Paul Upton

LeaderUP

👉 Message me on LinkedIn

I am one of the few career coaches who has Fortune 50 leadership & hiring manager experience. This gives me the perspective to know exactly what hiring managers (not just recruiters) are looking for in a Manager, Director, VP+, how to stand out, and what it really takes to be a top 1% Leader & Candidate!

I have partnered with recruiters, HR leaders, hiring managers, and leaders to understand and distill the most important qualities and traits of successful leaders and how to find these in candidates and develop them in leaders. 

Through all this and hundreds of interviews, I have learned what the Top 1% of candidates do and built a system that works to help leaders, aspiring leaders, and high performers learn these skills and get the jobs & opportunities they really deserve!

► I help YOU master YOUR resume + LinkedIn so you STAND OUT and get NOTICED

► I help YOU learn how to ROCK your interviews and build real, memorable connections with hiring managers & GET OFFERS!

► I help YOU learn the skills to negotiate like a PRO to get the best total compensation package possible

► I really care. My sole reason for LeaderUP is to help YOU find success and fulfillment in your career. Success YOU DESERVE and have earned by working harder, learning more, and putting in the effort to SUCCEED!

I have created the LevelUP Leadership Top 1% Candidate Coaching Program to help leaders get promoted and land their dream jobs using Top 1% Applicant Strategies, leveraging the top SECRETS learned from Expert Resume Writers, Recruiters, Hiring Managers, Leaders, and Top Candidates, as well as many failures, successes, and continuous improvement!

► LevelUP Leadership Top 1% Candidate Coaching Program

MESSAGE me on LinkedIn to learn more and how I can help you!
Email me at Leaderup.Program@gmail.com

Founder, CEO & Chief Career Officer - Career Expert | Career Success Coach | Leadership Coach

MTFH Solutions

Making the Future Happen Solutions was created to help move forward innovative ideas, services, minds and leaders. More info coming soon!

Feel free to reach out directly for more details, we look forward to potentially working with you!

Current Focus Areas Includes:
- Consulting Services
- Leadership/Executive Coaching
- Pre Sales, Sales Strategy & Execution
- Start-up Coaching & Mentoring

Founder & CEO - Lead Consultant & Managing Principal

CenturyLink

Was recruited and brought in to lead the transformation organization of over 150+, consisting of 3 main groups the Data Science & AI/ML team, Business Transformation & Portfolio Management team and lastly the System, Tools and Integrations team. Tasked with using data, automation, cutting-edge innovative technologies to transform the way Lumen North American operations operate.

Scope included all Copper and Fiber networks, national and international, consumer as well as enterprise products and solutions.

Our task was simple, to plan, execute and deliver large-scale transformation efforts, removing over $200M of cost savings and revenue acceleration per year. The complexity came in how to actually do this, having a laser-sharp focus on execution and delivering results, while fostering & maintaining the culture and spirit of innovation.

This included partnering, pushing the limits and innovating with the best minds, companies and consultants in the industry!

Executive Director Transformation & North America Operations

Comcast

Tapped to do what I did in the Xfinity Mobile organization but across all of Comcast's Products and Operations, including TV, Internet, Voice, Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity Home and more.

This new role expanded responsibilities and direct leadership of two additional teams, managing all digital data operations and Adobe Website Tagging and Analytics for all of Comcast Cable.

Consumer Experience Transformation - Director Strategic Enablement and Data Operations

SCOPE:  All of XM Operations | Strategy and Innovation for Data, Product, Design, UX, Customer Support, Retail and Marketing to take the business to the next level |  Delivery of Operational & Data Solutions | Customer Experience Insights and Customer Journey Deep-dives

◾️ Tasked with transforming XM to be customer focused and data driven in all our operational and strategic decisions

◾️ Built out the strategy, plan, change management and delivery of this vision:
      ◽️  Created processes, capabilities and building out a team to enable our data first goals
      ◽️  Defined Requirements, Building ETL and Aggregating OMNI Channel Customer Experience Data
      ◽️  Made data relevant, error free, available, understandable and giving access to everyone in XM
      ◽️  Identified, built and launched tools to enable self-serve analytics & insights
      ◽️  Established structured listening mechanisms to understand what’s most important to our customers 

◾️ Identified and quantified our top business-wide opportunities in our customer experiences and operations

◾️ Delivering cross functional programs and strategic solutions to the top issues across XM saving over $5M annually

Xfinity Mobile - Director Customer Experience Delivery, Operations and Analytics

SCOPE: National Responsibility | +5 major annual programs | $150M Budget | 18 matrixed reports | Leadership of Strategy & Operations of 5,000 Security Technicians | Quality & Performance of Over +600,000 Installations/year

◾️	Lead capital and opex programs to drive key operational and quality metrics including: Tech Availability, DOJ Tech & Order Support, Repeat Rates M1 Churn, Time in Home and NPS, Customer Experience & Install Quality

◾️	Develop requirements for new products and product enhancements based on field, customer insights & NPS data

◾️	Manage field launch of new products, development of install processes and quality controls for professionally installed XH products to drive improved customer experience, NPS and truck roll & call reduction 

