Real Insight and Coaching
From Someone Who Has Served.
Career Coaching Services
Every engagement is tailored. Every strategy is built on real federal hiring knowledge.
Strategic Career Coaching via Email
You'd rather think and write than book a call. Two weeks of asynchronous coaching — focused exchanges on your timeline.
Career Coaching Session
You're stuck. You've been applying for weeks and nothing's working. One hour. We figure out why — and what to do about it.
Career Strategy Package
You need more than advice — you need a strategy and the materials to execute it. Three sessions, scoped to your track — entering federal service, advancing in federal service, or transitioning into private sector or civilian work. You bring your experience. I bring 16 years of combined federal and military service across five agencies.
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After Session 1: You have a clear strategy and a resume foundationWe start with where you are and where you want to go. I help you identify the right targets — agencies and series, or companies and roles — position your experience for that audience, and build the structure of a resume (federal or private-sector) that actually reflects your value. No templates. Personalized strategy from the start.
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After Session 2: Your resume and application materials tell a compelling storyWe refine your resume together — I give you direct feedback on what's working, what's not, and where your story needs to be sharper. Then we build the supporting materials: a cover letter, federal supplementals if you need them, and the language hiring panels and managers actually respond to.
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After Session 3: You're interview-ready and have a launch planI walk you through interview prep — federal scoring panels or private-sector behavioral interviews — work through your stories using STAR, and help you anticipate the questions you'll actually face. You leave with a clear plan for how to launch your search and the confidence to execute it.
What Clients Are Saying
Real people. Real career outcomes.
I had James build out my Federal USAJOBS resume right after I retired from the Navy. He didn't just rewrite it—he translated my entire career into what federal HR is actually looking for. That's the difference. As soon as I started submitting with that resume, I went from nothing to getting real responses and actual hiring offers. I also grabbed a couple of his digital products—specifically the job tracker. It works, plain and simple. You just have to actually use it—log your applications, keep it updated, and it becomes a solid tool to stay organized and track movement. If you're trying to break into the federal system and keep hitting a wall, this is worth it.
Career Tools You Can Use Today
- Certified Career Coach — Transformation Academy
- Master of Public Administration — BGSU
- B.A. Political Science — BGSU
- U.S. Navy Veteran — Honorably Discharged
- 16 Years Combined Federal Service
- Galloway, Ohio
James C. McConnell
MPA, Certified Career Coach | Founder, McConnell Strategies LLC
In 2009, James left the U.S. Navy after 4 years of service. He had a plan: business degree, supply chain career, use his logistics background. Then he got to campus and realized it wasn't the right path. He pivoted completely — changed his major, rebuilt his strategy, and spent the next 12 years in federal civilian service.
James worked across multiple federal agencies — USDA, SSA, EPA, USCIS, and NARA — conducting 850+ interviews for public benefits at Social Security, evaluating federal programs at EPA's Office of Inspector General, and adjudicating over 1,000 benefit applications at USCIS.
He learned how to navigate federal hiring and break into government service — not from a textbook, but by doing it himself. Multiple times. Across multiple agencies.
He founded McConnell Strategies to help others enter federal service, navigate the hiring process and build careers in public service.
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USDA · FNSFederal Program Compliance & Integrity
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SSAFederal Benefits & Public Advisory
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EPA · OIGProgram Evaluation & Compliance
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USCISFederal Regulatory Adjudication
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NARAFederal Records & Archives
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U.S. NavyVeteran — Honorably Discharged
Let's Build Your Career Strategy
Ready to move forward? Select a service above and get started immediately — or reach out directly with questions. Every engagement begins with payment and a comprehensive intake form so James has everything needed to deliver exceptional work.
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EmailResponse within 2 business days
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PhoneVoicemail available 24/7
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LocationGalloway, OhioServing clients virtually nationwide