Your Grad Needs
a Plan...
they're not lazy, they're stuck.
As a hiring pro + mom of two college kids, I help new grads get noticed, land interviews, and stop relying on online applications alone.
“Great kids get overlooked every day, not because they aren’t qualified, but because they’re invisible.”
I CAN HELP
DEBRA SHAW
As a business owner + mom of two college students, I’ve spent years on the hiring side reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates across multiple industries, so I can tell you exactly why great kids get overlooked.
After watching my own kids and their friends struggle to land interviews, I realized today’s grads are entering a job market they were never taught to navigate. Most schools teach theory, but almost none teach the real-world strategy it takes to get noticed, get referred, and get hired.
That’s why I created GradsHired. I combine real hiring experience with step-by-step, practical guidance that makes the job search less overwhelming for students and far more effective.
“Just wanted to say thank you & share some good news - I recently accepted a new role! Your resume feedback, template, tips & tactical advice were incredibly helpful. Once I put them into action it made all the difference!”
-Winnie, UCLA MBA Grad
I never thought I needed help with my job search until I saw how competitive the market is and how much a strong resume and LinkedIn presence matter. If I had known I’d get this outcome, I would have hired Debra so much sooner. The follow-up strategy alone was a game-changer. I had no idea how to follow up without sounding annoying, and her guidance made all the difference. I just landed a job and I’m so excited!
couldn't have done it without her!"
"I learned everything about the job hunt from Debra &
Alexis
CSU, San Marcos
With her guidance, my daughter was able to completely revamp her resume in a way that made her truly stand out. Learning how to find the right people to reach out to and how to follow up really made things start to happen. She just landed her dream job 3 months before graduating!
My husband and I are thrilled!"
"I cannot say enough about Debra's method...
Alisa
Parent
She made it so easy to work with her and did a fantastic job putting my full resume together. The changes she made to my resume are a night and day difference.
in the world!"
"Having Debra help me, made all the difference,
DAVID
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
She was so frustrated not getting any interviews. Working with Debra, gave her the confidence and tools she needed to succeed! She landed a job almost immediately.
It's so different now!"
"I had no idea how to help my daughter job hunt after college.
Marilou
Parent
SO GRATEFUL to find Debra and highly recommend to anyone ready to take the next step in their life! I was never taught how to create a relevant resume and found myself completely lost in the job hunt process! After working with her, I have a resume I am truly proud of and now I know how to update it as needed.
Debra has helped me in so many ways!"
"I have more confidence and success entering the workforce.
LILLIAN
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Before she revamped my resume, I struggled to secure interviews and felt completely lost in the job search process. Debra's expertise helped me highlight my strengths and experiences effectively which ultimately led to landing an amazing internship and secured me a job after graduation!
I can't thank her enough for her guidance & expertise!"
"Debra was truly a game changer for me!
Ava
Baylor University
My son was struggling to highlight his skills and stand out. After working with Debra, he landed an internship within 3 weeks and now feels so much more confident.
The process was stress free."
"So happy we found Debra!
tracie
Parent
She takes the time to gather all the information in order to create a resume that is tailored specifically to your needs. Her collaborative approach ensures the final product not only represents you accurately but fits your goals perfectly. With her expertise, my resume has been transformed into a professional polished document that truly reflects my strengths. I highly recommend her service.
She's really invested in helping each student"
"Debra provided exceptional support from the very start.
liberty
chapman university
I had a wonderful experience with Debra and highly recommend her to any student or young adult looking to get noticed by employers. As a student at the University of Tennessee, I was struggling perfecting my resume and cover letter but Debra made such an impact. She took the time to understand my experience and helped me highlight my strengths in the best way possible. I feel so much more confident in my job search now.
& finally landed interviews!"
"Thanks to her expert guidance, I received multiple job responses,
lance
university of tennessee
FAQs
Do you work with all majors?
Yes. The job search strategy is the same across majors, because hiring expectations, networking, and follow-up matter more than the degree itself.
My grad has no experience. Can you still help?
Absolutely. Most grads aren’t getting overlooked because they lack experience. They’re getting overlooked because they don’t know how to position what they do have. That’s fixable.
What if my grad doesn’t know what they want to do?
That’s extremely common. We don’t start with “what’s your passion?” We start with a practical role-targeting process so your grad can choose realistic entry-level roles and build momentum.
Do you guarantee my grad will get hired?
No. Hiring depends on timing, market conditions, and follow-through. What I do provide is a proven strategy, structure, and support to increase interview opportunities and help your grad get noticed.
Can parents book the Grad Launch Call without their student?
Yes. Many parents start with a parent-only call to get clarity, understand what’s happening, and walk away with a plan before bringing their student into the process.
Does my student need LinkedIn to find a job?
They don’t need to “post content,” but they do need a strong LinkedIn presence and a simple outreach strategy. LinkedIn is one of the most effective tools for getting noticed by real humans.
How is this different from applying on LinkedIn or Indeed?
Applying online is only one piece. Most grads aren’t failing because they aren’t applying enough, they’re failing because they’re invisible. My approach focuses on getting them in front of real people through positioning, outreach, and follow-through.
How quickly can we get started?
Most families can get started within 48 hours depending on availability. If you’re on a deadline (graduation, moving, internship ending), I can often prioritize accordingly.
Is this for grads only, or can seniors use it too?
Both. Seniors who start early often land jobs faster because they build relationships and interview momentum before graduation.
What’s the best place to start?
Most families start with the Grad Launch Call (Parent Strategy). It gives you clarity, direction, and a step-by-step plan based on your grad’s unique situation.
What if my grad is anxious, overwhelmed, or avoiding the job search?
That’s very common. My approach is structured and supportive. We focus on simple steps that create momentum without overwhelm.
@gradshired
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