Donte Parks and his two dogs, Jefferson and Franklin, sitting on a gray couch.

About

There are no tricks and no gimmicks, just honest and straightforward career support tailored to help you confidently and authentically present your best self.

Why Getting the Nod?

I started Getting the Nod for a few reasons:

  • Professional growth & development is often seen as a slog, not an opportunity.

  • It’s frustrating to see people dismiss their own experiences and strengths.

  • There’s too much advice out there for job seekers and much of it is bad.

  • Job searches are often psychologically harmful.

  • Too many industries remain too white, too male, and too exclusionary.

  • I want to support people in their careers like I’ve been in my own.

  • Donte Parks, founder of Getting the Nod

    Donte Parks

    FOUNDER

    My tech career started at Microsoft after a non-traditional route through their recruiting gauntlet. While there I did outreach and university recruiting (along with my actual job in IT Operations). From there I’ve spent the bulk of my career as part of the founding team at Substantial, a digital development, design, and research studio, starting on client/project management before shifting focus internally to culture and People, where recruiting & hiring were among the core my responsibilities.

    Outside of the office I've spoken at conferences about company culture and diversity in tech and to various student groups about starting their tech careers. I have served on a number of boards, including Unloop, focused on helping formerly incarcerated people find careers in tech, Src Material, bridging the arts and emerging tech worlds, and the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.

    I've also at various points been a music writer, DJ, and toy enthusiast. I love my two dogs and West Side Story (the original, obviously).

    I’d love to help you get where you want to go in your career.

    LinkedIn

  • Jefferson, a white terrier mix, and Franklin, a Shih Tzu/chihuahua mix, both seated on a gray couch.

    Jefferson Oliver Thomas & Franklin Hollywood Armstrong

    SUPPORT

    Jefferson & Franklin are an integral part of your Getting the Nod support team and may show up in sessions alone or together. Jefferson is an 10-year-old terrier mix while Franklin is a 4-year-old Shih Tzu/chihuahua mix, both rescues.

    Professionally, they’ve provided support in tech, nonprofit, and psychotherapy settings. When not working they enjoy treats, walks on the beach, barking at delivery people, and naps in front of fireplaces.

Coaching Principles

Honesty

I want to be as plainspoken as I can. The world isn’t fair, not every application is going to work out, and disappointment is par for the course. That said, it’s about making the “right” next step (or making the most of the step you’ve made). This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Compassion

I want to temper my honesty with full understanding that all of this can be demoralizing. I’m your cheerleader and I’m here to help you get where you want to go. I want to see you at your best and help to see it as well.

Community

Job searches can be isolating and miserable so I want to be and create resources that give people space(s) to process those feelings, commiserate, move beyond them, and be that resource for someone else.

Service

Being able to help someone in their life/career is a gift, one I take seriously. I want my clients to be inspired to help someone else when they’re in a position to do so as well. We’re all in this together.

  • "I was in the middle of a long interview process and Donte helped me reframe my previous experiences to tell a more cohesive story rather than just recounting position by position on my resume. I went into my final interview feeling more confident in my experiences, with a plan to show my interviewers how my experience was really catered to the position. In the week between the two [workshop] sessions, I was offered (and accepted!) the position! "

    T.H., Senior SEO Strategist

  • "Donte’s coaching methods are about meeting you where you are. His workshops create an environment of trust, facilitating productive open conversations about job-searching challenges. Everyone's going to go away with an improved perspective and insights. "

    A.E., Marketing Project Manager

  • “My trouble with interviewing comes down to a battle with imposter syndrome. The reminders that I am actually competent, talking through good stories, and frankly, pep-talks, helped a lot.”

    N.L., Technical Program Manager

  • "I came into this workshop not knowing what to expect and came out feeling more confident and hopeful in my career search and career path. I learned a lot about myself, my needs, and my gaps, and it was all done in a space that was safe and caring."

    A.Z., Product Manager

  • “My conversations with Donte shifted the entire framework with which I was considering jobs and my career. This made it clear what choices I needed to make and how to prioritize myself as well as my long term career goals.”

    A.O., Program Coordinator

  • "Donte had easy, actionable answers for what prior to the workshop felt like considerable hurdles in resume building and framing my personal work narrative."

    M.T., Freelancer

  • "This workshop was a great kick-start to my job search. I feel more equipped to represent myself and my experience in interviews, and I got a few great new contacts as well!"

    S.H., Associate Strategy Officer