The world’s best companies are notoriously hard to get into.
Luckily, you have inside help.
Hello! I’m Sue Johnston.
As a mother of two, I know the worry of your child not being able to secure their dream job. As a seasoned sales professional, I can do something about it.
I am a retired sales executive with over 31 years of experience and more than $1 billion in career sales. During my tenure at Amazon and Microsoft, I interviewed over 100 candidates for roles spanning Sales, Marketing, Finance, Communications, Engineering, and Product Management. At Amazon, I also served as a Bar Raiser—an elite interviewer responsible for maintaining high hiring standards across the company. Following my retirement from corporate sales, I became a career mentor and am now Board Chair with the Sujeeth Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping students secure their first jobs through mentorship, networking, and career development resources. While working with many college students through the foundation, I realized that I could help additional students with direct one on one coaching.
What I can offer you:
Interview
Skills
Prepare for the entire life cycle of interviewing for a job (mock interviews, HR screening, in person interviews, video etiquette).
Personal Branding
Develop your story, how to tell it, and why the people hiring you care. Build your brand and stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Career
Planning
Review key strengths and target specific areas for employment. Build a networking and interview strategy with regular check-ins to validate the approach.
Networking
Best practice recommendations for networking leveraging LinkedIn, college career centers, alumni networks, and focused community affiliations.
Start your journey with Sue today!
You graduated! Congratulations!
But now you have no idea what the next step is to secure your dream job. Are you confused how to effectively navigate the networking business world? Have you applied to jobs and received no responses, or maybe even landed an interview only to be ghosted by the recruiter? With my help, you will learn to showcase your experiences and reframe them in a business context showing potential employers why your past success is a leading indicator of future performance. You will create a compelling brand that will stand above the others both in the network and interview process.
If this sounds like something you could use help with, please reach out for a complimentary conversation!
Sue was the exact support I needed during one of the most uncertain times in my life. I was navigating a tough market, visa restrictions, and a pivot into a new industry—and she met me with zero judgment.
Anna VanDuzer, client
You are more proud than you thought possible!
More than anything, you want them to succeed.
Are you the proud parent of a recent graduate who is struggling to land interviews? Worried about how AI and automated hiring systems might impact their chances? Are your well-meaning suggestions about networking or interviewing being met with resistance—or falling on deaf ears? Perhaps you’re concerned your student is losing confidence in today’s challenging job market. You are not alone. Many parents find that bringing in an impartial, expert coach provides the structure, accountability, and proven strategies needed to turn the job search into a job offer. If this sounds like your child, let’s connect for a complimentary conversation.
My son worked with Sue after college graduation. She was enthusiastic about his prospects and worked with him on building a resume, an elevator speech to describe and promote himself and interview prep. We cannot express enough what a difference this made for us.
Susan Seiler, parent
What people are saying about Sue
James Hicks
Working with Sue has prepared me well for entering the job market after college. After working with Sue, I feel prepared for any interview life throws at me!
Jane Krsnik
Sue is extremely knowledgeable, direct, and caring, which, for me, was exactly the kind of support I needed to feel confident applying for jobs, going into interviews, and starting a new role.
Peggy Cepek
My daughter is a recent college graduate trying to navigate the unknown of the workforce. Sue jumped in and helped her make sense of all of it.
Avi Sujeeth
Sue brings a rare combination of clarity, warmth, and strategic insight to her mentoring. I’d recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a career mentor or partner who truly knows how to help others succeed.
Susan Seiler
My son worked with Sue after college graduation. Having Sue work with my son took the family stress out of the picture. She is an expert in the field and I’m just “Mom”. We cannot express enough what a difference this made for us.
Rosemary Evers
Sue is a caring, insightful and resourceful individual that reaffirmed my feelings about searching for my next role. Sue gave me the confidence to keep moving forward in a competitive environment.
Lucy Xue
Sue is an amazing mentor and person. I would highly recommend her for anyone looking for a kind, knowledgeable and invaluable career mentor.
Anna VanDuzer
Sue was the exact support I needed during one of the most uncertain times in my life. Sue is not just a coach, she’s a partner in your corner who sees your potential even when you’re struggling to.
Still have questions?
Find the answers in our basic FAQs:
How many of your clients have secured a job?
As of today, 100% of the clients I’ve supported over the past year have secured a job!
What is the first step?
First Offer Coaching will offer a free consultation to determine if we’re a good fit. Consultation scheduling is determined on my capacity. My expertise is in sales and marketing, but I also help clients use tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, AI-driven job search strategies, and offer honest feedback on résumés, personal storytelling, and how to get past resume screening bots.
How often do we meet?
Typically, we meet weekly, with homework in between. If you have interviews coming up, we may add extra sessions for focused preparation.
Are interviews mostly in-person or remote? Can you help with both?
Most initial recruiter or HR screen interviews are done remotely through Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Some companies conduct the full process virtually, while others now include in-person interviews as return-to-office policies expand. I help clients prepare for both formats.
I’m applying for a sales role. Can you help me negotiate the offer?
Absolutely. I’ll equip you with key questions to ask and factors to consider—territory, commission structure, quota, sales draws, guarantees, repayment clauses, and more. My goal is to empower you to negotiate confidently. I do not communicate directly with hiring companies on your behalf.
I’m getting interviews but no offers. Can you help with that?
Yes. We’ll review your interview performance, communication style, and how effectively you’re conveying your fit for the role. Small adjustments often make a big difference.
What if I’m not sure what job I want yet?
We can work together to clarify your goals, strengths, and interests, then develop a job search strategy aligned with your desired career path.
How does AI affect my job search?
AI is commonly used in resume screening (ATS systems) and some initial assessments. I help you optimize your resume and application strategy to navigate these systems while preparing you for the real human interviews that follow.
How many interviews have you conducted?
During my career at Microsoft and Amazon, I conducted over 100 interviews. About half were for early-career candidates applying for internships or full-time roles.
How many meetings does it typically take?
Most clients secure a job offer within five meetings. Some may require additional sessions if interview opportunities are slower to develop.
Is there a minimum number of sessions?
No. You can book as few or as many sessions as you need. Some clients seek help with a specific part of the process—such as interview prep or offer negotiation—while others prefer full-cycle support.
Why hire an interview coach? Doesn’t AI handle this now?
While AI plays a role in resume screening, real interviews are still conducted by humans. Companies are assessing your competence, communication skills, cultural fit, and enthusiasm for the role—all within a single conversation. Without practice, many candidates struggle to tell their story effectively. My coaching helps you demonstrate that you can do the job, fit the team, and contribute immediately.
Can you help be improve my LinkedIn profile?
Yes. Your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression. We will help you optimize it to attract recruiters and highlight your strengths.
Can you help if I don’t have any professional experience?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are recent graduates. First Offer Coaching focuses on highlighting transferable skills, academic projects, internships, volunteer work, and personal strengths to business relevance.
What industries do you specialize in?
My core expertise is in sales, marketing, customer success, and related roles in tech and services. However, many job search strategies—especially around networking, interviewing, and negotiation—are applicable across industries.
While I don’t coach technical problem-solving or coding challenges, First Offer Coaching can help with the non-technical aspects of the job search—networking, storytelling, interview skills, and offer negotiation—which are critical for all roles.
Do you help with cover letters?
Yes. First Offer Coaching can help craft targeted, impactful cover letters that complement your resume and highlight why you’re a strong fit for the role.
What’s the difference between what you do and a university career center?
University career centers are a great resource but often general and limited in time. First Offer Coaching offers customized, one-on-one coaching with practical, real-world advice drawn from decades of corporate experience.