Leonard LaBar

Experience

• 

  Various Companies

  Jun 1983 - Jan 2012

  • As Career Coach, performed career planning advice, interview preparation, portfolio reviews, Bio sheet preparation, salary negotiation, and tips from my "Job Search Quick Start" eBook.• Volunteer Resume Writer/Trainer. Trained job seekers at City Teams, PVBC, and CAM, and critiqued/edited 50+ résumés for many careers, resulting in jobs for them.• As Resume Writer, covered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and targeted end decision makers (hiring managers), resulting in résumés passing screening.• At PayPal, researched management code and interviewed source experts to write API Wiki documentation, resulting in easy migration to a new robust API, valued at millions.• At Plusmo, wrote guides for installation, tutorial, and methodology of AJAX cross-platform Widget APIs, resulting in an SDK support for 20K phones and a $5M+ AT&T acquisition.• At Venturi, managed website job postings; customers said my video software guides were far superior to competitors with clear procedures, resulting in award and aiding $1.5M funding round.• At Atheros, developed new writing standards and created Data Sheets, Software API Guides and Quick Reference Guides, resulting in big business wins and a $3.1B buyout.• At SanDisk, created 10K gate ASIC Data Books from scratch with register APIs using Word & FrameMaker using content management, for $2M project success."Len had come in as a writer for our bank processing platform. He came up to speed very fast, had done an excellent job in documenting our platform with extremely high-quality work. Highly recommend him!" –Utpal S., Group Product Manager"Len provided a great service to our college students & singles at our church. He gave a seminar & individualized help on writing their résumés & was an invaluable help to them. I appreciated his professional demeanor & patience with our job-seeking students & how up-to-date he stays on current trends & practices in the industry." –Michael D., Pastor Show less • Original song “Biosphere” won a national songwriting contest award with over 2,000 entrants.• Church Choir member, soloist, substitute worship leader, bass player, and Studiologic sl88 midi keyboard player, resulting in church and personal growth.• Played Yamaha PSR 740 keys and Ibanez Sounder Bass Guitar in Church Bands and taught Bass Guitar at Church Workshop, resulting in new church growth.• Took Worship Leading Workshops & Pro Songwriting Course with Pro Critiques and my song "My Life to You" was used as invitational in San Francisco, resulting in changed lives.• Performed as singer, bassist, or keyboardist with 7 SF bay area bands.• Pitched 4 songs to A&R reps who provided valued feedback. “Life in the Spirit” was recorded by a female singer and afterwards received favorable comments by an A&R rep.• Wrote, edited, and published “Time of Renewal CD;” involved writing, interacting with other artists and fans, recording, mixing, rewrites, doing cover artwork, and marketing.• Joined mission trips as bassist, singer, and Short-term Missionary while helping on musical and church teaching programs, resulting in church growth.• At Entrisphere, wrote design specs and guides for diagnostics, resulting in an 89% scrap reduction in internet edge hardware, for a savings value of $2M.• At Quickturn, created web-based training course, resulting in 48% faster field service, saved plane trips, and better sales support, valued at $3M. “I first knew Len when Entrisphere was quite small and he grew with the Company, going beyond his diagnostics role. Expanding his role, he documented many release notes while initiating user guide software design specifications written in Word and reviews for manufacturing user guides as well as training them which resulted in a huge scrap reduction in internet edge hardware and saved the Company a lot of money.” –Tiffany T., Corporate Controller, Entrisphere Show less • State Trained on Résumé Writing and Job Search Courses, and reviewed over 100 résumés, resulting in jobs.• Researched, Wrote, Edited and Published articles in periodicals and a bestseller book.• At Zitel, documented and coded a Disk Device Driver (Target mode), resulting in a successful working prototype and aiding in a $23M valuation.• At Unisys, designed and documented Device Driver for a computer disk Host Adapter (Initiator), resulting in a new product and strategic partner, valued at $2M.• At NCL, reviewed around 100 résumés, managed 5, and wrote all release documentation for a Common Access Mode Device Disk Driver, resulting in their first big order. • At Helios, as Director, supervised OEM disk drive recursive software updates and integration, resulting in a successful project, valued at $2M.• At SUN, promoted to Manager, reviewed 300 résumés, hired and managed a team of 14, and wrote proposals and user guides, for a 30% productivity increase, valued at $4M.• At Rolm, promoted to Lead and ported a mainframe Diagnostics System to the Rolm RISC Computer.• At Qume, promoted to Manager, wrote job ads and reviewed over 400 résumés to hire the best and received award for a fast, new project release with presentation and release documentation.• At Systel, worked as Software Project Engineer.“Len is the consummate business professional, diligent in his work and personable in his relationships. He can always be counted upon for thoughtful and timely written input, and turns vision into action. He is experienced, passionate, enthusiastic, and sharp in all business matters combined with a very motivational, engaging, and caring personal touch. He is a real pleasure to work with and a great team player.” –Ray P., Senior Sales VP“Len has provided other group members with insightful comments and ideas for their resumes. His writing style is clear and direct, but also capable of nuance. Len has good marketing skills.” –Bill D., Trainer, ProMatch Show less

