your Dreams!”, is designed as an easy do-it-yourself workbook with these revealing questions and exercises to guide you, step-by-step, as you look at all the areas of your life, past, present and future, and find the patterns and themes that will give you a new freedom to see your career from a new perspective.

Over the years, I’ve shared my secrets with thousands of people at every level, in one-on-one sessions, workshops and seminars. I’ve been quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News and Wired Magazine about job-search and hiring trends, and invited to speak at the World Trade Club’s ‘Symposium on Careers in International Business,’ and for groups like Women in Technology.

I’ve spent plenty of time on the other side of the desk as a job-seeker in my life, too. I’ve been a day camp counselor, office gopher, a typist and secretary. I drove the neighborhood ice cream truck for a summer, sold insurance policies door-to-door, delivered singing telegrams for Western Union (off-key, I’m pretty certain), and was a switchboard operator.

And those jobs were all while I was still a teenager.

I worked my way through college as a bartender, edited and published guides to executive education programs and minority business publications, worked for a branding company that came up with high-profile product names, was administrative manager for an oh-so-hip ad agency, managed an international pop band on an island in Thailand (an opportunity that changed my life),and continue to do consulting with entrepreneurs.

And did I mention I’ve spent almost 20 years as a recruiter, executive search consultant and job-search coach?

As you can see, I’ve enjoyed a wild variety of jobs in my career, which suits me, because new challenges and adventures, and a change of pace every few years, is on my personal checklist for the life of my dreams. But no matter what else I do, I always return to recruiting and job-search coaching. It’s one way I “have it all” in my life… a career where I can continue to develop and grow, and I keep open the option for new adventures, too. That is part of the life of my dreams.

I’m a real person with a big heart and a whole lot of experience in the most effective way to get a job. My advice is solid, because I know my stuff. And I walk the walk. I’ve created a life that works for me on just about every level. It truly rocks, and it fits me like a glove. It’s an evolution and a work in progress, and moves closer to my vision every day.

Your life will look entirely different than mine, of course, because you’re you, but the secrets to getting there really are universal… know yourself first, learn what the ingredients are that you need to be happy, and then take actions to get that rolling.

It’s not rocket science, but it won’t happen on its own either. That’s why I wrote the book, to share these secrets in an easy-to-follow way so that anyone who is ready to invest a little time can get started living the kick-ass life they deserve, too. People like you, who are ready to use this job change as a catalyst for positive change in every part of your life, and to get back to the joy of being who you are.

My focus has always been on daring to express your individuality in a cookie-cutter world, which is a good idea no matter what town you live in or what kind of company you work for. My greatest goal is to inspire you to be yourself, and to show you how to get the job and life of your dreams. I believe with a passion that the world will be a better place when we all can be ourselves in all aspects of our lives… on the job, at home, and at play.

I confess my motivations are selfish, too. I love being around happy, self-expressed, confident people, and the more our lives suit us, the happier, more self-expressed and confident we are, and the more we inspire people around us to be who they are, too. It’s a win-win-win.

All the best to you,
Leslie