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Case Studies

Human stories behind every success

These clients gave us their ambitions, worries, and half-finished drafts. We listened, asked questions, and wrote with them—not for them—so the final documents sounded like the people behind the applications.

Heartfelt, evidence-based writing

We connect the facts of your work to the people it serves. Every bullet is grounded in impact, every paragraph feels like you, and every section is easy for panels to scan.

Real clients, real outcomes
Client stories

Full case studies

Read the human context, the challenges, and the outcomes for each client.

Government | CV + selection criteria

Policy Officer, Federal Department

After a restructure, they felt invisible in a sea of APS6 applicants. Their existing CV listed tasks but hid the real wins behind acronyms and internal shorthand.

What they needed: The role required demonstrating measurable influence on legislation and stakeholder alignment while addressing strict selection criteria language.

How we approached it: We unpacked each brief they had championed, pairing it with who it helped, why it mattered, and the data behind it. We aligned every bullet to APS capability words without losing their voice.

Outcome: They went from no callbacks to two panel interviews in three weeks, with feedback that the CV made it easy to visualise their impact on policy delivery.

"You turned dense policy language into stories that sounded like me, not like a template."
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Education | CV + cover letter

Secondary Teacher transitioning to leadership

They had led projects in pockets—new electives, peer coaching, assessment redesign—but their CV read like a timetable.

What they needed: The school was seeking a leader who could coach staff and lift results without losing student wellbeing.

How we approached it: We mapped each initiative to outcomes: uptake rates, improved moderation consistency, and student growth data. We added a cover letter story about rebuilding confidence in a struggling class.

Outcome: They were shortlisted and interviewed for Head of Faculty, with panel notes praising the clarity of their leadership examples.

"You helped me see that my small wins were actually proof I could lead."
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Healthcare | CV + LinkedIn

Registered Nurse, public hospital

Balancing rotating shifts and study left little time to capture how they stabilised complex patients or supported new grads.

What they needed: Selection panels wanted evidence of clinical judgement and team leadership under pressure, not just credentials.

How we approached it: We gathered stories from high-acuity shifts, highlighting escalation decisions, family communication, and mentoring. LinkedIn was refreshed with warm, plain-language summaries.

Outcome: They accepted a permanent ward position and were asked to mentor incoming graduates because their leadership came through clearly.

"Reading my CV back felt like hearing a colleague describe how I work on the floor."
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Government | CV + selection criteria

Local Government Project Officer

They were delivering outcomes quietly—coordinating contractors, smoothing community feedback—but their application sounded administrative, not strategic.

What they needed: The promotion required showcasing governance rigor and the ability to bring councillors, contractors, and residents together.

How we approached it: We translated their spreadsheets into impact: risk closure rates, engagement attendance, and on-time project delivery. Selection criteria responses included stories of calming tense site meetings.

Outcome: They were shortlisted for the higher band, with the panel noting the balance of metrics and people-centered examples.

"You captured how I keep projects human, even when the paperwork piles up."
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Admin | CV + cover letter

University Administration Coordinator

They supported countless moving parts but struggled to show how their behind-the-scenes fixes made life easier for students and staff.

What they needed: The target role needed proof of systems thinking and warmth in student-facing interactions.

How we approached it: We detailed process changes that reduced wait times, added testimonials from academic staff, and framed each improvement around student experience.

Outcome: They stepped into a student services lead role, credited for pairing operational clarity with empathy.

"You found the heart in my admin work and made it the headline."
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Government | CV + key achievements addendum

Executive Assistant (APS)

They juggled ministers, media requests, and travel with grace, but their CV listed tasks without showing the stakes or the calm they brought.

What they needed: The EL1 contract required evidence of judgement, confidentiality, and the ability to pre-empt issues before they reached the executive.

How we approached it: We turned diary clashes into stories of proactive resolutions, noted briefing accuracy rates, and added a one-page achievements addendum for rapid scanning.

Outcome: They secured the contract and received feedback that the application felt like reading a day in their life—steady, thoughtful, and trusted.

"It finally sounds like the job I actually do, not just the meetings I book."
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Government-funded NFP | CV + interview prep

Community Services Case Manager

Their compassion was clear in conversation but hidden on paper. Applications listed caseloads without showing the care behind each decision.

What they needed: Hiring managers wanted proof of safe practice, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable workloads.

How we approached it: We added stories of rebuilding trust after critical incidents, highlighted reduced re-engagement rates, and rehearsed interview answers that honoured clients without breaching privacy.

Outcome: They received two offers and chose an organisation that valued their trauma-informed approach.

"You protected my clients' dignity while showing the depth of my work."
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Government | CV + LinkedIn + cover letter

Communications Advisor, State agency

They had a portfolio of campaigns but wanted the humanity behind the work—the late-night calls, community trust-building—to shine through.

What they needed: The senior role required strategic messaging under pressure and empathy for affected communities.

How we approached it: We paired campaign metrics with human outcomes, like calmer hotline volumes and transparent updates during outages. LinkedIn featured plain-language case notes and a values-led headline.

Outcome: They reached the final interview round, with panel feedback that their materials balanced credibility with care.

"It reads like someone who sees the people behind every media brief."
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