Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndsey Anderson.
Hi Lyndsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up a small-town Texas kid who did really well in school, but I did not have much guidance on what to do with it. In college, I studied advertising, but never did an internship. I did’t understand how important it was, and I lacked the confidence to believe that I could actually break into that world. I also needed to work to support myself while in school, so I chose jobs that paid the bills instead of roles that built a resume.
After graduation, I defaulted to what I knew. I went into the car business, which is the family trade, and I did very well, becoming one of the top female sales advisors in TX and the US. It was fast-paced and high-pressure, and it taught me how to read people, build trust quickly, and stay steady when emotions and money are on the table. I started at the bottom and earned everything myself, 100% commission is no joke. That experience gave me a deep respect for grit and coachability, because I’ve learned that those traits often matter more than a polished background.
Eventually I had to admit something that was hard to say out loud: I was succeeding in a career I did’t actually want. I was offered an opportunity that looked like the obvious next step in my career growth and earnings potential, but I knew it would come at the cost of being present for my family. So I made decision to pivot, even though it meant starting over and proving myself all over again.
Five years out of the car business is when recruiting found me, everything seemed to click right into place and my career accelerated faster than I could have imagined. I filled hundreds of roles and learned what most candidates never get visibility into: how decisions really get made, along with how much bias and inconsistency show up when a process is unstructured. For the first time, I found my voice. I became confident designing systems that reduced bias and helped teams scale, but also supported candidates and their journey in the hiring process.
As I grew into leadership, I became known for white-glove candidate experience. I gave feedback when most people avoided it. I refused to operate in the typical recruiting model that feels opaque, low-touch, and cold. I focused on clarity, transparency, and helping people understand what to improve, even when the answer was no.
Over time, I realized I wanted to keep building in the lane I’m best at and use my knowledge to help folks who genuinely want to improve, especially early-career candidates who are capable and eager, but simply don’t know the rules of the game in today’s competitive job market. Serendipitously, that is when I met Sam Stevens, the original founder of First Job Austin. We clicked immediately, and I partnered with her closely to build on what she created and expand the impact. Today, I am the President and Head Career Coach of First Job Austin, and my mission is simple: help people get seen for their ability, not their pedigree, and give them the roadmap I wish I had when I started out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not always been smooth!
Stepping into First Job Austin was exciting, but it came with real pressure. When you take on leadership in a mission-driven business, you don’t just inherit the brand, you inherit the responsibility. The first challenge was earning trust while also evolving the business. There is a balance between honoring what already works and making the changes required to grow, and you do not get unlimited time to figure it out.
Another struggle was building something scalable without losing what makes it personal. Early-career coaching works because it is high-touch, but a high-touch model can break quickly if there aren’t systems around it to support. I had to get disciplined about process, boundaries, and prioritization, because you cannot serve everyone, and trying to will burn you out and dilute results.
There is also the emotional weight of the work itself. Job seekers are often talented, but they are stressed, discouraged, and carrying a lot of self-doubt. You are not just helping them land a job, you are often helping them rebuild confidence. I often say that when a new coaching client comes to me, they are like a wilted flower, once vibrant but in need of water and sunshine. All of the knowledge I pour into them rebuilds their confidence and they start to perk up and eventually they land the job which is so meaningful, but it can be heavy if you do not manage it intentionally.
None of those struggles made me question the mission. They forced me to get clearer on what we do best, who we are best positioned to help, and what systems have to exist for the work to be sustainable long-term.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First Job Austin helps early-career job seekers create opportunity for themselves and get hired. We give students and recent grads the roadmap, messaging, and coaching to navigate a job search with confidence. Most job offers are not the result of one lucky break. They come from small wins that add up over time: the right outreach, the right conversation, the right story in the interview, and consistent follow-through. Built by a recruiter and designed for job seekers, our brand is direct, high-touch, and focused on outcomes.
What we offer:
Our services cover the full job search, but the goal is always the same: help you communicate your value clearly, get in front of the right people, and perform when it counts.
Resume creation: We turn your experience into a story that hiring teams can evaluate quickly, even if your background is not “traditional.”
Job search strategy and accountability: No spraying applications and hoping. We build a plan, set weekly execution goals, and create momentum.
Networking strategy: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” applies more today than ever, and most people do not have a real plan for building the right relationships. We do.
LinkedIn strategy: Clear, compelling messaging that earns attention and matches the story your resume is telling.
Value proposition creation: You learn how to articulate what you bring and why it matters in a way that is concise, confident, and memorable.
Interview prep: Mock interviews, examples of great interview answers, and coaching on the STAR method so you can tell structured stories under pressure.
Offer negotiation: We help you advocate for yourself so you are not leaving money, title, or scope on the table simply because you are uncomfortable negotiating.
What sets us apart:
We teach hiring from the inside. A good resume matters, but it is not enough. We focus on substance over polish and help candidates translate their experiences into job-relevant strengths that hiring teams can evaluate quickly. We also bring structure to a process that most people approach randomly, so clients are not just doing more, they are doing the right things in the right order.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise:
We have never done paid advertising. The business has grown through word-of-mouth referrals because the work holds up. People share us because it works, and that is the kind of reputation you cannot manufacture.
What I want readers to know:
If you are early in your career or just feeling stuck, it is usually not a talent issue. It is a strategy and visibility issue. Once you understand how hiring works and you learn how to communicate your value with clarity, the entire process gets easier to navigate and your results change fast. If a reader takes one thing from our brand, I want it to be this: you do not need to become a different person to get hired, but you do need a plan, strong messaging, and consistent execution. First Job Austin is here to help with exactly that.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people see me as a recruiter and coach and assume I took a straight path. I didn’t. I sold cars for eight years on 100% commission, and I didn’t figure out what “I wanted to be when I grew up” until 13 years after I graduated from college. I learned early how to handle rejection, keep momentum, and advocate for myself when I wasn’t the obvious choice on paper. That experience is a big reason my work is so practical. I teach people how to create opportunities and get taken seriously, even when they’re starting without much leverage.
Pricing:
- Resumes start at $300
- Coaching sessions start at $150/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.firstjobaustin.com
- Instagram: firstjobaustin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/first-job-austin-austin?osq=first+job+austin&override_cta=Ask+for+information
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndseya/
Image Credits
Robert Bernal
