Client Raves
Coaching Testimonials
"Meeting her in person for the first time I immediately knew that Kim is very good at what she does. I know this to be true because even though it was only a little over an hour that I spent with her on that day I left her totally inspired. Thank you Kim for re-igniting my flame."
~~ Michael Fox, Owner Foxy Marketing and Foxy Logistics Solutions
"Talking with Kim was a really valuable experience! She helped me to improve my resume and provided great insight and invaluable advice on how to change my career path. Thanks Kim for all your help!"
~~Mark Stubbs, Senior IT Auditor, Sydney, Australia
“Kim was able to find the words I could not find as a dedicated numbers person for my resume. As a career consultant she understands the needs of the candidate and is always willing to help. I would highly recommend Kim if you are having problems with resume and need a supportive career coach.”
~~Colleen Chan, Business Analyst, Sydney Australia
"Kim's professional experience is vast but she is still able to see the world of career through a fresh perspective. I found her guidance invaluable at a turning point in my career. I always felt confident in her abilities and that evaluating my career path with her guidance was going to lead to a richer and more fulfilling life. Kim possesses a wealth of tools and knowledge in order to help you, but her real talent lies in looking at life balance in a holistic way and asking "What do you want?". After answering that its just a question of approach!"
~~Andrew McAvinchey, Film Director / Producer, Dublin Ireland
"I was fortunate to receive a consultation with Kim Smith to get clarity on my future employment and life direction. Kim is so confident, funny and warm that she easily drew my real intentions for wanting a change out of me. She took me through a series of exercises to allow me to figure out what I really wanted as my outcomes in life (including work, family, romance, finances, creativity, health, spirituality). Through that, I was able to propose some options of how I could achieve my goals and then brainstorm these options. Kim also gave me tools to manage my brain and get to the heart of how I want to live. It is difficult in life to cut through all the stuff that is not really that important. Kim helped me see what it is that is truly important to me and how to focus on that and let everything else that wastes energy and time fall away. I use these tools in my everyday life and they have helped me tremendously. Kim's warm, energetic and creative spirit created a sense of immediate trust and "fun". Thanks so much, Kim, for this gift that I will use forever!"
~~Jessica Walden, Technical Specialist, Quality Assurance International,
San Diego , California
"Kim really took the time to give me constructive and helpful advice about my resume. The advice that Kim provided has been invaluable to my job search and has enabled me to better articulate my achievements and experiences in interviews. I would recommend Kim to all candidates."
~~Matthew Clarke, Sydney, Australia
"I would encourage candidates and employers to consult with Kim on your next important career or recruitment decision."
~~Craig Richardson, Chief Financial Officer, Coca Cola Amatil, Auckland, New Zealand
"I recently had a career planning session with Kim Smith. She was able to help me gain insights into what my strengths are and how to combine those strengths with my passions to create a career opportunity that is incredibly exciting! I'm just getting started on my new career search, but I feel that I have the tools to put together a great resume, cover letter, and ideas on where to look for that perfect position. Kim helped to get organized so that I have a 5-year plan and I know what each step looks like, and what is needed to accomplish my goals at each step. Thanks Kim!"
~~Jen Brown, future yoga retreat owner, Laguna Beach, CA
"Kim was a joy to work with - a consummate professional, dedicated, energetic, and with a strong work ethic. She is a great communicator and really connects with candidates. She is an incredible asset to an organization."
~~Anna Langston, Consultant, The Remmick Group, Chicago, IL
Speaker Testimonials
“The presentation was a great success. Evaluation results rated well above average with very positive comments including; ‘very helpful and great tips to follow, presenter was excellent and very motivational, one of the best and most useful seminars I have been to, passionate speaker and great experience, I'm walking away a lot happier than I walked in.’”
~~Gabriela Di Francesco, Event Coordinator CPA Australia
“Kim was a refreshingly insightful and pragmatic expert presenter. She shared real life examples and provided practical and realistic suggestions on how to manage and progress your career successfully. I walked away with three actions I could implement immediately. It was obvious Kim has a wealth of experience, this coupled with her own perspective and energy for motivating people to be there best, makes her of great value to any conference program.”
