I've been on all sides of the hiring equation
Hi I’m Sarah Baker Andrus.
I believe that as adults, eventually we have to figure out this thing called work. Of all the work I do, I’m at my happiest helping others find enduring satisfaction and meaning in the work they do.
I’ve spent my entire career immersed in everyone else’s careers – working on all sides of the hiring equation – as a career counselor, leading a recruiting team, and a serving as a hiring manager in the corporate world.
Today, I wear lots of hats. Along with my work as the founder and CEO of Avarah Careers, I serve as a facilitator with the Women’s Leadership Initiative at University of Delaware. I am currently president of the Forum for Executive Women of Delaware, a women’s professional group whose members are dedicated to supporting one another’s growth and advancement.
And, for the last 10+ years, I have pursued a meditation and mindfulness practice, completing a multi-year program through Unified Mindfulness, earning a certification as a Master Teacher/Trainer. I bring these strategies to the work I do with clients to help them navigate the inevitable challenges and frustration that can come with career change.
Taking risks can be transformative.
I know this from personal experience. Several years ago I made the leap from a high-stress, high-demand, executive marketing role, to my own entrepreneurial venture. This may not be the right path for everyone but there is never a wrong time to look inside, assess, and go for what you really want.
When it comes to our work, it’s okay – it’s RIGHT – to ask yourself, “Is this where I want to be?” If the answer is NOPE, I can help you make a change!
You are so much more than the qualifications needed to do the job.
My philosophy is that we each have a “portfolio” of knowledge, skills, talents, and traits that evolve from our life experiences and enhance the degrees and certifications we have. Together these make up our career portfolio. Like a stock portfolio, we should invest our career portfolio with care.
One thing I know for sure:
Whether it’s a first job, a career change, or a new employer these changes can be daunting and it helps to have guide.
Why work with a career coach?
Career coaching allows you to hit the pause button and take stock of where you are in your career. Working with this career coach means you move from “Will they hire me?” to “Do I want to work there?”
If you want to be somewhere else, we can get you there, and you will know it’s the right somewhere else.
What I love best…
I love sharing a client’s excitement when a new, perfect position is landed.
I love helping people, just like you, avoid the sometimes too long and often difficult journey back into the workforce after a layoff, or time spent at home raising children or caring for a family member.
I love seeing a young person with plenty of talent and a good education get the skills they need to ace the interviews so they can have a shot at a career they’ll enjoy.
Maybe most of all, I love seeing someone’s confidence return once we begin working together and they rediscover the value their skills and abilities will mean to the right company.
I’ve been on all sides of the hiring equation…
My 20+ years of experience on both sides of the recruiting process – as a career counselor and as a recruiter – means you get insider info where it counts. I know what goes on in the minds of the one hiring and what it takes to get in front of them. This includes sharing nuances about preparing for interviews and navigating the ever-changing online application process—and how to identify and land jobs that are rarely advertised.
The thing no one talks about…
It’s my contention that your mindset is just as important as your skill set. I’ve spent more than 20 years pursuing mastery in personal development and know the importance of managing our minds and beliefs as we navigate change. Facilitated self-exploration is a part of my process and our work in this area will serve you for a lifetime not just during your job search.
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The Rest About Me…
My Master’s Degree is in Adult Development and Education means I’m one of the few people who can actually say I use what I learned in grad school every day!
As an undergraduate? Well, my major – Soviet Foreign Policy – doesn’t even exist in the world anymore. I thought I’d go into the Foreign Service, but the world changed. I remind my classes at the University of Delaware of this all the time – it really doesn’t matter what you major in, it matters what you do with it! My major trained me to write and communicate diplomatically. It’s helped me in so many ways.
Early in my career I had several roles in Student Services and Career Counseling at the University of Maryland and Widener University, placing nearly 1,000 students in part-time and permanent positions. Most of these students were adults, including veterans, stay-at-home moms, and displaced workers, who chose to return to school to advance their careers. Helping these students pursue their dreams was some of the most satisfying work I have ever done.
CLIENTS Who Found Their career fit
I am glad I found Sarah – I will recommend her to anyone…
She is very personable, and she always knows what to say about things that are unclear to me. In the early months of my job search, I looked for someone who could help me. I am glad I found Sarah. I will recommend her to anyone who is struggling with job searching and career coaching. I will stay with Sarah and continue to be my career coach/mentor.
-Sheree D., Clinical Study Manager
