We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anne Irene Ryan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anne Irene below.
Anne Irene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
The kindest thing that anyone has ever done for me is taking the time to fill out my post-speaking Talkadot surveys. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who lets me know what they like about a workshop so I can do more of it and what they don’t like so I can do less of it.
I read every single response – I’ve made changes to my workshops based on audience feedback & will freely admit to re-reading testimonials whenever I need an energy boost.
One kind word from a workshop attendee can keep me motivated for a whole month.
Check out what I mean here: https://www.talkadot.com/s/anneireneryan
Anne Irene, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
How did I get here?
Throughout my 20 year career in tech, I reviewed thousands of resumes, interviewed hundreds of candidates, and gave dozens of recruiting presentations around the world.
In that time, I was stunned to meet so many incredible people who struggled to articulate their skills and experiences (a potential career catastrophe)!
My experience had shown me that a well-crafted professional brand could be the difference between negotiating a compensation package at your top choice versus grudgingly accepting an offer from the bottom of your list.
So I decided to make it my full-time mission to help people in tech and other STEM fields identify and convey their value so that they can boldly pursue their career goals.
And while I work with anyone who needs my help, I am especially passionate about empowering women, minorities, and other traditionally under-recognized professionals in an effort to close the pay gap and make STEM a more equitable place.
Here are a few of my past speaking clients:
• 2015, 2017, & 2018 Grace Hopper Celebrations
• 2019 Hopperx1 London
• 2019 Hopper Down Under
• Austin Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)
• Duke University Technology Scholars (DTech)
• DukeNY Alumni Advanced Job Networking Group (AJNG)
• Encouraging Women Across All Borders (EWAAB)
• CUNY LaGuardia Community College President’s Society
• Moxxie Mentoring Foundation
• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Baruch College Student Chapter
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Biomedical Engineering Society
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Girls Who Code chapter
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Chapter
• Society of Women Engineers, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Chapter
• University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center
• Women’s Business Development Council
Who do I help? Students & professionals – especially women in tech, underrecognized groups, & first-generation students
What problem do I solve? I help my clients land that impossible job – not the one they 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 they can get – the one they 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.
Where do I work? Virtually or in-person. I’m based in NYC & you can book me for virtual, local, U.S., & international workshops. You can also hire me for 1:1 coaching – I coach hourly over Zoom, create resume or LinkedIn profile video audits for clients, & provide VIP Career Creation services where I’ll write your resume & LinkedIn profile for you.
When do I work? What time do you want me to be there? (ha!). For coaching, business hours M-F. For speaking, it depends on the event.
Why do I do this? I love working with clients during a #careerChange. I believe that everyone is more awesome than they think they are – sometimes all you need to realize this is a really fun career coach who makes things like branding, resumeWriting, & LinkedIn fun. (That’s me, btw! 😁)
What sets me apart from others? I coach in an unusual way – I really get to know my 1:1 clients so I can write resumes & LinkedIn profiles that truly sound like them. I believe in writing a resume / LinkedIn profile like you already have the job you want – it’s not just a mindset for your potential employer to see you in the role, it’s a mindset shift for my clients too.
I also LOVE resumes, so I get really enthusiastic facilitating workshops about branding, resumes, LinkedIn, career fairs, or networking. I do my best to make professional development topics fun & engaging.
WHAT I AM MOST PROUD OF
I’m most proud of starting my business & becoming a speaker! My purpose in life is to ‘Create Confidence’ – and believe it or not – helping my clients’ feel confident helps me feel confident too.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
I recently got really creative with my Society of Women Engineers (SWE) proposal for the 2024 annual conference: https://we24.swe.org/
Here’s my proposal:
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Title: You’re Kenough: Unlock your Kenergy & Write your Resume
Description:
I wrote a resume for Ryan Gosling’s Ken from the 2023 film 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘦.
Ken is so much more than “just beach.”
Sure, he has no money, no job, no car, & no house.
But he’s Ken (since 1961).
He’s a Performer.
He’s the Creator of the Mojo Dojo Casa House.
He’s a Motivational Speaker.
His song “I’m Just Ken” made the Billboard Hot 100 list.
And if Ken has 𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 experience to write the next chapter of his career…
…then so do you!
In this 30-minute workshop, uncover the secrets of crafting a resume that’s as iconic as Ken’s wardrobe — bold, stylish, and uniquely you.
You’ll leave with confidence & the kenergy to make your story a chart-topper.
Learning Outcomes:
• You are kenough: Discover a newfound confidence in your identity
• Harness your own kenergy to infuse your resume with Ken-like boldness
• Learn practical tips to share with your kenmunity for tailoring your resume
Download Ken’s resume here: https://www.anneireneryan.com/kenresume
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I don’t know if this marketing risk worked yet…I will find out if the idea was accepted on May 24, 2024.
Please wish me luck! I will 100% wear a Ken-worthy outfit to present this workshop at the conference.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes! If I could start my business all over again, here are some things I would set up immediately:
• Hire a bookkeeper & check my books monthly
• Set up a CRM & email list
• Pay myself 50% of revenue until I hit $10k / month
• Find a great virtual assistant & get help running the business
I’m still working on three of the things on this list…three & a half years in!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anneireneryan.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneireneryan/