One Size Doesn’t Fit All

One of the biggest lies the fashion industry tells consumers is, “one size fits all.”   One size does NOT fit all.  It’s nice if one size fits most.  But a lot of the time it’s more like, “One size fits some.”  Trust and believe that I have had many moments in fitting rooms where that “one size fits all” tag and I had some words.  

That’s really what we are seeing in the industry now as well!  It’s not as simple as, “I need a résumé.  I need a coach.”  Every job seeker is looking for relatable, reliable help but it’s not ever going to be, ‘one size fits all’ ever again.  

Customization has always been a luxury of professional career services, but today it goes far beyond tailoring keywords for an applicant tracking system. It’s about tailoring the experience

I’ve had the privilege of proctoring the Live Coaching with Diane, the Live CIC Cohort, and the Insights webinars and there is a recurring thread among the experts who lead these sessions.  It’s listening to your client focusing on your client.  Denise Bitler’s Master Series about Navigating Client Pushback is really about asking the questions to find out what your client actually needs and maybe that isn’t what they think they need!  

A thing I always admire about successful career professionals is that you are also exceptional observers. You notice the important details – a recurring theme in someone’s work history, a hidden transferable skill, a leadership pattern they hadn’t recognized in themselves. Those observations become the foundation of strategies that AI simply cannot invent because they emerge from genuine human interaction.

When thousands of job seekers use the same prompts to create similar résumés, similar LinkedIn profiles, and similar cover letters, differentiation becomes harder. Generic content is no longer enough. Employers aren’t just looking for polished language; they’re looking for authenticity.  WHO are they hiring?

Your  work is no longer just about writing better résumés. It’s about uncovering better stories.  It isn’t about having the *right* answer for the, “Tell me about yourself” questions. It’s about focusing on individual strengths.  

It’s about helping clients articulate accomplishments they forgot, recognize strengths they undervalue, and communicate a professional brand that feels authentic rather than manufactured.

Technology can accelerate our work, improve efficiency, and eliminate repetitive tasks. We should embrace those advantages. But let’s never confuse efficiency with expertise

The professionals who will thrive are those who leverage technology to save time while investing even more deeply in the conversations, coaching, strategy, and personalization that clients cannot get from a chatbot.  Having those authentic relationships creates a bespoke experience for your client.

Great coaching and writing isn’t one size fits all – it is customized and personalized!