Key Achievements:
◾️	DROVE QUALITY & REDUCED CHURN: Designed new metrics, led and nationally launched updates to the installation verification score (IVS 2.0) run on every install, utilizing a structured change management approach.
◽️	Reduced M1 Churn by 50 bps and drove 65% increase in mobile app downloads on day of job
◽️	68% improvement in sensor signal strength quality on new installs, reducing M1 Calls & Truck Rolls
◽️	Developed a dashboard in Tableau for field leads to improve management and performance of KPIs

◾️	REDESIGNED INSTALL PROCESS & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: Led strategy, planning and execution of the initial Perfect Install Program to review the end-to-end sales through installation experience.
◽️	Program delivered 20+ recommendations and 11 core projects to improve the Tech & Customer Experience

◾️	IMPROVED AVAILABILITY & PRODUCTIVITY: Drove the best 0-5 day tech availability and average time to install results in XH history EOY 2017 through strategic project planning & execution 

◾️	REDUCED DEFECTS: Reduced 37% of calls through root cause analysis of DOJ Tech call data, development of solutions and support of the program management of 3 functional work streams.

Xfinity Home - Sr. Manager Tech Operations and Strategy

Verizon

SCOPE: 8 Core Verizon Telecom Functions | 11 major programs | $400M Reduction Goal | 5 Matrixed Leads & 9 indirect reports | Business Transformation Project & Program Lead | Large Scale Change Management & Execution

▪	Internal business consultant working with executive leaders to drive large scale growth & opex reduction programs

▪	Led matrixed & cross-functional teams focused on strategic process, functional and organizational changes and transformational improvements contributing to deliver over $21.5M in hard savings in 2016 and projected $120M.

▪	Led, co-facilitated and participated in over 12 Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma workshops

Key Achievements:
◾️	TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT: Transformation program lead to reduce $1B of WIP to over $400M and intervals from 229 days to 69 days, involving over 8 functional organizations.
◽️	Lead one program pillar and 5 key solution teams to re-engineer project creation, engineering milestones, automation, triggers and KPI’s to reduce +60 days in process time and $16.1M in hard savings.
◽️	Completed complex financial and operational analyses used to develop the strategy, scope and benefits of this large scale executive sponsored initiative.

◾️	DEVICE QUALITY MANAGEMENT: Successfully led a DMAIC program to create and implement a new vendor centric method of testing and validating products, platforms and services reducing overall testing durations and defects by over 75% and an estimated yearly savings of $4.4M.
◽️	All previous attempts had been unsuccessful due to system, reporting and organizational complexities.

◾️	DEVELOPED LEADERS: Coached 3 Green Belts on LSS methodology, tools and project management practices to successfully complete DMAIC and DMADV (Design) projects, leading to two of these green belts becoming fully certified and promoted to full-time black belt roles.

Business Transformation - Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

3rd Rotation - Verizon Leadership Program

SCOPE: Led Prepaid, Tablet Internet Channels, Chat Strategy & Execution and Advanced Analytics & Customer Insights

◾️	OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Designed and led a prepaid chat project to utilize specialized sales chat reps on prepaid pages resulting in a 27% gross add lift and improved customer satisfaction ratings. 

◾️	VENDOR & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: Led vendor management, project design, compensation model, training, implementation strategy and execution for the Verizon Wireless Sales Chat Program 

◾️	BIG DATA: Led BlueKai and Big Data adoption at VZW and developed strategic A/B testing for personalization and landing page optimization utilizing MECLABS, resulting in 20% lift in high-value customer segments.

Internet Sales, Marketing, Chat Strategy and Operations

2nd Rotation - Verizon Leadership Program

SCOPE: Led cell site planning & capacity for over 1200 sites, $400M in assets and $50M in mass calling event initiatives

◾️	BUDGET & FORECASTING: Led mass calling events planning for all of Houston-Gulf Coast region including network capacity planning, budgeting and equipment dimensioning of 85 events / event areas and over $50M in resources and assets.

◾️	CREATIVE INNOVATION: Saved over $9M by leveraging current assets in the maintenance of ALL HGC cell site’s CE, 1X, EvDO and backhaul capacity.
◽️	Co-led 2012-2015 LTE Interface capacity planning of over 1200 NB sites, sector-splits, and small cells.

Traffic, Capacity and Data Performance Engineering

1st Rotation - Verizon Development Program

◾️	ROLE 1 - Led new features, products, quality, reliability and customer experience of the FiOS product
◾️	ROLE 2 - Led the launch, operations, expansion, automation and performance of FiOS Self Install initiative

◾️	OPERATIONS LEAD: Created and led operational activities for the FiOS self-install project which directly led to reaching stretch goals of 11,000 self-installs acceptances by EOY 2011 and an expense savings of over $1.6M. 
◽️	Developed processes, call scripts, M&P’s, trained & led two out-bound call centers for self-install options
◽️	Led transitional & automation efforts of the self-install initiative to improve and scale this project nationally to a projected 70,000 self-installs by EOY 2012 and yearly savings of over $25M.

◾️	QUALITY, RELIABILITY & NEW PRODUCTS: Supported the launch of new FiOS products and improved quality & reliability of existing products and services reducing calls, truck rolls and customer affecting issues by over 40%; including X-box streaming, MRDVR, Flexview enhancements, widgets, Samsung Streaming, MoCA 2.0, MPEG4 and IPTV.

