Analytical Accounting Professional
July 19, 2021, David was a client of Jan’s

Jan was a great resource to have through my job search. She played an important role in revamping my resume and LinkedIn profile. She pointed out things that I had no idea would matter. What made her standout compared to a traditional recruiter was her willingness to review my current resume and actually provide suggestions to help get me noticed. I don’t know how many times I’ve shared my resume with other recruiters looking for suggestions and their response being - looks great, I’ll let you know what they say. She was also available later in the evenings which was really helpful since it was difficult to talk during the day while at work and allowed for us to spend unrushed time to focus on the job search. I would highly recommend reaching out to her if you’re considering a change.

Financial Services Sales and Marketing Professional
June 16, 2021, Siobhan was a client of Jan’s

Working with Jan and @Playbook 500 was a great experience. Her strategies to help you maximize your connections and create the much-needed ability to get your resume to the top of the candidate list is pure genius. She also prepares you for the series of interviews so you are focused and can make the best of impressions. Her ability to navigate the job market is unmatched. I learned three things from Jan: 1) Never underestimate yourself 2) Follow up is an art form...even if it makes you uncomfortable 3) Asking others for help is essential I highly recommend working with her to implement the @Playbook 500 strategy for your next role.

Sales Development Representative at Rubrik, Inc.
May 27, 2021, Reed was a client of Jan’s

Jan was an incredible resource and friend in helping me find a job. Her experience and understanding throughout the entire job search process were an absolute game changer and helped me gain so much confidence. Some of the main areas that helped me the most were the connections I gained on LinkedIn through Jan’s techniques which allowed me to further network and make new contacts at my new company, her ability to refine and simplify my resume to better stand out amongst other applicants, and her pre-and-post interview preparation and debriefings which allowed me to approach each interview more confident than ever before. I had been searching for jobs for over six months before I started working with Jan, and I secured a job at my top company in less than 3 weeks thanks to her help! I highly recommend her service to anyone looking to find a job straight out of school—I could not have done it this efficiently without her. Thank you, Jan!

Senior Business Systems Analyst at Salsify
May 21, 2021, Fred was a client of Jan’s

It is my pleasure to recommend Jan! Her insight and expertise helped me feel well prepared, polished, and confident throughout the networking, interviewing and negotiation process. Jan's unique strategy truly changed my perspective of how to approach opportunities in the job market. The skillset I've learned from PlayBook500 empowered and energized me to find a role that was a good fit for me culturally. Most importantly, Jan goes above and beyond to make herself available. Even though I was balancing working full-time and online classes, Jan found a time that accommodated my schedule to meet regularly for feedback. Jan was also very responsive whenever I reached out with questions, providing me with excellent guidance. There is no other service like PlayBook500. Unlike agency recruiters, Jan represents one talent at a time and does not create any competition. Thank you, Jan, for everything!

Sales Development Representative at MakeMeReach
November 10, 2020, Connor was a client of Jan’s

Jan was an absolute pleasure to work with. I connected with Jan through a friend in the summer and as soon we spoke Jan was immediately helpful. She completely transformed my LinkedIn profile, making it highly professional and organized. Additionally, Jan's work ethic and service is above and beyond. She is always one text away and genuinely cares about the clients she works with. From LinkedIn profiles, follow-up emails, cover letters, and 1 on 1 interview prep, Jan’s Playbook500 is unlike any career service and truly does it all. If you are looking for a new career opportunity, Jan is a valuable resource to have and I highly recommend reaching out.

Registered Compliance Professional 
August 15, 2020, Donna M. was a client of Jan's

It has been a while since I last undertook a job search, and Playbook Services provided tremendous strategic assistance. The networking benefits, especially from intensive LinkedIn training, were absolutely critical to me developing my professional network. Jan takes the time to understand her client’s needs and objectives and is collaborative in building and executing a custom plan towards the end goal! Thank-you Jan! I am really happy with the results and enjoyed working with you.

-Donna Kelly

Senior Consultant in Performance Improvement - Wealth & Asset Management at EY
June 26, 2020, Austin was a client of Jan's

Working with Jan was a pleasure. For anyone who is serious about getting high caliber interviews with a "strategic" approach I'd suggest reaching out to Jan. Jan is not only a career coach but a mentor and a friend. She is not afraid to tell it how it is either which is critical for achieving success in the interview process. One thing that separates Playbook from other services is the fact that Jan is always available and her approach to using LinkedIn and other Playbook related sources leads to successful outcomes; it all comes down to the client experience. I recall countless times where I needed her to "prep" me for an interview on short notice. With these situations I'd give her a call and even if she is on the treadmill at 9:30pm she'll answer, stop what she's doing, and prep you with everything you need. I worked with recruiters in the past and from my experience working with Playbook engendered so many more opportunities.