~~Kathryn Sydney-Smith, Community Relations Manager, WA Operations,
Alcoa Australia
"Kim was a special guest presenter at one of our monthly Professional Development Forums where she shared valuable insights into how to manage one's own career in this period of economic turmoil. Her advice was relevant to today's workplace. She gave practical ideas that could be put to use straight away. She was very passionate and her ideas inspired particularly the Gen Y'ers in the group. Kim's presentation resulted in record attendance with a lot positive feedback afterwards. I would highly recommend Kim for any young professionals seeking to succeed in their careers.”
~~Jeffery Wu, Senior Accounts Executive, Telstra and Director, Sydney Professional Development Forum
"Kim's presentations were very well received by our very critical audiences, and we were often asked for her details for personal follow-ups. Kim gave excellent and detailed sessions, with useful and relevant material that attendees could take away and implement immediately, and assist their own careers in a very real way. Her knowledge and experience in the recruitment space cannot be over-stated, and we would not hesitate to recommend her."
~~Dominic Duncan, Sales Director, Conferenz Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
"I have known Kim for three years and worked closely with her at joint industry speaking engagements. I would highly recommend Kim as a well informed public speaker on human resources, recruitment and relevant market trends."
~~Craig Richardson, Chief Financial Officer, Coca Cola Amatil, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kim has worked with us on some very high level conferences in New Zealand, and was an absolute pleasure to work with in all aspects. Her firm at the time was a leading sponsor of our events, and Kim drove this relationship very successfully. She was engaged as a speaker at our premier event in the finance/accounting space, and we acknowledge the energy and content she bought to the sessions. Her presentations were very well received by our very critical audiences, and we were often asked for her details for personal follow-ups. Kim gave excellent and detailed sessions, with useful and relevant material that attendees could take away and implement immediately, and assist their own careers in a very real way. Her knowledge and experience in the recruitment space cannot be over-stated, and we would not hesitate to recommend her."
~~Dominic Duncan, Sales Director, Conferenz Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kim is a highly motivational speaker, professional in her appearance and trustworthy. Kim will add a positive dimension to your next seminar or conference. Contact me if you would like to discuss further . Country access for New Zealand, then 64-27-472-8610."
~~Denis Orme, Founder, Project Recoveries Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
Recruitment Consultant Testimonials
"Kim is one of the finest recruiting professionals I have ever seen. She has a rare blend of commitment, skill, passion, and knowledge. She has a great knack of understanding the business need for a particular resource requirement and is able to align these with the expectations of the candidates. Highly action oriented and rallies her team towards achieving the objective. Kim is one of the few recruiters who ensure that job requirement and skills are matched. Kim ensures that right candidates are interviewed by the prospective employers. Always ready to take new challenges, Kim works equally well with local experienced candidates as well as new immigrants."
~~Chandan Ohri, Director, BDO Spicers, Auckland, New Zealand
"When I think of recruitment, I think of Kim Seeling Smith"
~~Mathew Croad, Group Financial Controller, Beca Carter, Auckland, New Zealand
"I have always used Kim advice and services in my various roles over the past 6 years. There are a number of reasons why I selected Kim as my preferred accounting and finance recruitment consultant. She provided candidates with the experience and qualifications we required. In addition, Kim's candidates fitted well into different firm cultures that I was recruiting for as she takes into account the dynamics of the team and business. The high standard of Kim's candidates has reduced the hassle of recruitment significantly. I have always found Kim's work to be of a high standard and her communication skills are exemplary. Overall Kim made my experience of the recruitment process to be both enjoyable and highly successful. I will continue to use her services in the future. Wayne Bowler BMS, CA Group Reporting Manager Stella Travel Limited."
~~Wayne Bowler, Financial Controller, Cadmus Technologies, Auckland, New Zealand
"I have worked with Kim on numerous occasions in order to recruit the right individuals for our finance team. What made Kim stand out above all others was that she actually listened and responded quickly to what the requirements were and understood the environment that we worked in. There was no beating around the bush with her…..this was an attractive quality about her that I and my company desired."
