Land the Role
Land the Role is a 6-week program for women of color who know what role they are going after, and want to land it. This program helps you get considered, get the interview, and get paid what the job is actually worth.
Grab a ConsultationWith LaToya Sharmaine, Career Coach & Strategist · 100+ clients coached | 15+ years helping people make career decisions · HR & Talent Acquisition Background | Certified Coach | Certified Hogan Practitioner
You've already been doing the job. Let's get you the title (and the salary that goes with it).
Hey Sis! Let me take a guess or two at what you have been dealing with on the regular with your job.
YOU are the one they call when something needs fixing. YOU’VE trained most if not all the new hires, covered the gap when someone left, and taken on that “just this once” project that somehow became part of your permanent job.
I’m even willing to bet that your performance reviews sound something like, “You’re doing a great job. We’d be lost without you.” But when it’s time to put a rating behind that praise? Or $$$. Suddenly, “We don’t give out the highest rating.” And we don’t give raises based on performance.
Your colleagues go into panic mode when you’re out of the office. And when you return? The relief is written all over their faces. “We don’t know how to do this without you.”
And then one day, it happens. You see that the director role is posted for your organization. You talk to your boss, you apply, you are even interviewed for the role. And then the role goes to someone else. They didn’t think you were quite ready for the role yet. But somehow the person who showed up eight months ago (and that you trained) is perfectly well suited, or someone who knows someone who knows the VP referred somebody for the role. Or… here is a favorite; you did not quite “fit the profile” they were looking for even though you have been proving that you fit the profile and done everything you were told because you were “next in line” for the next opportunity.
Or you decide that you are going to take your talents elsewhere. See what else is out there. You find what seems to be the perfect opportunity (according to the posting), you apply. You are invited to interview. Then there is a second interview. Then the final round! Everyone thinks you would be a great fit and to just wait to be contacted.
And then… "We really enjoyed meeting you, but we've decided to go in a different direction." Again. For the third time this year.
So now you're lying awake at night running all the scenarios back over in head; over and over. Was it my résumé? Did I talk too much? Not enough? Do I need the certification? Do I need a different certification? Do I just need to work harder?
Let me stop you right there. G-I-R-L, you can’t possibly work any harder!
You've been working twice as hard, thrice as hard, sometimes four times as hard, just to be seen as qualified for the job you already have. Are you for real?
One of my clients described her experience this way:
“Limited opportunities for growth and so many opportunities available for growth are based in favoritism, often leaving me to do the work and then train the person that actually gets the promotion over me.”
She was trusted to do the work. Trusted to train the person stepping into the role. Still watching the opportunity go to someone else.
You don't want a "better" résumé. You want the role.
- You want to walk into that interview knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly why you're the obvious choice, and to say it without softening it, shrinking it, or apologizing for it.
- You want the recruiter and hiring manager to get it. Yeah, the title says “manager” but they can’t help but see a director. Yes, the title might say "project lead," but they see the person who ran a multimillion-dollar program and brought it in on time.
- You want to stop being the best-kept secret in your department and start being the name that comes up when senior roles open. And… you want an offer that reflects the value you actually bring, with a number that you were able to negotiate yourself, instead of taking the first number they threw out.
This isn't just about a bigger title. It's about the salary, the influence, the autonomy, and the room to build something. And honestly, it's about not having to keep proving you belong in rooms that you've already earned a seat in.
Real Client, Real Story
Nomvelo came to me with nurse manager experience and her sights on her first Nurse Director role.
As she put it, “I was already doing director-level work, but my resume didn’t communicate the scope and impact of my experience.”
We worked on communicating that scope and impact, so her experience reflected the level of leadership she was pursuing.
The outcome? Her first Nurse Director role.
“LaToya’s guidance helped me articulate my leadership strengths with confidence,” she shared, “and ultimately helped me land my first Nurse Director role!”
Why “just applying” is not enough
Let's be real about how this works. Getting to a senior level role is not the same as getting hired as a coordinator or generalist.
At the senior level:
- The jobs aren't always posted. A lot of director and VP roles get filled by people who were already on someone's radar. It’s impossible to compete for a job you don't know exists.
- Your résumé is describing the old job. It lists what you did. Senior hiring managers want what you changed: the budget, the team, the outcome. If you're missing the numbers, they can't see you at a more senior level.