Oncology Sales Specialist at Fortovia Therapeutics
April 20, 2020, Torianio (Tory) was a client of Jan’s

Jan was fantastic! I was looking to explore new sales opportunities within the biotech/pharmaceutical space and was connected with Jan as someone that could give me the professional makeover that I needed. Jan was helpful in recommending and making changes and updates to my resume. Jan worked with me to ensure that my LinkedIn profile had more of a professional look and feel to it. When it came time interview Jan was there to assist in preparing for interviews and provided feedback. By utilizing Jan and her services I was able to secure a new role within the biotech sector.

Senior Equity Research Analyst at CastleArk Management LLC
March 29, 2020, Michael was a client of Jan's

I connected with Jan after seeing her post on how to make simple but effective changes to one's profile. I had reached out to her in an effort to make my LinkedIn profile more professional. She responded to my message within minutes and we were on the phone shortly thereafter. With just a quick call, Jan made recommendations on beefing up and trimming down my About and Experience sections, pruning connections, posting a cover picture, and showed me an example of another client's profile as a frame of reference. I recommend a quick call with Jan on how to improve your LinkedIn profile even for people not actively looking for new opportunities.

Director at Mercator Advisory Group
March 26, 2020, Peter W. was a client of Jan’s

Jan was truly remarkable to work with. The amount of contacts Jan has across multiple industries is astounding. Jan was able to provide deep subject matter expertise and support during my job search. We spoke on a regular basis which assisted with my focus on my search and her advice and counsel was invaluable. Playbook is a highly effective and unique approach for reaching many potential employers in a short amount of time. Unlike an "Agency Recruiter" Jan sits on the same side of table as you. She has flexible hours including weekends by appointment and will work around your schedule as needed. She also assisted me with how to best utilize LinkedIn and how to build a relevant and robust network. I would recommend Jan and her Playbook service to anyone who is looking for a new opportunity.

Senior Endowment Investment Accountant at Boston College
February 29, 2020, Larry was a client of Jan’s

After searching for a position for six months and feeling I was getting nowhere, I signed onto Jan's Playbook program. Her assistance with making my resume more concise, and with updating my LinkedIn profile, was very helpful. She also was there to bounce things off, related to networking, interviews and the general approach to a job search. I finally landed a role and Jan was a big help in getting there. Jan's Playbook program is an excellent value and I highly recommend her to anyone who is searching for a job.

Executive Assistant At the Trustees of Reservations
February 24, 2020, Danielle was a client of Jan's

For anyone who has been to a traditional staffing agency to find a new opportunity and ended up frustrated, should reach out to Jan Richards. Her personalized approach has changed the rules. After meeting with multiple Recruiters in Boston, I was referred to Jan and her PlayBook business. It is a definite game changer. It starts with a form of “re-branding”, including a resume refresh and LinkedIn makeover. However, being shown how to really utilize LinkedIn is what made the difference. Once a potential role is identified, Jan will work with you no matter what time of day or night coaching you to the finish line. PlayBook cares about the cultural fit as much as the firm. Working with Jan and her PlayBook business model gave me the knowledge, insight and confidence to navigate and secure the perfect position. If you are just beginning your job search or are already frustrated with recruiters who do not have your best interests in mind, reach out to Jan. You won’t regret it.

Valuation Associate - Complex Financial Instruments at Grant Thornton LLP
December 24, 2019, David was a client of Jan's

Jan’s process through her playbook program helped me identify the career path I was looking for. It opened me up to positions I wouldn’t have thought of or had access to without her help and guidance. I highly recommend any young professional who is just starting out, any experienced professional at a crossroads, or any industry veteran looking for a change to have a conversation with Jan.