In Home Network Engineer & National Operations Special Assignment

McCreary Roofing Company Inc

•	OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE: Increased speed and accuracy of all new jobs and bid requests by 40% by standardizing the work flow process & increased productivity by implementing a Microsoft Access Database

•	MARKETING INNOVATION: Created a new value added marketing plan & bid presentation pamphlet resulting in 35% lift on accepted jobs.

Engineering, Marketing and Sales Lead

GE Transportation

◾️	BUSINESS PROPOSALS: Managed engineering technical proposals for new and existing markets including the Freightliner Guinea ES44ACi Locomotive worth over $40M; Co-managed all Superskids for ASIA & Russia

◾️	VENDOR & SUPPLIER OPTIMIZATION: Led a cost-benefit proposal to re-engineer GE equivalents to 14 Union Pacific cables, projected to reduce replacement cable costs and lost productivity time by 45%.

Locomotive Proposals Engineer

◾️	LEADERSHIP ROTATIONS: Completed 5 functional rotations in Material, Process, Lean, Quality and Engineering

◾️	PROCESS INNOVATION: Developed and successfully implemented a comprehensive material management and inventory tracking system utilizing Lean Kanban and JIT strategies to systematically automate inventory management resulting in a yearly savings of over $15M. 
◽️	Consolidated over 800 parts and eliminated an average of +5 hours and ~3.5 takt stopping shortages per/wk.

◾️	PROCESS AUTOMATION: Created a material-tracking and process tool that identified and prioritized backlogged high profile items in a continuously moving lean line resulting in Maincab ending 2nd Qrt 2008 on schedule for the first time in over 3 years.

◾️	SAFETY & ERGONOMICS: Led safety and ergonomic projects including installation of pneumatic vices to eliminate 90% of repetitive motion and increasing productivity by nearly 50%.

Manufacturing and Operations Lead

Want to get to your next Career Level? Or into a role you'll Love? ◆ We help you get there! | Sr. Leads ► Managers ► Directors ► Exec Directors | $150K/$250K/$500K+ Jobs

"With no exaggeration- Paul and the LeaderUP program changed my life!" – James
(See more in recommendations)

👉 Message me on LinkedIn

Why Senior Leads, Managers, Directors & VPs choose to work with me:
▶️ You want to break into your next leadership role, get promoted, or move to a promotional opportunity. Maybe you are seeking to break into your next level or senior leadership.

▶️ You're stuck in your current role, not much company growth, or growth opportunities. Or you do not like your current company/role and want to find a better one and level up your career to the one you deserve!

▶️ You're in a job search, you know you are good, but something is missing, you are not getting interviews, or are not getting offers!

▶️ You're tired of being frustrated & wasting time!

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞: I've spent the last 14+ years working at top Fortune 100 companies.
◾️ 10+ jobs over this time and 2 highly competitive leadership programs
◾️ 7 times promoted/found promotional opportunities (often they found me)
◾️ Most recently an executive director at a telecom leading an organization of 150+ people.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝:
◾️ What it really takes to stand out in the Top 1% of leaders
◾️ How to be a great leader and more importantly how to develop this in others
◾️ How to hire the best, I've done over 500+ interviews and hired multiple high performing 10X teams

I am one of the few career coaches who has leadership/hiring manager experience and knows what they are looking for!

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒!

I have put these learnings together and have created the 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐔𝐏 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐨𝐩 1% 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 to help leaders and aspiring leaders reach the next level and land their dream jobs/promotions. 

Are you someone who wants...
✅Wants more MONEY, TIME, FLEXIBILITY, and GROWTH?
✅Gets multiple offers and CHOOSES the best one for them?

And would rather...
✅Follow a proven step-by-step process that works!
✅With the 1:1 support, you need along the way!
✅That takes 70% less time & effort and 99% less frustration!
✅And finally, get that dream job that they deserve and are excited to jump out of bed for?

► LeaderUP Job Offer System & Coaching Program -  Reach out to learn more!

👉 Learn more: message me!

Three years, 60-hour weeks, and all I got was anxiety meds and a pizza party.

That’s not a joke. That’s my review of their “employee experience.”

Here’s the dirty secret about “professional” notice periods-companies can cut your job with zero warning. But when you decide to leave, they expect you to train your replacement. Two weeks. Smiling. No complaints.

How much notice do they deserve when they’ve been burning you out for years?

I watched someone start a new role Monday. First day, her boss listened to her idea and said, “Let’s go with that.” She got a 40% raise. She got real work-life balance. She got respect on day one.

She didn’t apologize for leaving dysfunction. She didn’t feel guilty for protecting her mental health. She didn’t give courtesy to a company that never would have done the same for her.

Stop believing you owe loyalty to companies that don’t value you.

Stop thinking you have to “tough it out” for the sake of professionalism.

The truth is: companies protect their bottom line. You have to protect your well-being.

If a company can let you go with no warning, you owe them the same. No more. No less.

Has a company ever asked you to give more than they’d ever return? How did you handle it?

Share if it’s time to normalize protecting ourselves the way companies protect themselves.

#leadership #mentalhealth #workplace

The hardest part of my career was admitting I needed help.
That night, surrounded by tissues and doubt,

I decided to ask for help. That changed everything.