- The questions get harder and sneakier. "Tell me about a time you led through ambiguity" is a very different test than "What's your greatest weakness?"
- And sometimes it isn't about you at all. Some of you are being passed over because of how your company promotes, who gets referred and who gets the benefit of the doubt.
- Saying the quiet part out loud. Your race and gender. Now, I am not going to jump straight to your race and gender being the reason you are being passed over for senior level roles. BUT, I am also not going to pretend that they never play a part. If that's part of your story, or has been your experience, you deserve a coach who'll say so out loud, and then help you figure out what you can actually do about it. When this is the case “working harder” is not going to suffice. Let’s call a spade and spade and acknowledge that you can’t out-hustle a problem that isn’t a hustle problem.
What you've probably tried (and why it hasn't gotten you there)
- You’ve rewritten your resume. You've rewritten your résumé (for every single role), put it through a free "ATS checker," and asked three friends to look it over, who each told you something different. We won’t talk about the $$$ you have dropped on it as well.
- You’ve taken courses and earned certifications. You've taken the course. Earned the certification. Maybe you're eyeing a second one, even though you can't tell if it would actually help or just be another $3,000+ gone in an attempt to feel productive.
- You’ve applied to over 100 jobs. You have applied through job boards, you have applied directly to company’s. You even try to make sure that you are one of the first people to apply. Your inbox is inundated with emails confirming that your application was received. You have accumulated a big, electronic pile of application confirmations that you have lost count of how many jobs you have applied to.
- You’ve “talked to” ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Co-Pilot. Heck… you are even thinking of giving it to Muse to see what Mark Zuckenberg can do for you. Always prompting the AI to "make my résumé sound more senior," all for it to hand back a document decked out with the word "spearheaded" and added a few accomplishments and skills that you have never even heard of or done before.
Now, please hear me and hear me clearly when I say this; none of that was dumb. Some of it probably helped a little. But here's the problem with every one of those attempted fixes: they all assume to already know what the problem is and that your problem is not unique and is the same as everyone else’s.
A résumé rewrite assumes the résumé is the problem. Another certification assumes you’re missing a credential. More applications assume it’s a numbers game. And throwing it all into AI? You will be guided in the wrong direction taking you further away from your goals if you do not know how to ask the right question(s).
And now you’ve done the most, and have nothing to show for it.
Stop pursuing the wrong thing and let’s actually land that role.
What you really need
You don't need another certification, another rewrite, or another pep talk about believing in yourself (you do. Obviously. You're still here).
You need someone to figure out what's actually standing between you and this role, and then build the plan around that. A clear case for why you're the person for the job. Materials that say it. A way to get in front of the people who decide. And practice, out loud, with someone who will tell you the truth, for the interview and for the salary conversation.
That's why I created Land the Role. It's a 6-week, start-to-finish program for women of color going after a director-level role or higher. It's built around one idea I'll stand on forever: you have to understand the person before you prescribe the path. So we start with you and your actual situation, then build the strategy. No templates. No generic playbook.
Hi, I'm LaToya!
As a driven, Black woman, I’ve been underestimated, pushed aside, and told to "be patient" countless times; all while knowing I was more than qualified for the roles I wanted.
As a member of HR and Talent Acquisition teams across industries, I spent more than a decade on the hiring side, seeing how talent decisions are actually made (spoiler alert: it is rarely the way the job posting says). Time and time again, I watched talented women share my lived experience, being passed over for roles we all knew they had already earned.
I got tired of watching brilliant women lose out on opportunities. So, I decided to turn the tables and built my business around helping women level up their career, recognize their abilities, and Land THE Role.
Best. Job. Ever.
If you want to find out what is really standing between you and the role you want, I'm the bestie you didn't know you needed, and I keep it real. You're welcome.
What my clients say
Land the Role
A 6-week program for women of color going after a director-level (or higher) role, designed to help you:
- Find out what's really standing between you and the role (skills, positioning, access, or the company itself), so you stop fixing the wrong thing
- Show up on paper as the director you already are, with a résumé and LinkedIn that match the level you're going for, so recruiters see the right person before you even say hello
- Get in front of the people who actually make the decision, so you aren't just another résumé in the pile
- Walk into the interview with your stories ready and say them like you mean it, so "We went in a different direction" stops being your reply
- Negotiate the offer with a number you researched and scripts you've already practiced, so you don't leave money on the table
What's included
- A pre-work questionnaire and review of your résumé, LinkedIn, and 3 real job postings, before we begin
- A 60-minute kickoff call, so we set the target and map out your 6 weeks
- Weekly one-focus, one-action assignments, so you always know the next move (and never get 14 things at once)
- Private coaching access with Google Space: voice notes, messages, and feedback from me with follow-up responses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I may occasionally reply on other days, but Tuesdays and Thursdays are my scheduled follow-up days.