Senior Paralegal at Axcella
October 21, 2019, Eugenio was a client of Jan’s

In this day in age being busy at home and at work with time being so limited it doesn’t give you much time to prepare for the rigorous process on searching for a career opportunity. Jan’s Playbook strategies provided the appropriate guidance and advice to prepare me for the vigorous search. She provided an unbelievable service by restructuring my resume, LinkedIn, and mock interviews. Her flexibility allowed me to connect with her late in the evening after I was done working and preparing my kids for their next day at school. We had several discussions before and after every interview. Initially she reviewed my thank you notes until I became a pro on drafting Thank you notes. She is one of kind and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my career. I’ve recommended her to dozens of people and continue to do so. One of a kind career coach!

Multi-Talented Administrative Professional
November 1, 2018, Suzanne was a client of Jan’s

I hired Jan through her PlayBook service which resulted in my LinkedIn profile getting noticed and potential employers reaching out to me directly. My new profile is robust and professional and Jan also worked with me on how best to use the platform. I have also been contacted by a number of Recruiters; however, Jan's service eliminated the need for me having to work with anyone else. Jan is very connected and has inroads at most investment firms in Boston and once you become a PlayBook client she will work as your advocate. Jan has really created a service that nobody else offers and it works extremely well. If you are conducting a search and want to avoid the traditional staffing route, reach out to Jan. You will not be sorry!

Wealth Advisor at One Charles Private Wealth
October 25, 2018, Jennifer was a client of Jan’s

I worked with Jan and she is hands down the best Recruiter I have ever worked with. Jan kept me on her radar for several years until the right opportunity came up. She was available almost 24/7 including weekends. Jan prepared me for my interviews and also listened to what I had to say after each meeting. She collaborated with me to write well-crafted follow up notes and also with salary negotiation. Jan is an all-around full service professional who can not only find you an outstanding opportunity but her PlayBook service will help you with your professional brand. After working with Jan everything changed. I highly recommend her to find you a new opportunity or to help you with your resume and LinkedIn profile!

Staff Accountant at True Fit Corporation
September 25, 2018, Jane was a client of Jan’s

Jan was extremely helpful during my job search. She helped me reconstruct my resume and LinkedIn profile to be more appealing to companies. More importantly, her coaching and interview techniques improved my ability to talk about myself with confidence, ask the right questions and use effective follow up techniques. I highly recommend Jan to anyone looking to make a career change!

Client Service Associate at GW&K Investment Management
April 18, 2018, James was a client of Jan’s

I recently worked with Jan and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to make a change. Jan helped me with every step, from identifying my goals, finding potential opportunities and then preparing for interviews. Her attention to detail and industry knowledge proved invaluable. I also appreciated that she made herself available at short notice on multiple occasions to strategize and answer questions. All in all, I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with Jan

Investment Banking Analyst at Covington Associates
November 12, 2017, Alissa was a client of Jan’s
 
When I partnered with Jan in my recent job search, everything changed. I went from applying to jobs on the internet with a marginal response rate, to getting three interviews with very prestigious firms in one day!

I felt from day one Jan always had my best interest and truly wanted me to succeed. She was always available via text, email, phone any time of day and would always call me right away with any revelations in my applications. One of my favorite attributes about Jan is her honesty, she's a straight-shooter and would never sugar coat things.

I would recommend Jan to both job applicants and employers due to her expansive network in Boston. I have never worked with a recruiter like Jan - most of the recruiters in the Boston area rely on cold-calling, and aren't able to offer you multiple options. Jan's offerings were very dynamic, and she helped me talk through the pros and cons of each open position and company, again, very honestly.

I will be starting at my new firm shortly, thanks to Jan, and I couldn't be happier!

Business Development Representative at Guaranteed Rate
July 22, 2016, Rohit was a client of Jan’s
 
Jan being from the East Coast is a real straight shooter. She is unlike any other recruiter I have ever worked with in the past. She went above and beyond to help assist and guide me to the right career path. I would recommend Jan to anyone needing assistance finding a job. Truly a pleasure to work with her.

VP of Operations at Wellington Management
February 8, 2016, Ryan was a client of Jan’s

Jan is a very knowledgeable and strategically assertive recruiter that does a fantastic job of matching her clients with the proper company. I would recommend Jan for anyone who is looking to work with a really talented and professional executive recruiting agency.

Vice President, Project Delivery at State Street
August 13, 2015, Henry W. was a client of Jan’s

I have known Jan for close to six years and worked collaboratively with her on several occasions. Jan is passionate, focused and driven to work with her clients to achieve results. Jan's insights and advice helped me understand how to market myself and identify where I can be a key contributor, but also challenged me to consider what characteristics contribute to my professional worth. In addition, Jan helped me overhaul my CV and introduced me to LinkedIn and how to use it to showcase my personal brand. Jan is a consummate professional, a joy to work with, and I recommend Jan to anyone who needs career advice or job placement.

