Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Edwards.
Hi Susan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born & raised in Augusta, GA, I am a true southern girl! There’s only one way to drink tea, I’ve never met a stranger, and I always use my manners!
My college years were spent in Statesboro at Georgia Southern University where I graduated with my BBA in Human Resources. Since college, I’ve lived in the one place I swore as a child I never would: the state of South Carolina. Since 2007, my home has been Hilton Head Island, SC where I’ve established my own roots with my husband and two children!
I’m an accomplished Human Resources Director with over 20 years of experience working in the Hospitality industry. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I found myself in a position to finally make one of my childhood dreams come true- owning my own business!
I started my Career Coaching & Job Search Consulting business because I am passionate about helping others uncover their true talents and build the confidence needed to navigate the unfamiliar world of job searching!
I am truly blessed to share the knowledge and skills I have acquired over the years with my clients! I also bring a unique perspective because I never quit my day job: I’m still a Human Resources Director full-time and my coaching business is done part-time! Sitting on both sides of the table is a real advantage for a Career Coach and my clients really appreciate the real-time stories I am able to share with them!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My #1 struggle was taking the leap of courage and just getting it started! When I originally started Forwards Career Services (www.ForwardsCareerServices.com), I just knew I liked helping people. The days in my career where I’ve always felt the most fulfilled were the days when I was able to help another person/department/team solve a problem.
My biggest internal struggle was deciding how much I could fit into a part-time business- was it better for me to help small businesses with their HR needs such as compliance & benefit-types of items or would I be happier helping individuals navigate thru a stressful time in their life (job-searching). I decided on the latter because that’s where my heartstrings were tugging me the most.
After that, there was a multitude of things I needed to learn, such as target market, niching down, content creation & management for social media, and balancing it all with two small children.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Human Resources Director during the day, Career Coach & Job Search Consultant during the evening, and Mom by night! As many women tend to be very organized and have an amazing ability to multi-task, I’m also most comfortable when my plate is full.
As a Career Coach & Job Search Consultant, I bring positivity, support, and a great deal of knowledge to my clients. I limit the amount of clients that I work with each month so that I can dedicate the proper amount of time to each individual and this has been very beneficial for all of my clients because I can work into and around their schedules. The biggest factor that sets me apart from others is that I am still very active in the world of Human Resources.
Having both my PHR and SHRM-CP certifications also showcases my dedication to the profession of Human Resources and confirms that my knowledge remains current. This allows my clients to know that the value I bring is relevant and current with the job market, labor trends, and any other area of HR they want to learn about such as compensation, benefits, or training.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For anyone starting out as a Career Coach, I highly recommend networking with other entrepreneurs to learn from them. Join as many free networking groups as possible. Make connections and do not be afraid to ask for referrals!
Contact Info:
- Email: ForwardsCareerServices@gmail.com
- Website: www.ForwardsCareerServices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forwards.career.services/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forwardscareerservices/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4AP_f9XxCn8Xk78UajCyJQ
