Our Career Coaches and Professional Resume Writers

Building your dream career—in an organization whose mission, purpose, and values resonate with you and inspire you—takes more than a great professional or executive resume. This is true even when the resume is written by the best certified resume writer. It demands clarity of goals, keyword richness, niche positioning, and job performance. We will also help you build and leverage a network of advocates who will open doors hidden from other candidates.

Our team of career coaches and resume writers holds a 5-star rating on Yelp (counting the hidden reviews), Facebook, and Google, as well as an A rating on Angie’s List and an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau. We are the top-rated resume writing company nationwide for USAJobs-style federal resumes. We’d like to share how we’ll help you get your dream job!

Resume writers get you interviews
How Your Team Gets You Interviews and Offers
To help you achieve your goal, the team of career coaches and resume writers that works with you on your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview skills, and strategy utilizes a personalized, multifaceted approach. Our resume writers ask questions to make sure we understand your goals and the value that you bring to employers. Your career coaches assist you in preparing for an interview. We apply marketing, search-engine optimization, personal development, negotiation, psychology, sales, and specific domain expertise, in addition to hypnotic writing and communication skills. Combining your ideas and ours enables us to create communications that attract enticing offers and build your personal brand on the job.
Your Secret Weapon
We are the only company that offers Interview Aikido™, our signature interviewing and networking system for making friends and influencing people to hire or refer you. Our video and in-person training significantly enhance your efforts in preparing for an interview. Gone will be the days that you sat there and got grilled, nervously hoping you said what they wanted to hear.

We are also the top-rated professional resume writing service nationwide for USAJobs-style federal resumes and Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) essays. Our resume writers can help you get a secure job in the federal government, including in the Senior Executive Service.
Network with Our Inner Circle and HR Advisory Team
As a client, you will have exclusive access to our YES Inner Circle™ on LinkedIn. The members are former and current YES clients who share our founder’s belief that givers gain. Many may have worked or have contacts at organizations you are interested in. They can make introductions and share insight. You will also be able to network with the YES HR Advisory Team. This group of senior active human resources executives at both public and private sector organizations advises us and you on hiring trends.
Our Guarantees
With these unique advantages over your competition—and the support of your YES advisory team—the question is not if or when but which offer you will accept. That is why, in addition to our satisfaction guarantee, our clients who get complete packages also get a job offer guarantee.
Resume writers guarantee
Our Founder and Interview Coach’s Story
In my 30s, after two jobs in a row ended suddenly and I got divorced, I began and discarded three different lines of work in three years, as I struggled to regain my self-esteem and figure out what to do for a career. I felt like a failure. I thought, “All I want is to be a success. And if I feel like that, there must be a lot of other people who feel like that too. If I can use my writing and teaching gifts to help enough of them get what they want, I will achieve my success too.”
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And one day in the shower in 2009, it came to me: the tagline Your Edge for Success, with the perfect acronym YES to reflect  the delight you feel when you succeed. Over the next four years, my tutoring and writing business morphed into a career success business, renamed YES Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services in April 2020. Today, I enjoy training our resume writers to write winning cover letters and resumes and coaching our clients to shine in interviews. One of my clients wrote, “As a result [of my work with Katherine and Michael], I am currently in a job that I absolutely love, and my confidence is at an all-time high.” And that’s why I would love to help you get your edge for success.

Our Career Strategy and Business Coach’s Story
Right out of graduate school, I found myself virtually a refugee in a country whose language I could barely speak. To survive, I had to master the art of guerrilla job hunting. I persuaded General Electric to hire me in Singapore and bring me back to the States.
Then in 2013, after I had returned to full-time employment in business development after 15 years as a successful software product business owner and then small business coach, I met Katherine on Match.com.
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She immediately captivated my attention with her businesslike approach to her personal life, intelligence, and warmth, and I volunteered to help her make her struggling business (with the coolest name) successful. Together, leveraging the struggles of our own careers, we discovered what it would take to truly help someone get their dream job, and why it is critical to come from a place of compassion in helping professionals make the right transition. These values and commitments are reflected in the spectrum of services company provides today and the guarantees it offers.

 When the rapid growth of the company under my guidance threatened Katherine with burnout as she strove to maintain quality and personalized care for our clients, we focused on leveraging technology. We also developed an extensive training and certification program for our staff, enabling us to provide the quality of work we provide today worldwide.

