We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Laverde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Laura, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
The Story Behind HRMONY’s Mission
When I founded my company HRMONY, I had a clear mission in mind. At HRMONY, our mission is deeply personal and born from a place of empathy and experience. The journey to this mission began with my own struggles and the realization of a widespread need for genuine guidance in the job market.
When I graduated with a degree in Political Science & Government, I was filled with hope but also overwhelmed by the daunting task of finding a job. The support I received at my university was impersonal—a link to upload my resume for a computer-generated critique. I felt lost and unprepared, navigating conflicting advice and facing intimidating interviews that felt more like interrogations. After what felt like an eternity, I finally landed my first job post-college, which was in a completely different field—recruiting. This position, which I secured thanks to my customer service skills, unexpectedly became my passion and the foundation of HRMONY.
As a recruiter, I saw firsthand the challenges candidates faced: impressive individuals with poor resumes, or those with polished resumes but lacking interview skills. This disconnect wasn’t a reflection of their capabilities but a symptom of a system that doesn’t teach these essential skills. The frustration I felt after college was mirrored in countless candidates I interviewed.
Driven by my newfound passion for recruiting and human resources, I pursued a master’s degree in Human Resources Management. This advanced education deepened my understanding of the hiring process and equipped me with the expertise to help others more effectively. Armed with this knowledge, I was able to provide even better guidance to those navigating the job market.
My career progressed, and I became an HR Specialist tasked with building an HR department from scratch. Here, I encountered the same issues across all levels of positions. Despite diverse backgrounds and experiences, many applicants were simply unprepared for the job application process.
With my accumulated knowledge and advanced degree, I began helping friends and family with their resumes, interview preparations, and overall job application strategies. The transformation I saw in them was profound. They became more confident, better prepared, and more successful in their job hunts. This grassroots effort sparked the idea for HRMONY.
One of my closest friends suggested I turn this informal assistance into a business, and HRMONY was born. Our mission is to provide personalized, human-centric guidance to job seekers. I remembered my own struggles and knew how invaluable a service like this would have been for me—a real person listening, guiding, and supporting me through every step of the job application process.
As an immigrant, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this country has afforded me. I am committed to giving back by helping others seize their opportunities with the right tools and preparation. In a land of boundless opportunities, I believe that with the proper guidance, anyone can achieve their career aspirations.
HRMONY exists to fill a critical gap in the job market—providing compassionate, expert support during one of life’s most vulnerable and challenging times. Our mission is meaningful because it transforms uncertainty and anxiety into confidence and success, helping individuals not just find jobs but build fulfilling careers.
Laura, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
About Me and HRMONY
Hello! I’m Laura, born and raised in the beautiful city of Bogotá, Colombia. Deeply connected to my Colombian roots, I take pride in our friendliness and extroverted spirit. Fourteen years ago, I immigrated to the US and now happily call the sunny, lively city of Miami my home.
My interests are diverse, spanning sports, music, art, and politics, but my greatest passion is people. As the founder of HRMONY, I feel fortunate to connect with individuals from all walks of life, helping them grow both personally and professionally.
My journey into human resources and recruiting has been both unexpected and incredibly rewarding. I hold a degree in Political Science and Government, but like many graduates, I initially struggled to navigate the job market. Eventually, I landed a job in a field different from what I studied, which opened my eyes to the importance of finding the right career path. This personal experience of uncertainty and frustration sparked a passion in me to assist others facing similar challenges.
How I Got into the Industry
After graduating, I faced considerable challenges in landing my first professional job. My background was mainly in retail, and I feared I wouldn’t be able to secure a professional corporate position. However, my customer service skills and ability to connect with people ultimately led me to land an entry-level role as a recruiter. This job was a revelation—I fell in love with the field and the profound impact it has on people’s lives.
Driven by this newfound passion, I pursued and completed a master’s degree in Human Resources Management, solidifying my expertise and commitment to this career path. My journey continued as I took on the role of an HR Specialist, where I built an HR department from the ground up for a rapidly growing company. This experience gave me deep insights into the hiring process from both the employer and candidate perspectives.
Products and Services
At HRMONY, we specialize in providing personalized, human-centric career guidance. Our services include:
– Resume Building: Crafting resumes that effectively showcase a candidate’s skills and experiences.
– Interview Preparation: Offering mock interviews and strategic advice to help candidates present their best selves.
– Career Coaching: Guiding clients through career transitions, job searches, and professional development.
– Workshops and Seminars: Conducting educational sessions on various aspects of job searching and professional growth.
Problems We Solve
We address several key issues that job seekers commonly face:
– Resume Optimization: Helping candidates create resumes that pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch the eye of hiring managers.
– Interview Skills: Providing techniques and practice to improve interview performance, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence.