I didn’t see it coming.

Years ago—after months of late nights and hitting impossible goals—I walked through my front door, hugged my wife, and cried.

Not a little.

The kind of crying where your whole body shakes.

I felt like I'd failed.

Despite pouring myself into every project, there was no promotion. No recognition. No “thank you.”

Instead:
➝ I was told to “improve.”
➝ I was told I wasn’t ready.
➝ I was told I wasn’t enough.

I started asking myself the hard questions.

What am I missing?
Am I a bad leader?
Why does this keep happening?

Fast forward six months—everything flipped.

→ 4 job offers
→ 2 internal promotions
→ $34K pay raise
→ A dream role leading a team

How?

It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t working harder.
It was a single turning point.

That night, surrounded by tissues and doubt,
I decided to ask for help.

Not easier said than done. HARDER than done.

(And for me, big-time ego. What if people thought I was weak?)

But I followed through.

Here’s what admitting I needed help looked like:

1/ I dropped my ego.
What got me here won't get me there. Sometimes career success requires admitting you can't figure it all out alone.

2/ I faced the truth.
I was fixating on the next role while neglecting my current job and actual capabilities. Time to work on ME!

3/ I sought guidance.
I committed to change and got a coach. They identified growth areas I'd missed or avoided—truths I needed to hear.

4/ I took action.
Despite initial fear, I trusted the process. Took massive action and IT WORKED!!!

The results?

→ Promotions.
→ A fulfilling career.
→ Clarity like I’ve never felt before.

The truth is, success isn’t about staying strong.
It’s about knowing when to lean on someone else.

If you’re stuck… don’t wait for a breaking point like mine.

Take the step.

(You might just surprise yourself.)

Since then, I've earned multiple promotions and built an amazing career!

This journey inspired me to become a career coach myself—now I help others achieve the same transformation!

Comment "Transform" below ↓
If you'd like to learn more about how we could help you!

♻️ Repost to help someone who’s ready for their breakthrough.

Upskilling isn’t optional anymore.
If you’re not growing, you’re falling behind—fast.

And here’s the harsh reality:

Many people don’t.

They stay in their comfort zone.
They avoid challenges.
They hope their current knowledge will be enough.

But it won’t be.

Growth isn’t just “nice to have.”
It’s your survival strategy.

The professionals crushing it right now?

→ They’re learning new skills every week.
→ They’re adapting faster than ever.
→ They’re building momentum—not excuses.

The ones struggling?

→ They think their past success will carry them.
→ They hesitate to admit what they don’t know.
→ They wait too long to pivot, then the opportunity is gone.

Here’s the truth:

The leaders who thrive in this fast-changing world are the ones who say, “I don’t know this yet—but I will.”

They act BEFORE it’s urgent.

They lean into being a beginner again.

They go ALL IN on leveling up their mindset, their skills, their careers.

It’s not magic. It’s discipline.

Want to know how to start?

1/ Admit you're stuck.
↳ Example: “I don’t understand AI, and I’m behind on it.”

2/ Pick one skill that will make you more valuable.
↳ Example: “I’ll learn AI to streamline processes in my work.”

3/ Break it into bite-sized steps.
↳ Example: “I’ll spend 10 minutes daily watching tutorials before work.”

4/ Find resources that match your style.
↳ Example: Visual learner? Watch videos. Prefer hands-on? Try free tools.

5/ Track your progress.
↳ Example: “After one week, I’ll summarize the basics in my own words.”

6/ Stay consistent.
↳ Example: “Every weekday at 8 AM, no excuses.”

This isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up every day and refusing to settle for “good enough.”

Because the skills you sharpen today will set you apart tomorrow.
What skill will YOU commit to learning this week?

♻️ Repost to inspire someone to start growing today.

If you want to learn the skills to level up your career and income?
Comment "LevelUP" below! ⬇️

3 years stuck. 12 rejections. Zack kept asking, what am I doing wrong?

He followed every rule.

Worked harder than anyone.
Delivered 30% over target.
Took every high-profile project.
Built skills nobody else had.

His reviews? Stellar.
His bonuses? Impressive.
His promotions? Nonexistent.

Managers kept saying, “Be patient.”
Feedback was always vague.
“Not quite executive material.”
“Need more seasoning.”
“Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Zack felt trapped.
He did everything right.
Still, doors stayed closed.

The truth is:
Performance was not his problem.
Positioning was.

LeaderUP’s assessment showed what was hiding in plain sight.

He spoke as a specialist, not a leader.
His resume listed effort but not impact.
He solved problems but didn’t move strategy.
He was seen as reliable, not visionary.

The better he got at his job, the more they kept him in it.

LeaderUP helped him break the pattern.

We identified the leadership stories he never told.
We reframed his wins to spotlight business results.
We changed how he spoke to executives.
We built his authentic leadership voice.

Twelve weeks later:

He interviewed for Senior Director.
They made a new role just for him.
His pay jumped 45%.
His team size tripled.

The lesson?

Excellence alone won’t get you promoted.
You must be seen as a leader before you get the title.

The system is built to keep high performers in place.

If you don’t position yourself differently, you hit the same ceiling again and again.

What invisible ceiling is holding you back?