Fixed Income Portfolio Analyst at Wellington Management
July 8, 2015, David was a client of Jan’s

I would highly recommend Jan to anyone who is seeking advice on making a career move in the investment management industry. She is an incredible resource to use when preparing for interviews and negotiating compensation. With her tips, she gave me the confidence to go into an interview knowing what questions to ask and how to respond to tough questions. Jan is very professional and always makes herself available if you have a question, even at night and on the weekends. She is truly an invaluable help in your interview process.

Principal, Head of US Client Service at Partners Capital
April 2, 2015, Steve was a client of Jan’s

Jan is a true professional and was an outstanding coach throughout my entire job search process. She was able to make the experience very personal, which was important to me as someone without much experience interviewing. Jan was committed to being available at virtually anytime I had questions, and was instrumental in all facets of the interview process. She strongly emphasized preparedness by setting up one-on-one prep calls the evening before each interview, where she provided a wealth of support, insight, and armed me with countless questions to ask as well as ones to prepare to be asked. Even after the interviews, Jan was very interested in my thoughts and feelings about how the conversations unfolded - making sure to jot down notes and reference them later on. Most importantly to me is the unwavering honesty and transparency that Jan has displayed from the first day I spoke with her, through today. She made me feel very comfortable, positive, and self-assured, in an otherwise daunting situation. I would not hesitate to recommend Jan to anyone looking to take the next step in their career.

Operations | Client Service Professional

I am so grateful for the way Jan has helped me put my career back on track and get my life in order. When I came in contact with Jan back in 2019, I wanted to shape my career and focused on my skillset and passion. I was seeking new employment with no success, including new career avenues. I had stopped seeking fund accounting opportunities and want to focus on the big picture. How my skillset and passion would work in a different environment. Covid interrupted the world in 2020, and Jan was there to help me find the best avenue moving forward. She arranged interviews for me with Private Wealth firms within weeks, and virtual interview during a time where everything was unpredictable and unstable. Jan worked with me to model my LinkedIn for the role and prepped me before each interview for performance. I am now happily employed as a Portfolio Operations Associate at an Asset Management firm and have Jan’s preparation and support entirely to thank. I recommend her wholeheartedly for anyone who is seeking help finding their own career path.

Research Associate l at Absorption Systems, a Pharmaron company

I first heard about Jan’s service though a recommendation given to me last year, and I’m very happy that I took their advice to work with her. Right after I graduated college, I had a lot of questions about entering the job market. Jan was able to speed up this process for me, and not only prepared me for finding my current position but for the rest of my career moving forward. As well as working to improve my LinkedIn, cover letter, and resume, what helped me the most was how she prepared me for my interviews. Together we ran through what I should expect in every stage of the interview process and really helped me navigate the hiring field. Overall, I recommend Jan’s services to any young professional In any industry.

October 4, 2021, Daniel was a client of Jan’s

Jan was truly helpful with the job hunt. She does more than just put together a resume for you. She put me in touch with different people throughout the industry and helped to build connections. The connections she built for me will continue to help me down the road. Her help with the job hunt is tremendous, she will be honest about the job and the company. If you aren’t qualified, she will tell you, so you don't waste your time. If you are qualified, she will go to great lengths to try and get your resume to the right people, so you get the interview. Whenever I would find a job, I was truly interested in Jan would find a connection to get my resume in the door. We never had to use the black hole of submitting your application and hoping to hear back. The best part is she doesn't give up until you have an offer

Managing Director, Regional Business Leader at First Republic Private Wealth Management
May 29, 2021, Janet was a client of Jan’s

Jan is the founder of SearchGroup500. Jan brings decades of experience as a search professional to help college students land their dream job. I got to know Jan through her work in financial services recruiting and was so impressed with her and her success in coaching college students that I hired her to work with my son who was a senior in college. Jan worked with him to develop an effective search strategy and was there to coach him every step of the way. She leveraged her expansive professional network to get him interviews, she spent time reviewing his resume and prepping him for the interviews. She helped him gain the added confidence and skill necessary to land his dream job! Jan is a rockstar and her clients achieve amazing results with her help. She also works with job seekers from upcoming and fresh graduates to more seasoned professionals seeking a new opportunity.