  • Our Vision

  • Our Mission

  • Our Core Values

A world where all people experience joy, fulfillment, and growth in their careers

Our Executive Team

Resume writers president
Katherine Akbar
President

President and award-winning writer Katherine Akbar holds a BA in political science with high honors from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.

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She immediately captivated my attention with her businesslike approach to her personal life, intelligence, and warmth, and I volunteered to help her make her struggling business (with the coolest name) successful. Together, leveraging the struggles of our own careers, we discovered what it would take to truly help someone get their dream job, and why it is critical to come from a place of compassion in helping professionals make the right transition. These values and commitments are reflected in the spectrum of services company provides today and the guarantees it offers.

 When the rapid growth of the company under my guidance threatened Katherine with burnout as she strove to maintain quality and personalized care for our clients, we focused on leveraging technology. We also developed an extensive training and certification program for our staff, enabling us to provide the quality of work we provide today worldwide.

Career coaching lead
Michael Akbar
 VP; Career & Business Success Coach

Michael Akbar is a Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Federal Career Coach, Certified Diagnostic Coach, and Certified Business Advisor. He is also a senior executive with extensive experience working in start-up,

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mature, and growth business environments. He has a unique blend of sales, marketing, and operations experience in the IT, manufacturing, services, and federal sectors, as well as nonprofit board of directors experience. In addition to 7 years helping people get their dream job, Michael has spent 14 years as an entrepreneur coaching business owners to break through their barriers to success. Throughout, he has demonstrated strong communications and process skills, offering strategic and tactical leadership during significant transitions. Michael’s CPCC certification is from the same association that provides Certified Professional Resume Writers with Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) certification. Wed to the pres (aka “jefe”), Michael specializes in keeping Katherine sane as well as dreaming up ideas for YES’ expansion.

Our Operations Team

resume writers support
Maggie Ramsey
Client Success Manager

Maggie received her bachelor’s degree at University of North Carolina—Greensboro and master’s degree at University of Tennessee—Knoxville, both in vocal performance. She mastered customer service and operations as

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the director of education for a small business providing music lessons. Outside of the office, she sings with Cherrydale United Methodist Church, Sopranessence, DC Metro Opera on Tap, and Shakespeare Opera Theatre.
At home, Maggie enjoys practicing her opera singing, much to the annoyance of her roommate’s cat.

resume writers support

Jessie McGath

Client Success Manager

A Florida native, Jessie mastered the art of customer service while working for the Palm Bay Club beach resort. Her most recent job was as a registered behavior technician in the healthcare field, providing emotional

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and practical support for people with special needs. After having her son, she used her skills to work as a freelance virtual assistant from home for companies and executives all over the country. Jessie graduated from the Sarasota Military Academy, where she developed the discipline, integrity, honesty, and courage she brings to her work. When she isn’t busy building forts with her energetic four-year-old, she can be found imagining herself as an interior designer while binge-watching Love It or List It.

Top Resume Writers and Editors

Member of the team of resume writers
Teresa Griffith
Senior Resume Editor & Resume Writer
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Teresa graduated magna cum laude from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and English. Her first job out of college was at Sprint, where she advanced from administrative assistant to brand manager. While not related to her major, her career there provided a solid background in branding, marketing, and corporate communications. Today, she leverages those skills, along with her writing skills, to help clients market themselves to prospective employers. Teresa’s experience also includes copywriting and copyediting for a range of clients, developing digital and print marketing collateral, creating WordPress websites, and teaching business English to non-native speakers. When she’s not “wordsmithing,” Teresa enjoys spending time with her family of foster fails (two cats and a dog) and working with her three horses. She credits the horses with having taught her the value of non-verbal communication skills (and the importance of carrots as negotiation tools).

Member of the team of resume writers
Nathan Moseley
Senior Resume Editor & Resume Writer
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Nathan Moseley received his MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College and his BA in English from Kennesaw State University. He has worked as a translation editor for LUMINA Journal and WatchingAmerica.com. His fiction has appeared on The Other Stories podcast, and his first poetry chapbook—A Mouth Full of Feathers—came out in 2012. When he’s not writing or editing, Nathan can likely be found doing one of the following: playing the piano, getting lost while hiking, watching his friends run ultramarathons, or devising ways to visit the Galapagos Islands with his wife.