Comment “CEILING” if you want to learn how to position yourself for your next level.

I watched others get promoted while I waited.  
Then I changed my approach-and my career exploded.

Here’s what no one told me:

• Hard work alone does not get you noticed  
• Loyalty does not guarantee progress  
• Job boards rarely deliver real results

Most people do what they know:  
• Polish the resume  
• Send more applications  
• Wait for luck to show up

But waiting is not a strategy.

When I wanted to break out, I did what top leaders do:

1) Get clear on your VALUE  
→ Write down three true strengths (no buzzwords)  
→ Ask trusted peers how you drive impact  
→ Figure out what sets you apart

2) Stop job-hunting. Start NETWORKING  
→ Reach out to decision-makers directly  
→ Share wins, ideas, and vision-not just your CV  
→ Connect with peers at the next level up

3) Build your personal BRAND  
→ Show how you solve problems others cannot  
→ Share stories of leading teams or driving results  
→ Let the right people know your goals

I used these steps myself:
• Seven promotions  
• Multiple leadership programs  
• Doors opened that I never saw before

Hundreds of clients have done the same.

The uncomfortable truth:  
Results speak louder than hours worked.

You deserve a job where you feel valued-and where you grow.

Ready to stop waiting and start leading?  
I built a free training on what hiring managers *really* look for.

Want a copy?  
Message me with “TRAINING” and I’ll send it over.

What would shift in your career if you focused less on resumes and more on relationships?

I stopped trying to be perfect in interviews. I started listening instead. That’s when the offers came.

Picture this-70 interviews, zero offers. Each one felt like an exam. I studied, rehearsed, tried to give flawless answers. I left every room feeling defeated.

The truth is: interviews are not tests. They are conversations.

What changed everything for me?

I heard: “People don’t hire skills. They hire humans they trust.”

That hit hard. I realized my mistake. I was trying to impress, not connect.

I shifted my approach:

• I asked what THEY needed
• I listened to their biggest challenges
• I made it about THEM, not me

Instead of performing, I connected. Instead of reciting, I listened.

Next 5 interviews?

4 offers. No change to resume. No fancy script. Just a new mindset.

Here’s what matters:

→ If you’re in the interview chair, you are already qualified
→ Rapport wins over rehearsed answers
→ Solve THEIR problem-not your anxiety about being perfect

Hiring managers want someone who understands, not just someone who answers.

I built the LeaderUP Interview System around this truth. It’s helped me-and hundreds of clients-stand out and get offers, fast.

Your resume gets you in the room. The way you connect gets you the job.

How do you approach tough interviews? Has connection helped you stand out?

Stuck in a toxic job? You’re following old rules that keep you trapped.

You know you’re a talented leader in tech.
But you’re still using the same playbook that got you here.
Now-those rules hold you back.

Here’s what I see every week:

• You polish your resume for the 100th time.
• You wait for your boss to notice your value.
• You hope HR will offer you something better.
• You keep working harder, hoping for a break.

Truth is: Companies changed. Hiring changed. Leadership changed.
But the job search strategies most people use? Still stuck in 2010.

The fix is simple, but powerful.

The LeaderUP 3 Keys Proven Framework:

1. Decision Maker Marketing - Position yourself as the solution to their biggest problems. Your resume and LinkedIn must scream impact at the level you want, not just the job you have.

2. Interview Pipeline Process - Build a personalized outbound plan. Reach out directly to decision makers. Use tools and automation. Stop waiting, start driving interviews.

3. Interview Process Certification - Learn how to become the answer hiring managers need. Consistently get offers by showing you solve real pain.

But that’s not all.

We dig deep to uncover your key unlocks:
→ What makes you unique?
→ Where do you deliver value no one else can?
→ Which growth areas will move the needle?

Then, we use the MASE Approach:
• Mindset: Growth over fear.
• Attitude: Show up with energy.
• Skills: Level up-hard and soft.
• Effort: Daily, focused action.

Imagine the shift:
You land the role you want.
You triple your impact, income, and satisfaction.
You wake up excited-recognized for your true worth.

The uncomfortable truth:
Success starts when you break old patterns and choose a new strategy.

What would change in your career if you stopped following outdated rules and started using a proven framework?

I see growth where others see only trouble. That’s my secret.

Most people scan the headlines, scroll through complaints, and get stuck on what’s wrong.

They say:
• The world is a mess
• My job is draining me
• Nothing ever changes

But here’s what they miss-what you focus on becomes your reality.

When you zoom in on pain, you get more pain.
When you point your lens at growth, you see new ways forward.

I’ve been there. Years ago, I hit a wall in my career. Stuck, frustrated, looking for someone to blame.

The truth is: I was feeding the problem with my attention. I was growing more stuck, not less.

Everything shifted when I started asking:
• What can I learn here?
• How can I grow from this?
• What part of me needs to change?

That’s when the doors opened. New roles. Promotions. More energy. Better teams. Not overnight-but every day, a little more.

The uncomfortable truth: The world will always have trouble. Pain. Problems.

But you choose what grows in your life. Your focus is the fertilizer.

If you want to be in the top 1%, start with your mindset-focus on growth, not trouble.

What would shift in your career if you focused less on pain and more on possibility?