  • Resume Writer/Career Coach & Senior Tech Writer

    May 2006 - Jan 2012

  • Writer/Sr Software Engineer & Award-Winning Songwriter

    Feb 1994 - May 2006

  • Best-Selling Published-Author & Sr Staff Software Engineer & Manager/Resume Reviewer

    Jun 1983 - Feb 1994
• 

  Home Office

  Jan 2012 - Dec 2016

  Professional Resume Writer/Career Coach & Author

  • Wrote 800+ résumés (all needed much cleanup) to standard length for all careers and experience levels, resulting in fast interviews, valued at $10K average in shortened job hunts per client.• Created 15 client résumés that encompassed major career changes, resulting in new careers with 10% higher salaries, valued at $10K annual average per client, resulting in happy clients.• Found and fixed major résumé issues for résumés written by other more expensive professional résumé writers, resulting in 10% higher salaries, valued at $10K annual average per client.• Covered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and targeted end decision makers (hiring managers), resulting in résumés passing HR screening.• Wrote eBooks: Job Search Quick Start, Résumé Examples, Cover Letter Examples, and the included package with Word templates and You Tube videos, resulted in clients getting jobs.• Coached and trained job seekers at City Teams, PVBC, and CAM (part-time), and critiqued/edited 50+ résumés for many careers, resulting in jobs and endorsements.• Wrote Len's Great Lifetime of Adventures memoirs."Len is a talented and caring expert on helping workers land new jobs. His outstanding skills as a professional writer allow him to help job seekers write their resumes and other critical communications to persuade hiring managers to choose them. He has an amazing track record and I am happy to recommend Len to anyone who is looking for work or seeking a better position." –Stephen M., CAM"I really enjoyed working with Len LaBar. He was always happy to be the go-to writer and team mate. He had great ideas for our work, as well as career tips and suggestions. I would recommend Len as a resume coach and writer!" –Valarie S., Contract Writer Show less

• 

  Home Recording Studio

  Jan 2017 - now

  Singer-Songwriter/Producer & Volunteer

  • Wrote & produced over 100 songs a year and created videos using iMovie, resulting in rave reviews & #1 on a streaming chart.• Solved a problem of the Hybrid 3 plugin not working on MacOS/Logic Pro, by using the Rosetta method, resulting in adding a vast array of new Synths for new CD project.• Proficient in low latency audio production & used Mastering tools in Logic Pro X, to reduce excess reverb, resulting in rescuing songs without using stems. • Collaborated with others & co-wrote other songs. Acted as A&R rep by listening & suggesting changes for other artists while improving skills.• Volunteered time to review resumes and made my Job Search Quick Start eBook available that resulted in job seekers getting jobs.• Volunteered time to coach and review LinkedIn profiles and portfolios, resulting in shorter success time for job seekers.• Trained & registered a service dog & volunteered time to the city + HOA, resulting in improving neighborhood."Len helped me revamp my resume a few years ago & since then I received lots of positive feedback on it. It is structured so that key aspects stand out, making it easy for recruiters & hiring managers to see. I referred many friends to Len & they all experienced positive results." –JH, Program Manager"When I worked with Len, he proved his great worth to me in life coaching & worked beyond my expectations in reaching my career objective. He wrote an excellent book called "Job Search Quick Start" which without it, I'd have been handicapped & not known. He's a great writer with exceptional ability to translate his own life into gripping words to help others. I am grateful for his accomplished writing, accountability to me, & his patience and leadership." –Philip F., Sr Project Manager Show less