Case Study: Conquering the Mountain Pass - CoreTactic Client Success

CASE STUDY: From Mountain Commute to Dream Interview in 30 Days

How CoreTactic's comprehensive career coaching transformed Seth's job search journey
70%+
Resume Match Rate
30
Days to Interview
15%
Salary Target Increase

The Mountain Pass Challenge

Seth, a skilled manufacturing professional with a background in engineering, found himself in a career situation that many professionals dread: a job with a punishing commute that was significantly affecting his quality of life. Working as a Product Development Manager, Seth had to travel approximately 90 minutes each way to work—traversing two mountain passes with a 3,000-foot elevation gain in Utah.

"I spend three hours a day in my car," Seth explained during his initial consultation. With winter approaching, weather conditions would make his already difficult journey potentially hazardous, adding urgency to his job search.

Despite his technical expertise and valuable experience in regulated industries, Seth wasn't getting responses from potential employers. "I'm finding that even with my experience, I'm not even hearing anything back," he shared during his initial consultation with CoreTactic.

Nick Rustad, Career Coach
Today's job market isn't just about experience—it's about how you present that experience. Seth had the technical skills and background, but his application materials weren't getting past the initial screening systems. This is a common challenge even for highly qualified professionals.
— Nick Rustad, Founder & CEO, CoreTactic LLC

Job Search Roadblocks

After reviewing Seth's situation, CoreTactic identified several key challenges preventing him from making progress in his job search:

  • ✕
    Resume not optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), resulting in low visibility
  • ✕
    Lack of quantifiable achievements and metrics to demonstrate value
  • ✕
    Inconsistent formatting and improper tense usage throughout resume
  • ✕
    Insufficient preparation for behavioral interview questions
  • ✕
    Uncertainty about salary negotiation strategy and approach
  • ✕
    LinkedIn profile not aligned with career goals or optimized for recruiter searches

The CoreTactic Solution

CoreTactic developed a comprehensive approach to address Seth's challenges and transform his job search strategy. This multi-faceted plan leveraged both cutting-edge tools and personalized coaching to maximize his chances of success.

  • ✓
    Complete resume transformation with professional summary, key accomplishments section, and ATS optimization
  • ✓
    STAR method interview training through mock interviews and personalized feedback
  • ✓
    Salary negotiation strategy focused on achieving a 10-15% increase from current compensation
  • ✓
    LinkedIn profile optimization to align with professional goals and improve visibility
  • ✓
    JobScan and AI-assisted tools to tailor applications to specific job descriptions
  • ✓
    Pre-interview research and preparation to build connection with interviewers

The Transformation Journey

Day 1

Initial Consultation

Seth connects with CoreTactic, sharing his challenging commute situation and frustration with his current job search results.

Day 3

Resume Transformation

CoreTactic delivers a completely revamped resume with professional summary, key accomplishments section, and proper formatting for ATS optimization.

Day 7

LinkedIn Profile Optimization

Seth's LinkedIn profile is optimized to align with his career goals and improved for recruiter visibility.

Day 10

Mock Interview Training

Seth completes mock interview sessions, mastering the STAR method for behavioral questions and learning techniques for technical interviews.

Day 14-20

JobScan Implementation

Seth begins using JobScan to optimize applications for specific job descriptions, achieving match rates over 70% for targeted positions.

Day 30

Interview Success

Seth secures an interview for a Senior Process Development Engineer position that aligns perfectly with his expertise in regulated industries and manufacturing processes.

Transformative Results

CoreTactic's comprehensive approach to job search strategy transformed Seth's prospects dramatically. By addressing the fundamental elements of modern job searching—optimized documents, interview skills, digital presence, and negotiation strategies—CoreTactic helped Seth overcome the challenges that were preventing him from advancing his career.

70%+
Resume match rate for targeted positions using proper keyword optimization
30 Days
From initial consultation to securing an interview for a Senior Process Development Engineer position
15%
Target salary increase through implementation of effective negotiation strategy
If I can have my stuff looking half as good as what you've got, I think it's going to help me out a lot. The personalized coaching and tools you've provided have given me newfound confidence in my job search.
— Seth, CoreTactic Client

The CoreTactic Difference

  • ✓
    Personalized Strategy: Customized coaching specific to Seth's manufacturing engineering background and career aspirations.
  • ✓
    Cutting-Edge Tools: Access to JobScan and Claude AI for resume optimization and interview preparation.
  • ✓
    Comprehensive Support: Beyond just resume writing, Seth received continued coaching through mock interviews and preparation for the entire job search process.
  • ✓
    Data-Driven Approach: Resume analysis and optimization based on real ATS scoring metrics rather than general advice.
  • ✓
    Psychological Insights: Coaching on interview techniques that leverage human psychology and build memorable connections with interviewers.
  • ✓
    Results-Focused Approach: Emphasis on securing not just any job, but the right position with appropriate compensation.

Ready to Transform Your Career?

Experience the same personalized career coaching that helped Seth secure an interview in just 30 days. Schedule your free consultation today.

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Nick Rustad Career Coach CoreTactic

"Let us give you a boost to exceed your goals! Faster..." - Nick Rustad, Co-Founder

At CoreTactic, we believe that every individual's unique journey enriches our collective experience. Our mission of transforming careers and businesses is fundamentally rooted in the understanding that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are essential to innovation and success. Read our career coaching blog or business coaching blog to learn successful tactics.

We embrace and celebrate the full spectrum of human diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical ability, religious beliefs, political perspectives, and educational background. Our commitment to inclusivity isn't just a statement – it's woven into the fabric of how we coach, consult, and connect.

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