John Hancock Resumes

Send your resume for a free review (JohnHancockResumes@gmail.com).


Or call/text to schedule a consultation. (859) 940-2013

My clients have landed jobs at companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Tesla. 

Offering 10+ years of experience with 230+ LinkedIn recommendations and 300+ 5-star Google reviews. 

Save hours of time trying to perfect your resume and just leave it to the pros. 👌🏼

Services offered include:

✅ Resume writing 
✅ Cover letters
✅ LinkedIn customization 
✅ Executive bios
✅ Thank you letters & references 
✅ Career & interview coaching 

Make a good impression within ~6 seconds and get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) bots. 🤖 

We work with clients in nearly every industry and any experience level, from new graduate to executive.

Ask about our 60-day interview guarantee.

Resume Writer, LinkedIn Profile Writer & Career Coach

Escape the Cubicle Newsletter

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Growth Strategist

Resume Writer & Remote Career Coach + I’m “That Remote Guy” 🙋🏻‍♂️ Helping people find the remote career they’ve dreamed of in less time + Join 30K+ on the Escape the Cubicle Newsletter👇

You can work from anywhere. I’ll show you how. 👇

A Google search back in 2015 changed the course of my career, “How do you make money online?”

I was at a crossroads in my career and ready to make a change. I knew it was time to start building my own thing, a thing that someone couldn’t take away overnight. 

After discovering the world of freelancing, I replaced my income and never looked back. By the second year, I was able to triple that income (more than I ever thought possible) because of one platform: LinkedIn

LinkedIn allowed me to connect with clients all over the world, right at my fingertips. The opportunities that LinkedIn has opened up have been life-changing.

Now, I get to help others use LinkedIn to build a remote career as a Career Coach & Resume Writer and their own profitable brand as a Growth Strategist. I’ll help coach you on growing an online income through LinkedIn, a newsletter (like Substack), and a digital product.

…oh, and I still write amazing, interview-winning resumes if you need that. Just send a DM, and I’ll provide a free review for you. Or email it to me at (JohnHancockResumes@gmail.com).

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Here’s what I've built:

✅ 125,000+ engaged LinkedIn followers
✅ 50,000+ LinkedIn newsletter subscribers
✅ 5,000+ Escape the Cubicle Substack subscribers
✅ 500+ transformed through my masterclasses
✅ 3000+ resumes written for every industry 

“Press Start” Here 👇

📌 Subscribe to my Substack at: www.EscapeTheCubicle.Substack.Com

📌 Join my Free 5-Day Email Class on “How to Grow & Monetize on LinkedIn” at the link top of my profile (or Featured Section)

📌 Connect for a 1on1 Coaching Call (by sending me a DM); I’ll help you build an actionable 30-day strategy to grow your brand on LinkedIn & Substack

📌 Grab my Six-Figure LinkedIn Growth Masterclass (& Playbook) with 500+ of my other students; click the link at top of my profile (or Featured Section)

📌 Get a newly polished resume at www.JohnHancockResumes.com

There's a better way to work. Let me show you how to find it.

Wes Pearce

Good salary makes you show up. Great culture makes you want to stay.


I've watched people convince themselves that toxic workplace culture is "just how it is."

Meanwhile, their enthusiasm is gone. Their best ideas stay unshared. Their Sunday nights are filled with dread.

All because they've been told that culture "isn't a good enough reason" to leave.

Here's what actually happens when you prioritize culture:

-You perform better because you're not constantly fighting your environment.

-You grow faster because you're learning from people who lift you up, not tear you down.

-You become the version of yourself that actually gets promoted—because you're not using all your energy just to survive the day.

I've had clients turn down offers with 20% more money.

Every single time? They chose the place with better culture instead.

Companies will post about "culture" and "values" in their job ads, but somehow YOU'RE the unrealistic one for actually expecting those things to be true?

Here's the real risk:

Staying so long in a bad culture that you normalize behavior you'd never accept anywhere else.

The best companies don't want people who just tolerate dysfunction.

They want people who've experienced great culture and refuse to settle for less.

Your career is too short to spend it miserable.

Make sure you're optimizing for fulfillment, not just endurance.

— —
📌 Ready to make your next move? I put together a “resume checklist” to help you update and improve your resume—making sure it actually gets seen by recruiters.

Comment “RESUME” and I’ll send it to you.

Resume Writer & Career Coach helping you “work from anywhere” 👨🏻‍💻 Follow for Career, Remote Job Search, and Creator Tips | Writing daily on EscapeTheCubicle.Substack.com Join 10,000+ Subscribers

I keep watching this exact scenario unfold:


Someone leaves a company that treated them like they were invisible.

Overlooked. Denied raises they deserved three times over.

Then months later, their old colleagues see them thriving at a different organization.

Leading projects. Getting recognized. Finally using the skills that sat dormant for so long.

Suddenly the previous manager reaches out. “Would you ever consider returning?"

The answer is almost always no.

Because something fundamental changes when you exit a place that never saw your worth: you discover what genuine respect feels like.

✅ You end up in meetings where people ask for your input, not talk over you.

✅ You work under leaders who fight for your growth instead of limiting it.

✅ You join environments where recognition is standard practice, not something they remember during your goodbye.

The difference isn't that you improved at your craft. That ability was already present.

