Andrew came to Goodwill at a crossroads. After a long and successful career, a period of health and personal challenges left him without a job, and perhaps more devastatingly, without a sense of vocational purpose. He was also navigating the daily struggles of a functional neurological disorder, which caused anxiety and physical tremors.
He knew he needed help navigating a new chapter, but his confidence had been shaken. He was looking for a job, any job, and felt the weight of his past was a burden rather than a benefit. After applying for more than 150 positions with no luck, Andrew candidly admitted, “I need help.”
It was during this time that he met Hollie, a Goodwill career consultant. Their relationship began with an honest assessment of his skills and interests, but it quickly grew into something more. Hollie became a source of accountability and encouragement, helping Andrew see the value in his experience, even as he was applying for roles far different from his executive background.
Andrew recalls a moment when his anxiety was getting in the way. Hollie’s simple but powerful advice resonated deeply: “Andrew, you are not applying to run the company; you are applying for a job.” This conversation helped him let go of his past identity and embrace the humility required to start over.
Over the next several weeks, Andrew committed himself to the process. With Hollie’s guidance, he transformed his two-page executive resume into a concise, one-page document suitable for entry-level positions. He showed up to his weekly meetings with Hollie, which he credits with providing the discipline he needed to stay motivated. Even through moments of doubt and a dip in his confidence, Hollie offered consistent support. She helped him see that the skills he needed were already within him—he just needed to remember and practice them.
His breakthrough came when he saw a receptionist opening at a Christian counseling agency. He applied, and with Hollie’s help, he prepped for the interview. The interview went so well that the organization, impressed by his skills and experience, called him back to discuss an entirely new role: Operations & HR Consultant. This new opportunity was a perfect match, allowing him to use the strategic and leadership skills he had cultivated throughout his career.
Today, Andrew is applying his talents in a meaningful new role, and his sense of purpose has returned. He is grateful for Hollie, whom he calls a “thought partner and friend.”
As Hollie puts it, “As low as Andrew thought he was when he came in, he really wasn’t. He needed a little bit of encouragement. It was all him. He was doing it. I was just a sounding board.”
Andrew’s journey is a powerful testament that with determination, humility, and the right support, it’s never too late to start over.
