Chair of the Advisory Board
They/Them
In today's market, landing a fantastic job is no laughing matter. With 20 years of experience as a career coach and job-searching expert, our founder, Donna Shannon, knows that truth like no other. In fact, Donna draws on their Human Resources and Recruiting background to develop job-search strategies grounded in real-world hiring practices. Their driving vision is to provide the best possible guidance to job seekers to help them realize their dreams.
Holding a unique career path, Donna believes in following their passions. Their professional experience spans multiple industries, including broadcasting, renewable energy, healthcare, and even an occupational school for private estate management.
As Chair of the Advisory Board, Donna oversees the strategy and operational direction for PTCS, including serving as the final authority for our certification programs.
While Donna is not accepting new coaching or writing clients at this time, they are available for speaking engagements.
Donna Shannon
My Motto
Finding a fantastic job is no laughing matter.
Publications and Online Courses
Down & Dirty Job Search
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E-book, online course, and group coaching options available.
Ace the Interview Without Going Crazy
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Online course on Udemy
Get a Job Without Going Crazy (3rd Ed.)
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Paperback and e-book
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Available on Amazon
“Both the classes and the coaching have surpassed my expectations. After two of the classes, my resume is making it through more computer searches. The interview coaching session was very difficult but incredibly helpful. In addition to developing appropriate "scripts" to interview questions, Donna pushed me to become aware of personal tendencies - facial expressions, voice tones, and phrases - that obscure my competence and hurt me in interviews. Leaving the session, I knew I had so much work to do, but that she had given me the tools I needed, and I am confident that once I've done the work and implemented the feedback, I will have better success with in-person interviews”
- Dharol S.
Why you should choose Donna
If you are looking for an engaging speaker who handles serious topics with a blend of humor, Donna is your clear choice. Since 2012, Donna Shannon has appeared at national conferences, symposiums, and workshops, bringing clarity to the complex world of landing a job you love.
As the founder and driving force behind PTCS, Donna oversees all our certification programs, passing on their 20 years of knowledge and practical advice to the next generation of resume writers and career coaches.
"Donna and her team of writers helped me quickly understand how to best navigate the world of job seekers and recruiters. They helped me figure out what really matters and the pitfalls to avoid. I highly recommend their courses and one-on-one coaching."
- Raphael J.
- Software Engineering Director
Industry Expertise
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Private Service & Luxury Lifestyle Management
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Entertainment & Creative Industries
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Entrepreneurs & Non-Traditional Career Paths
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Executives in Diverse Industries
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Career Transitions
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Healthcare, Biotech, and Pharmaceuticals
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High Tech, Science, and Engineering
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Human Resources & Recruiting
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Career Coaching & Career Development
"Donna Shannon was a game-changer in my career. Thanks to her expert coaching, I'm still thriving in estate management, well-networked, and equipped with a standout resume and LinkedIn profile. Her guidance gave me the interviewing skills and confidence to land roles that are truly aligned with my experience and values. I'm so grateful for her support and highly recommend her to anyone navigating their career path."
- James P.
- Bilingual Estate Manager
Services Offered
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In-Person Speaking Engagements
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Virtual Presentations and Webinars
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On-Demand Courses
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Podcast Guest
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Career Coaching
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Salary Negotiations
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Stand-Up Comedy
"What really sets Donna apart is her ability to describe complex concepts, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and what it takes to make resumes the most effective for current job markets and hiring managers. Her clear and engaging speaking style (and a bit of humor) made the workshop informative
and enjoyable. I really feel our attendees were empowered and more ready to deal with the competitive job market. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a seasoned career coach and presenter who can make their job search enlightening and enjoyable."
- Marina Gracen-Farrell
- Reinvention Coach, Age Diversity Champion
Certifications and Credentials
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Recipient, Career Innovator Award, 2024
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Master Career Director (MCD)
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PTCS Certified Career Coach
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PTCS Certified Private Service Resume Writer
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Volunteer of the Year, Mile High SHRM, 2025
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Domestic Estate Manager Association (DEMA) Educator of the Year, 2014
"Donna's Down and Dirty Job Search taught me a lot of actionable things about the whole process and helped me have a better handle on the big picture as well as finer details. I enjoyed working with a cohort, as well as having one-on-one time to practice for interviews. I definitely had a good experience and left with markedly more confidence in my ability to navigate the often-complicated world of the job search."
- S. Houston
- Product Manager
Donna's innovative“Down and Dirty Job Search” program earned a 2024 Career Directors International Career Innovator Award. Reserved for the top five programs internationally, the Award Committee carefully considers innovation, practical application, and value to job seekers when making its selections.
Fun Fact
On the side, Donna tells very crude jokes as a stand-up comedian.
An active comic since 2018, Donna Shannon appears in and produces showcases throughout Colorado through Coyote Visions Productions.
Their comedy career has taken them to such glorious locations as Sacramento, CA, Pueblo, CO, Fort Collins, and, of course, the infamous Comedy Works in Denver. In 2025, they were selected as one of the Top 101 Comics for the national World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas.
Their podcast, Donna Shannon’s Coyote Tales, highlights their personal stories and observations on the ridiculousness of life. In 2024, Coyote Tales was honored as a Top 10 Podcast for Moms - only the gods know why.
Find all their links at linktr.ee/donnashannon
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science
Regis University, Denver, CO
Entrepreneurship
Associate of Applied Science
Art Institute of Colorado, Denver, CO
Music Business Management, Audio Engineering, and Video Production
Associations
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) – Mile High Chapter
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Mentor Manager, 2024 - 2025
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Emerging Leaders Committee Member, 2018 - 2025
Colorado Career Developers Association (CCDA)
Career Directors International (CDI)
Private Service Alliance (PSA)
Estate Management Network (EMN)
Past Associations
National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA), 2023 - 2025
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Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE)
Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA, organization closed), 2012 - 2019