It's about finding somewhere that actually understands how to leverage what you offer.

That previous position taught you something critical, even if it stung: certain places don't deserve what you're capable of.

The best decision is often leaving and watching them figure out too late what they lost.

——
📌 If you’re needing more inspiration, I’ve been writing about this on my Substack newsletter: EscapeTheCubicle.Substack.Com  

For a year now, I’ve been talking about how to take your talents/skills and build your own portfolio career. 

Grown to 14,000+ subscribers who are taking control of their careers…

Quitting that toxic job won’t make you look like a “job hopper.” Trust me. 


It makes you someone who values their well-being more than someone else's perception.

I've watched clients stay in toxic jobs because they're paralyzed by what it might look like on their resume or LinkedIn.

Meanwhile, their health is declining. Their relationships are suffering. Their spark is gone.

All to avoid being labeled a "job hopper" by people who've never walked in their shoes.

Here's what actually happens when you leave toxicity quickly:

—You reclaim months (or years) of your life that you would've spent miserable.

—You show future employers that you have boundaries—and you're not afraid to enforce them.

—You give yourself permission to find a place where you can actually thrive, not just survive.

I've had clients leave jobs after 3 months, after 6 months, after realizing on day one that the role was misrepresented.

Every single one? They found something better within weeks.

Because the only thing worse than a short stint on your resume is a long stint that breaks you.

Companies will eliminate your position without a second thought, but somehow you’re the flaky one for leaving when the environment is damaging your health?

The real risk? Staying so long that the toxicity becomes your baseline and you forget what a healthy workplace even feels like.

The best hiring managers don't judge you for leaving quickly.

They judge you for how you talk about it, what you learned, and what you're looking for instead.

Your mental health isn't negotiable.

Make sure your career reflects that.

— —
📌 Ready to make your next move? I put together a resume checklist to help you update and improve your resume—making sure it actually gets seen by recruiters.

Comment "RESUME" and I'll send it to you.

Let’s stop shaming people for leaving a toxic job. They’re not quitting, they’re standing up for their career. 


Maria came to me at 40, exhausted and defeated.

For eight years, she'd been working at a company where her ideas were dismissed, her achievements went unrecognized, and her manager took credit for her work. 

She stayed because she feared starting over would mean "throwing away" her experience.

"But what if I can't find anything else at my age?" she asked during our first session.
I see this fear paralyze so many talented professionals. The belief that starting over means starting from zero. The worry that age makes you less valuable.

Neither is true.

Together, we took inventory of her transferable skills – project management, team leadership, client relations – skills that transcend any specific role or industry.

Then we identified her non-negotiables:

✅ Remote to eliminate hercommute
✅ Collaborative culture that valued input
✅ Clear opportunities for growth
✅ Work that aligned with her core values

Maria hesitated when I suggested she could find all four. 

“That feels like asking for too much," she said. Three months later, she proved herself wrong.

After submitting 20+ applications, doing 4 interviews, and turning down 2 offers that didn't meet her criteria, Sarah landed a fully remote position with a company whose mission she believes in – at a 15% higher salary than her previous role.

The best part? She recently told me: "For the first time in years, I feel valued. My manager actually thanked me for my contributions last week. I didn't realize how starved I was for basic recognition."

Maria’s story isn't about starting from nothing. It's about having the courage to use everything she'd learned to write a better next chapter.

If you're staying in a toxic environment because you fear starting over, remember: 

You're not starting from zero. You're starting from experience.

Question: What would you do in your career if you weren't afraid of beginning again?

—
📌 If you’re needing more help, this is why I created Remote Dream Job Masterclass.

It’s the exact strategy I teach all my 1on1 coaching clients to land interviews without applying online. 

If you’d like to join, just scroll up and click “View My Newsletter” or check the Featured Section on my profile.

graphical user interface, text, application

The career advice that's actually ruining people: "Just stick it out for two years."


No. Quitting a job early is ok. Moving on is ok. Changing careers is ok.

But what's not ok? Staying in a toxic job that doesn't value or appreciate your worth.

I've seen people stay in awful situations for years because they're terrified of how it'll look.

"What will people think?"

"What if recruiters see this as a red flag?"

"What if I can't explain the gap?"

Meanwhile, they're miserable. Anxious. Watching their skills and confidence erode month after month.

The hiring managers worth working for don't care that you left a bad situation quickly.

They care that you recognized it was bad and had the self-respect to walk away.

Staying in a toxic job doesn't make you loyal. It makes you unavailable for the right opportunity when it shows up.

Your resume doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to tell the truth.

And the truth is: sometimes the smartest career move is knowing when to leave.

Stop sacrificing your mental health to avoid an awkward conversation in an interview.

Any company that judges you for protecting your well-being isn't a company you want to work for anyway.

You don't owe toxicity your time, your energy, or your future.

Leave. Recover. Find better.

That's not quitting. That's leveling up.

---
📌 Ready to make your next move? I put together a “Resume Checklist” to help you update and improve your resume—making sure it actually gets seen by recruiters.

Over 200+ job seekers have already downloaded it. 

Comment "RESUME" and I'll send it to you.

Leaving a toxic job doesn't make you a “quitter.”


It makes you someone who finally understood their worth.