Member of the team of resume writers
Alisa Jackson
Senior Resume Writer & Resume Editor
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Alisa is a writer, editor, and musician with experience in both private and nonprofit organizations. She has been certified as a professional resume writer by the Professional Association of Resume Writers and holds a BA in political science from Brigham Young University. In her role as a software quality assurance analyst, she authored technical test plans, release documents, and user guides. She also edited and improved user interfaces. In her work with a non-profit organization, she has written and edited press releases, concert program notes, newspaper articles, and website content. In her free time, Alisa enjoys community theatre and can often be found at the piano preparing for her latest musical.

Member of the team of resume writers
Krasi Shapkarova
Resume Writer & Editor
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Krasi is a Certified Strengths Coach and a Certified Career Management Coach with 11+ years of experience as a career coach, writer, English tutor, and educator. She holds Masters of Arts (MA) in international human rights from the University of Denver and in clinical psychology from University of Houston - Clear Lake, as well as a Certificate in Teaching Writing from the Johns Hopkins University. In her role as associate director of coaching & education at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Krasi leveraged her enthusiasm for life design and professional storytelling to support business professionals through all steps of the career journey, including career exploration, networking, and mock interviewing. Writing has always been an essential aspect of Krasi’s life, and she is excited to help clients communicate their value to potential employers through high-quality documents and optimized LinkedIn profiles. When not working with clients, Krasi can be found exploring new and familiar places through walking, often hot on the trail of the most delicious baked goods in town.

Member of the team of resume writers
Becca Pieters
Resume Writer & Editor
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Becca received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Florida and spent several years as a singer/songwriter before taking a position as a research and administrative coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology at her alma mater. She worked with a faculty member, drafting/editing research documents, recommendation letters, research papers, and grants. With experience at a software company and a music-based nonprofit, she is familiar with information technology, business, the arts, academia, health science, and research. She enjoys glassblowing, studying foreign languages, and is known by friends for organizing concerts benefitting Gainesville Girls Rock Camp, with her pièce de résistance being a sparkling, sequined performance in the Dolly Parton cover band, Polly Darton.

Member of the team of resume writers
Melanie Ashkar
Senior Resume Editor & Resume Writer
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Melanie Ashkar is an editor and opera singer who is passionate about helping clients land their dream jobs, as well as helping writers find the best words to convey their ideas. A lifelong lover of language, Melanie holds a Master of Science in linguistics from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in music and linguistics from the University of Virginia (Phi Beta Kappa), in addition to her Master of Music in vocal performance from Mannes College, The New School for Music. Following her opera career across the United States and Europe, Melanie has performed over 30 opera roles. Like many artists, she has worked in a variety of industries. She leverages that broad knowledge for the benefit of her clients, honing their materials for fast and—dare we say—dramatic results.

More Top Resume Writers

Member of the team of resume writers
Hayden Gann
Senior Resume Writer & Editor
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In the last decade, Hayden has had a mix of technical, didactic, and creative experiences that have given him strong writing, editing, and communication skills. He has done marketing writing for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes in the business-to-consumer sector. In this job, he learned to control language precisely to motivate specific online audiences. He has also worked as a writing center consultant, helping his peers become better writers, and as an English composition instructor, teaching undergraduate students to write well. Other experience includes online composition curriculum development to facilitate distance learning. He combines these skills with a strong sense of empathy to serve others through his work.

Hayden holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in English literature from Drury University and Washington State University (WSU), respectively. A visual media fiend, he can usually be found in off hours in front of his TV watching sci-fi, indie, horror, and classic films. Otherwise, he enjoys walking his mutt, Rosey, often while looking over his shoulder with the last horror movie he watched still fresh in his mind.

Member of the team of resume writers
Jerad Karasek
Resume Writer
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Jerad has worked as a marketing copywriter, as well as a journalist for a Chicago magazine and an e-sports website, writing persuasive, informative, and entertaining pieces. He enjoys presenting his clients in the best light possible, helping them achieve their career goals with a polished resume and cover letter. Jerad received his Bachelor of Communication in journalism with a minor in English literature from DePaul University. When he's not writing, he enjoys hiking and unsuccessfully fishing, making memories with his family (like adopting a puppy from a Kentucky farm), and polishing his lightsaber collection.

Member of the team of resume writers
Melissa Fuimara
Resume Writer & Military Transition Specialist
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Melissa’s experience includes researching the job market, counseling candidates on job fit, editing resumes and cover letters, helping military personnel transition to the private sector, and preparing candidates for interviews. A military spouse, she has worked as a consultant, staffing specialist, and recruiter. Melissa holds a BA in psychology from Merrimack College and a MS in clinical psychology from California State University, Fullerton. In her downtime, she enjoys watching outdoor reality shows while conjuring up impractical business ventures related to them. Perhaps one day, you will see her fishing for tuna in Gloucester, panning for gold in Alaska, or surviving alone in the Arctic Circle for 100 days.

