WHO WE ARE
Giving Focus LLC is a consulting firm specializing in professional career development for individuals seeking advancement, transition, return to, or entry into the workplace.
Giving Focus LLC was founded by Mary Louise Fazzano and for nearly 20 years it has assisted clients on 6 continents prepare for and begin the next phase of their career. From recent graduates and those climbing through the ranks to industry leaders, diplomats and academicians, we guide clients in confidential, one-on-one sessions.
The Giving Focus process includes planning a comprehensive job search, creating resumes and bios, fine tuning interviewing skills, negotiating the job and salary details, and navigating the first year in a new position.
We believe career planning is more effective when organized in close association with personal goals or special interests. Career advancement occurs when one has a focused, well-executed plan in place. Giving Focus LLC develops effective strategies to maximize the specific skills and accomplishments that individuals bring to the table in order to accomplish their career goals.
Giving Focus Services
Advisory Services
Focusing on You
• One-on-one conversations highlight your plans and goals
• Confidential discussions and brainstorming allow you to understand your true value
• Investigate your experience, knowledge and accomplishments to define your priorities
• Gaining confidence in describing your skills and abilities puts you at greater ease, which is key to the success of this process
Focusing Your Search
• Define your goals for this search
• Know yourself so you can tell others
• Prepare to explain who you are and what you will bring to your next role
• Understand the entire search process – from the long-term goals you set to the smallest details
Writing Services
Resumes
• Resumes are an essential element of any search. A truly effective resume serves as an individual’s marketing tool, highlighting his or her strengths.
• Two in-depth interviews are routinely required
• An initial draft is presented, followed by two detailed editing sessions.
Biographies
• A biography should convey as much essential, targeted information as possible to shape your background into the perfect “snap- shot caption” of your experience, strengths, and objectives.
• An extensive interviewing process is required
• An initial draft is presented, followed by two detailed editing sessions.
Search Services
Giving Focus will help you to develop techniques and strategies for refining your job search skills by enabling you
to anticipate and succinctly answer any type of question you might encounter.
Job Search - The Plan
The job search process is an “Organizational Event”. If you have your thoughts in order, your goals defined, your documents and questions prepared, and answers considered in advance, you will be better prepared for the active, ever- changing, goals-shifting, fluid process that is a productive job search.
Networking Plan
Any successful job search relies upon the fundamental skill of exploring personal connections or “Networking” in order to learn about potential opportunities within your field. Developing a networking plan can make a significant difference in your success rate.
Interview Coaching & Practice
Whether you are new to your career or progressing through the higher reaches of your industry, interviewing skills can always be “Tuned-Up” or improved. When under intense scrutiny, it is easy to forget that an interview is a two-way street. The end game is not the interview, it is the job, and how it relates to your career path.
Negotiating Coaching & Practice
Salary, benefits, and many essential elements of your compensation package are negotiable. Giving Focus prepares clients with proven techniques to negotiate to “Yes”.
MARY LOUISE FAZZANO
Mary Louise Fazzano is the President of Giving Focus LLC® a career consulting and advisory firm serving individuals at the start of their career, in transition, or seeking career advancement. She is known as an expert listener with clear, practical suggestions. More than 400 satisfied clients have recommended Giving Focus to colleagues and friends globally. Mary Louise creates targeted and customized resumes and biographies for clients pursuing unique professional opportunities. She started her career in Chicago as a recruiter with MKM Consultants where she achieved an exceptional record of performance, and also served as a consultant with Right Management.
Mary Louise spent the majority of her career in corporate philanthropy. Before establishing Giving Focus LLC®, she was a Managing Director at Changing Our World, Inc. a philanthropic consulting firm in New York City. She was the Director of the Hasbro Charitable Trust for over 10 years where financial grants and product donations benefitted more than one million children annually. Previously, she was the Director of Community Affairs at Stanley Fastening Systems.
Mary Louise serves on the Board of Directors of the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Advisory Board of Newport Eco-Tech; she is also a member of Women Corporate Directors and the Belizean Grove. She was an Adjunct Instructor at New York University’s Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising. She is an Emeritus Board member of Refugees International in Washington D.C. and a former member of the Advisory Council of Harvard University’s Center for Children’s Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. Mary Louise earned her BA from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Additional Giving Focus Services
START RESUMES
A resource for individuals starting their career when the first resume is critical
and with each new job search needing to update and strengthened their resume.
Please visit: www.startresumes.com
Giving Focus Testimonials
As a client, you are never alone in a search.
You have a champion.
She is a resume and bio whisperer! I know you'll enjoy working with her on making your already stellar background and experience shine even more.
Mary Louise provided me the launching pad to capitalize on other opportunities, after 18 years with one employer. She not only helped me create a resume and bio, but she was a great sounding board and resource for career advice. Mary Louise gave me the confidence to promote my accomplishments and pursue senior executive level positions. New doors have opened, my career has blossomed and I will always remain grateful for Mary Louise's support and guidance. I would recommend her to anyone seeking career advisory services.
You have the skills…
You have done the work and have a successful career…
Yet you have not completely
recognized those facts – simply because… You are too busy in your role.
Enter Mary Louise – not only does she acknowledge and focus your experiences – but she gives you that ever so needed boost called CONFIDENCE
Let’s talk about the next phase of your career...
Please schedule a telephone call with Mary Louise Fazzano to share information
about your current plans and learn more about the Giving Focus process.