John’s idea to start an employment service, originally called The Data Processing Connection (later renamed Diversified Personnel Consultants), stemmed from his unforgettable experience as a recent college graduate struggling to find post-graduation employment. At the time, John quickly learned that neither employment agencies nor most employers valued his college degree. Time and time again, he was told that to be considered for a job, he needed “real-world experience.”
After months of job searching, John finally landed his first professional position in data processing, a field he would go on to work in for six years. Eventually, he was promoted to management, and, to his surprise, found himself in the awkward position of having to turn away college graduates—just like himself—because they lacked practical work experience. These experiences of frustration and rejection ultimately inspired John to create an employment service focused on helping college graduates find their first job.
The Start of the Journey
John’s first task was to determine whether he could actually help recent graduates secure their first post-college job. He began by identifying companies that had a history of hiring entry-level graduates. He quickly realized that most of these companies were large corporations, and they typically did not pay recruitment fees for hiring recent grads. Additionally, many of these companies hired directly from colleges, leaving John to consider other options. Despite these challenges, John’s passion for helping recent graduates kept him moving forward.
With no formal experience in career counseling or job search strategies, John dove into learning everything he could about resume writing and job hunting. He went to his local library and checked out every book on the subject. He lined up the books on his dining room table, covering up the library tags with a piece of wood to hide the fact that they were overdue. At this point, John had no office, no computer, no degree or accolades on the wall, and not even a single example of a resume he’d written. All he had were the borrowed books, a pencil sharpener, and an unwavering determination.
The First Step
Determined to get the word out, John placed a $19 ad in a local newspaper. The ad was simple and a bit vague: “Computers Entry Level job search call 401-555-1212.” He had no idea if anyone would respond, but the next day, John and his wife Kathy were shocked when the phone rang off the hook. In fact, they had no idea what to do if someone actually called.
One of the first calls came from a young man with a recent college degree. He asked John what services he offered and how much it would cost. John, unsure of how much to charge, blurted out, “How does $25 sound?” The caller was surprised, asking if John would really do all that work for so little. John, feeling the pressure but also fueled by his desire to help, agreed and scheduled his first appointment.
A Humbling Beginning
When the young man arrived at John’s home, John was embarrassed that his young son, Cody, began to cry in the next room. But then, something remarkable happened. As John looked the young man in the eye, he saw himself—his own struggles, his own frustrations. At that moment, John made a vow to himself: he would stop at nothing to help this young man find a job. He would call hundreds of companies, send thousands of resumes—he was determined to succeed. John worked 50 hours a week at his regular job to support his family and worked tirelessly in his new venture at night.
The First Breakthrough
John started by reworking the young man’s resume by hand and then inputting it into a mainframe computer. This was no easy task—mainframe computers in those days were cumbersome, with no spell check and only one font style. But John was undeterred. He began calling companies in hopes of landing his first client an interview, though most employers were not interested in someone so fresh out of college. Meanwhile, inquiries about his service continued to flood in, and John found himself in the ironic position of telling people to send their resumes—exactly what employers had told him when he was job hunting.
Despite this setback, John kept calling companies, and soon enough, a few started expressing interest. His breakthrough came when he contacted Amica Insurance, which was hiring entry-level computer programmers. John submitted his client’s resume and followed up with the company. A few days later, his client received an interview, and within three weeks, he was hired. John’s persistence had paid off, and he had finally earned the first $25 he had ever made from his new business.
A New Approach to Career Counseling
Through his first experience, John realized that many college graduates lacked not only job experience but also the knowledge of how to effectively search for employment. Most of them were passive in their job searches and had never been taught how to network, craft resumes, or interview. John’s solution was to take a more hands-on approach—he wouldn’t just teach; he would demonstrate how to get a job, right alongside his clients.
John invited 5-6 clients into his home at a time, asking them to bring their resumes and help-wanted ads. He encouraged them to focus on ads that said “No Phone Calls Please!”—and then showed them exactly how to bypass the gatekeepers and get in touch with the hiring manager directly. He’d make calls on behalf of his clients, scheduling interviews and even walking them through the process step by step.
John’s clients were amazed at how often he was able to get through to hiring managers. He demonstrated how to approach companies that weren’t advertising aggressively or weren’t taking many calls. And if a company used a P.O. box in its ad, John would simply call the post office to find out who owned the box, then call the company directly.
The Results Speak for Themselves
One day, John had a 20-minute conversation with the CEO of a company while pretending to be his client, George. Despite the unusual situation, the CEO agreed to an interview, and George was offered two positions. John’s success was undeniable, and though his methods were unconventional, they worked. Clients were getting hired, and John’s business began to grow.
Through this process, John’s initial nervousness faded. He learned that helping his clients required more than just teaching them skills—it required showing them how to take initiative and go after what they wanted. His methods were not always textbook, but they were effective.
The Legacy
John’s business flourished, and Diversified Personnel Consultants became known for its hands-on, results-driven approach to career counseling. He continued to work with college graduates, showing them how to secure their first job, while helping many others navigate the often frustrating and overwhelming job market.
Looking back, John knew that his success wasn’t just about writing resumes or making calls—it was about understanding the pain and struggle of those who were just like him years ago. He knew that, like him, they needed more than just a resume. They needed a mentor, a guide, and someone who truly cared about their success.
John’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and a willingness to go above and beyond to help others achieve their dreams.
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