Member of the team of resume writers
Catherine Goode
Resume Writer & Editor
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As one of YES’s three professional opera singer staff members, Catherine has learned and leveraged a variety of branding and marketing skills for both her own work and to benefit her clients. Passionate about helping others put their best foot forward, she does persuasive writing and editing, designs websites for opera singers and other creatives, performs as a coloratura soprano, and teaches voice lessons. Catherine holds a master’s degree from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s from the University of Houston. When she isn’t working or attempting to break glass by singing high notes, Catherine enjoys reading cheesy romance novels, drinking iced London Fogs, and collecting supplies for craft projects she may or may not ever finish.

HR Advisory Team

Jamal S. Baadani
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Jamal S. Baadani is an award-winning recruiting executive and a retired U.S. Marine senior non-commissioned officer. Jamal has overseen departments and programs for numerous international companies and U.S. agencies. These include Constellis, Inova, Comcast, DynCorp International, AECOM, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State. Jamal specializes in coordinating expatriate and veteran hiring initiatives. He is also experienced with high-volume and executive recruiting. Using his diverse skill set, Jamal has built top-performing teams both domestically and internationally. He holds a master’s degree in human resources management from Concordia University.

Kristen Bell
SHRM-CP
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Kristen Bell is an HR director and Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) with over 20 years of HR leadership in the technology industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University. Kristen specializes in directing recruitment efforts for domestic and international staff. While with CSRA, she oversaw HR services for 500 employees. At CyberPoint, she established a focus group to develop diversity issues, such as an annual Women in Cybersecurity event that drew over 100 attendees and led to new hires. Kristen also spearheaded the talent acquisition process for the CyberPoint Abu Dhabi office, facilitating growth from 20 to over 130 expatriate staff.

Patrice Dascenzo
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Pattie is a trusted advisor with over 20 years’ experience delivering strategic HR programs that address business and operational needs in the healthcare, insurance, and legal services industries. While at Arora Group, Inc., she led HR functions for more than 800 geographically dispersed employees. As the director of employment with Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, PC, she led a recruiting team to hire over 120 physicians, executives, and operational staff members per year. Pattie develops and implements full-cycle professional recruitment, organizational development, workforce planning, and employee onboarding and engagement programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Cincinnati and is certified as a leadership and training instructor.

Tamika Mitchell
PHR, SHRM-CP
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Tamika Mitchell is the acting chief HR officer for Universal Service Administrative Company. She holds a master’s degree in HR and counseling from the University of Bridgeport and has over 10 years of HR and organizational development experience. Tamika specializes in talent management, training, and leadership coaching. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), as well as a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Tamika is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Northern Virginia Society for Human Resource Management, American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, and LeadingAge Virginia HR Committee.

Renata Sandham
PHR
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Renata Sandham is a senior HR leader with over 10 years of experience in HR policy and management. Ms. Sandham has special expertise in international recruitment and employee retention. As an HR manager for the United States Air Force, Renata assessed and placed over 600 Air Force recruiters. While at GroundProbe Pty Ltd, she provided HR guidance to 8 business managers located throughout Australia, China, Indonesia, South Africa, South America, and the United States. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Trident University International.

Anita Simmons
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Anita Simmons is an HR executive with more than 25 years of experience. For the past 15 years, she has been vice president and senior vice president of HR. Anita has overseen recruiting for the Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, helping it grow from 100 to 160 employees. At Lee Technologies, she transformed the employee benefits process, introducing changes that significantly reduced costs. Anita holds a master’s degree in HR administration from the University of Maryland—College Park. She specializes in implementing strategic initiatives for talent acquisition and retention.

Andrew Sylvia
PHR, SHRM-CP, CEAS
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Andrew Sylvia is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) with over 20 years of experience managing staffing needs, optimizing HR policies, and maximizing employee productivity. As the director of talent management for National Quality Forum, he has recruited, trained, and led engagement initiatives for a workforce of over 100 employees. During a time of rapid growth, he instituted the use of an applicant tracking system, enabling easy tracking of data used in affirmative action planning. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University. He is Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) certified, a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS).

Serving the Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fairfax VA, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, and Tampa metropolitan areas.

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(202) 740-3032

6544 Spring Valley Dr, Alexandria VA 22312