For years, we were gaslit into believing:

"Be grateful you have a job."
"It's not supposed to be fun."
"Everywhere is like this."

No. Everywhere is NOT like this.

That Sunday anxiety?
That's not normal.

Crying in your car before work?
Not a rite of passage.

Feeling physically sick at the thought of Monday?
That's your body screaming at you to leave.

And when you finally do?

Society calls you ungrateful. Entitled. A quitter.

I call it self-preservation.

Here's what nobody tells you:
You don't have to find another box to fit into.

You can build a career around YOUR life. Not someone else's org chart.

The people leaving toxic workplaces aren't just job hopping anymore.

They're becoming consultants who triple their hourly rate.

- Coaches who work 20 hours a week.
- Freelancers who choose their clients.
- Writers who monetize their expertise.
- Creators who own their time.

They're not asking for permission anymore.

They're building portfolio careers that actually fit their skills, values, and lives.

More money. More flexibility. Zero Sunday scaries.

That toxic job taught you something valuable:

You're worth more than they were paying you. In every sense of the word.

Walking away wasn't quitting.

It was the beginning.

— —
📌 I’ve been writing about this on my Substack EscapeTheCubicle.Substack.Com, everything from portfolio careers and becoming a solopreneur. 

It’s grown to a community of 14,000+ subscribers all inspired to escape their own cubicles. 

I’d love for you to join up and follow along.

I stayed on the wrong train, wrong dead end job for two years.

 
I knew within the first three months the job wasn't what they'd sold me. 

The culture was toxic. The growth opportunities didn't exist. My manager was actively holding me back.

But I stayed.

"Maybe it'll get better." "I just need to prove myself." "What will it look like if I leave this soon?"

So I rode that train for two more years. 

Watching my confidence drain, skills stagnate, and mental health decline.

When I finally got off, the return trip cost me everything. It took six months to rebuild my confidence. 

All because I was too afraid to admit I was on the wrong train.

Here's what I learned: The cost of staying is always higher than the cost of leaving.

And the return trip? It's not just about finding a new job. 

It's about undoing the damage: rebuilding your self-worth, recovering your energy, remembering who you were before that place broke you down.

If you know you're on the wrong train, get off at the next station.

Not next year. Not after you hit some arbitrary milestone. Now.

The longer you wait, the more expensive the return trip becomes.

And some costs you can't get back.

——
📌 Ready to land a remote job? I put together a “Remote Job Search Guide” with everything you need to find and land your next work-from-home role.

Comment "GUIDE" and I'll send it to you.

Or scroll up and click “View my Newsletter” to get the Guide.

I'll never forget the boss who looked at my resume and said: "You don't have the experience we typically look for."


Then added: "But I like how you think. Let's give you a shot."

No traditional qualifications. No industry background. 

Just curiosity, drive, and a willingness to figure it out.

That one decision changed the trajectory of my entire career. Not because I was the most skilled candidate.

Because someone saw my potential instead of just a piece of paper.

Fast forward, and I've now been on the other side of that table hundreds of times.

And here's what I've learned: the candidates who look perfect on paper aren't always the ones who perform.

The ones who succeed? They're coachable. Hungry. Resilient.

You can teach someone a software system in two weeks.

You can't teach someone to give a damn.

✅ If you're hiring: take a chance on the person with the right attitude over the one with the perfect resume.

✅ If you're job searching: find the leader who's willing to bet on your potential, not just your past.

That person exists.

And when you find them, you'll spend the rest of your career trying to pay that forward.

---
📌 Ready to make your next move? I put together a resume checklist to help you update and improve your resume—making sure it actually gets seen by recruiters.

Comment "RESUME" and I'll send it to you.

This would be a career-changer for somebody. 👇🏼

Founder & CEO @ Limelight | B2B Creator Marketplace | 3x Founder | MBA Mentor

I’m HIRING a Customer Success Manager!! 🎉 👀 Want to join a tech startup DOMINATING the creator economy space?!

Keep reading 👇

I don’t care about your fancy degree.
Or what brands are on your CV.
Or how old you are.

If you're awesome at what you do...

WE WANT YOU!!!

Simple as that 👏👏

The ideal candidate:

🔥 Has startup experience (and can work fast)
🔥 Can build relationships with enterprise customers
🔥 Understands B2B influence/creator partnerships
🔥 Has the grit and accountability to own outcomes

You'll get:

→ Ability to work from anywhere
→ Skin in the game + bonuses
→ Responsibility from day one
→ Total creative freedom

This is a rare opportunity for someone to join our early team and go on a MAJOR growth journey with us.

A bit about Limelight:

- Just won SaaStock Europe’s global pitch
- Growing fast with $3.6M in proposals sent
- Working with brands like HubSpot, Clay, Xero
- Building the future of B2B influencer marketing
- Used by thousands of world-class content creators

We made our last hire in under 10 days.

And we’re looking for someone incredible again.

Ready for the challenge?

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d6bnJyJP

Know someone who is?

Tag ‘em!

taplio

The Battle

Paul Upton

Wes Pearce

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Performance ScorePaul Upton's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreWes Pearce's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Paul Upton

Wes Pearce

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Paul Upton's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreWes Pearce's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScorePaul Upton's LinkedIn Performance