~~Eve Langford-Smith, Financial Controller, Life Technologies, Auckland, New Zealand
"I worked with Kim both in terms of recruitment needs for my Finance team and for my personal career development. Kim is the utmost professional. She is fantastic for staying in touch and ensuring the recruitment process runs smoothly. I never had the issue of inappropriate candidates being put forward for any of my roles, as she took her time to make sure she understood the company, the job spec and the required 'fit'. On a personal level, I used Kim as a sounding board on a number of occasions when considering new positions or career paths. Kim always showed complete integrity, never attempting to push a particular option in order to get a 'sell'. Highly Recommended - and missed in NZ!"
~~Kate Parsons, Financial Controller, TPF Corporation, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kim as a senior recruiter for Campbell Arnott's has shown a detailed understanding of our business from both a technical and cultural perspective. This holistic understanding has allowed Kim to provide a short list of suitable candidates who have a strong match to our organisation."
~~Stewart Kearney, Financial Controller, Campbell Arnott's, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kim really listens to the clients and candidates requirements, and ensures candidates put forward can not only add massive value, but also the candidate knows the placement will be a great match for his own values, ethos and attitude. I have no hesitation in using Kim again not only for potential placement for me, but also to recruit great staff for my team."
~~Jo Muir (nee Kefford), Finance Manager, APN, Auckland, New Zealand
"It was great speaking with you yesterday and thank you again for your understanding of my situation. I wanted to let you know how nice it has been to work with you and Aequalis these last few weeks. Having worked with other recruitment companies in Sydney in the past, I can easily say my experience with Aequalis has been far superior. Every communication has been professional, courteous, and timely, and I really enjoyed the initial interview with you where meaningful and important topics were discussed. I especially appreciate your clear desire to understand my qualifications as a candidate and my future career goals. With you, I truly feel you have both the employer's and my best interests at heart which I would assume would result in the best possible match."
"If you or Aequalis ever branch out into other areas, please let me know as I have told friends (who are not in Finance) about my experience with you and they have asked me for contact details! Thank you again for your assistance and support."
~~Erica Lekawski, Vodafone, Senior Financial Analyst, Sydney Australia
"Kim placed me in my current role and I have since used her to fill a finance role. Kim is a clear leader in her field, she takes the time to understand the clients business and also the candidate - this is a win win for both parties. I highly recommend Kim."
~~Sean Ryan, Financial Controller, Navman Technologies, Auckland, New Zealand
"Kim is one of those unusual recruiters who understands the teams that clients are really trying to build within their organisation and does her absolute best to find candidates that will make those teams even stronger."
~~Mark Benjamin, CFO, Excell Corporation, Auckland, New Zealand
"Thank you very much! Fanatastic executive summary, is exactly what I needed. The rest of the resume is also all the words I could not find as a dedicated numbers person."
~~Colleen Chan, Sydney Australia
"I worked with Kim over a four year period from 2003 to 2007. In this period Kim placed more than 20 staff into the Financial Services team that that I managed. I was so impressed with Kim's service and passion to truly match a suitable candidate to the available the role that within 12 months we entered into an exclusivity agreement which proved beneficial for us both. I have found Kim to be highly reliable, trust-worthy and honest and would happily recommend her."
~~Nick Padfield, Finance Manager, Turners and Growers, Auckland, New Zealand
Personal Testimonials
"Kim and I shared the office of VP Programs at the American Woman's Society of CPAs in 1992-1993 and ended up with the national award in best programs for that year. Kim was and continues to be energizing to work with. She is bright, ambitious, competent, creative, flexible, and has great people skills. She was a natural at Robert Half and was able to build a substantial business for them pretty much from scratch. Having known Kim for roughly 15 years now, I am confident that she will be successful in anything she takes on, and I recommend her without reservation."
~~Sandi Smith, President, BrainWays Training & Development, San Jose, CA
"I have known Kim for over 20 years. She is professional and proficient and has always excelled in the endeavors she has chosen to pursue. She is loyal, personable and respectful and always delivers above and beyond what is required of her. She is poised and confident, in control of any obstacles or challenges and can quickly, concisely and independently solve any issues that she may encounter. I highly recommend Kim to any business that is seeking a strong addition to their team."
~~Mary Johnson, Director of Concierge Dept. and Asst to GM,The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, TN