– Career Direction: Assisting individuals in identifying their career goals and mapping out actionable plans to achieve them.
– Market Preparedness: Ensuring clients are well-prepared to enter or re-enter the job market, equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets HRMONY apart is our deep commitment to personalized and empathetic service. We understand that every job seeker’s journey is unique, and we tailor our support to meet their specific needs. Unlike impersonal, automated services, we offer one-on-one guidance, listening to our clients’ aspirations and helping them achieve their goals. Our founder’s personal journey from feeling lost after graduation to becoming a seasoned HR professional informs our empathetic and practical approach.
Proud Moments
I am incredibly proud of the transformations we have facilitated. Seeing clients go from feeling uncertain and overwhelmed to confident and successful in their job searches is immensely rewarding. One standout moment was helping a client, who had been out of the workforce for several years, secure a position that reignited their career. These successes reaffirm the importance and impact of our work.
What Potential Clients Should Know
At HRMONY, we believe in the power of preparation and the value of personalized guidance. We are dedicated to helping you present your best self to potential employers and achieve your career aspirations. Whether you are a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone looking to make a significant career change, we are here to support you every step of the way.
I am especially committed to providing opportunities and support to those who are navigating new and challenging environments. Our mission is to ensure that with the right tools and preparation, anyone can be unstoppable in their career journey.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about HRMONY. We look forward to helping you achieve your professional dreams.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A Lesson I Had to Unlearn: The Myth of the “Perfect” Candidate
When I first entered the professional world, I believed employers were looking for the “perfect” candidate—someone with an impeccable resume and flawless credentials.
As a recruiter, I realized there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. Each person I interviewed had unique strengths and areas for improvement. I found that those who had overcome adversities often brought resilience and creativity to the workplace, which were invaluable. This was reinforced during my time as an HR Specialist, where the most successful hires were those who showed adaptability and a willingness to learn, not those with perfect resumes.
I learned to value the diversity and unique experiences each candidate brings. Perfection is unattainable and unnecessary; what truly matters is finding individuals who fit the company culture and are eager to grow. This realization deepened during my master’s degree in Human Resources Management, where I studied the importance of inclusion and diverse perspectives.
When unlearning “perfection”, it was essential for me that with HRMONY, we focus on helping individuals highlight their unique strengths and present their authentic selves. We teach our clients that their challenges and diverse backgrounds are assets, not liabilities. By fostering this mindset, we help them build confidence and navigate their careers with purpose and authenticity.
The idea of a “perfect” candidate is a myth. True value lies in genuine, adaptable individuals who bring diverse experiences and resilience to the workplace. At HRMONY, we help clients recognize their worth beyond perfection, empowering them to achieve their career goals by embracing their unique strengths.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Politics has always been a driving passion in my life. From a young age, I dreamed of working “for the people, by the people,” driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on society. My academic pursuits in Political Science & Government were a reflection of this deep-seated commitment to public service.
After graduating, I was determined to pursue a career aligned with my political aspirations. My ultimate goal was to move to Washington DC, the epicenter of politics, and immerse myself in the heart of policymaking and advocacy. However, as fate would have it, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my plans, leaving me unable to relocate to the nation’s capital.
Faced with unexpected challenges and the need to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, I found myself at a crossroads. Despite my unwavering passion for politics, the realities of the job market during the pandemic forced me to consider alternative career paths.
It was during this time of uncertainty that I discovered an unexpected opportunity in the field of recruiting. Intrigued by the prospect of working closely with people and making a tangible difference in their lives, I decided to explore this new avenue—a decision that would ultimately change the course of my career in profound ways.
As I delved into the world of recruiting, I quickly realized that this change was the best thing that could have happened to me. I fell in love with the intricacies of human resources and the gratification of helping individuals navigate their career paths. What began as a temporary detour from my political aspirations soon blossomed into a passion in its own right. Every interaction with candidates, every successful placement, was an opportunity to empower individuals and help them achieve their career goals.
This realization inspired me to establish HRMONY, a mission-driven business dedicated to providing personalized career guidance and support. Through HRMONY, I have been able to combine my passion for helping others with my expertise in human resources, creating a platform where individuals can receive tailored assistance in navigating the job market. I discovered that, in many ways, recruiting was a form of public service—a way to support individuals in their pursuit of meaningful employment and contribute to the greater good of society.
Looking back, I am grateful for the unexpected twists and turns that led me to where I am today. While my journey may have taken an unpredictable path, it has been rich with valuable experiences and meaningful connections. And as I continue to embrace new opportunities and pursue my passions, I remain steadfast in my commitment to working “for the people”—whether in politics or recruiting—always striving to make a difference in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hrmonyconsulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-laverde-cuervo/