- A skills-gap map for your target role, so you know what to close, what to reframe, and what to ignore
- Your résumé and LinkedIn, aligned to your target role, with two rounds of feedback from me, so you aren't guessing whether it's working
- An outreach and networking plan with scripts, so you can start the conversations that never make it onto a job board
- A live mock interview with real feedback, and a story bank of your best leadership examples
- A live salary negotiation practice session, with scripts and a researched range
Total time commitment: about 2 to 3 hours a week, plus 3 live calls (kickoff, mock interview, and negotiation practice), about 45 to 60 minutes each.
Your investment: $2,500 $2,000
Limited-Time Introductory Rate Available through November 2, 2026
Save $500 when you enroll at the beta rate.
Payment options:
- Pay in full: $2,000
- Payment plan: 3 monthly payments of $700 ($2,100 total)
For comparison: a certification can run three thousand dollars, a master's degree can run well past twenty thousand, and a year in a role that's stalled costs you the raise you didn't get. This is the cheaper way to find out what you actually need before you spend on any of them.
I take on 6 women of color at a time, so everyone gets real attention.
Spots remaining right now: 5
Next Start Date: Monday November 2, 2026
Let’s talk about your next move.
We start with a complimentary consultation call so we can meet and make sure this is a fit.
Grab a ConsultationThis is for you if...
- You know the role you're going after, like Director, Senior Manager, VP, or a clear step up from where you are
- You have the experience and the track record, and you're tired of watching it not show up on paper or in the room
- You've been told you were "almost there," "not quite ready," or "a great fit, but..." more than once
- You're willing to do the work between our check-ins, since I'm in your corner but I can't do your interviews for you
- You want a coach who'll tell you the truth, including when the problem is them and not you
This is not for you if...
- You don't know yet what you want to do next. That's a different program (the one where we sort out the direction first). Explore Breaking Out the Box.
- You want me to write your résumé and LinkedIn for you. I coach you through them and give detailed feedback, but I don't ghostwrite. This process will end with a better outcome than if I just did it for you, because I need your input and feedback as we go.
- You want a guarantee that you'll get the job. I'll never promise that, and you should run from anyone who does. I can promise you'll be ready, prepared, and positioned to win it as best as you can possibly be..
- You can't give this about 2 to 3 hours a week for the next 6 weeks
"But why can't I just do this with AI?"
No one is saying you can’t use AI. It can be great at some of this. It’ll clean up your résumé bullets in about nine seconds (or less), and it won’t charge you $2,500.
But getting an answer and knowing what to do with it are two different things. Is it accurate? Does it fit your situation? Is it realistic for your life? And will acting on it move you toward what you actually want?
AI is limited by what you feed it. Without insight, quality judgment, and human understanding, AI can’t prepare you to level up your career and support you on the journey.
AI vs Me
Context
- AI doesn't have real context. It doesn't know that your boss said "you're not ready" after having your best performance year yet. It doesn’t know how you undersell and downplay your work by saying “I just helped” or “I assisted” when you know darn well you led the full team. But I will, those are exactly the things I catch.
- I investigate the meaning and truth behind what you say. You say, “I supported the project.” I help you articulate what you actually owned, decided, changed, and delivered. I help you uncover the receipts, and then we bring it front and center.
The Root Cause
- AI can't figure out what's actually in the way. Is it your positioning? A real skills gap? Or a company that doesn't promote people who look like you? AI can only answer the question you typed in.
- I connect your experiences using judgment and reason. I ask the right questions that uncover whether the problem is “them” or whether the problem is you (it might be a little of column A and a little of column B).
Application & Accountability
- AI doesn’t know how or when to properly challenge you. It congratulates you for completing busy work. It can ask you mock interview questions, but it can’t give you in- the-moment feedback to break bad habits and help you present with full confidence. AI can build you a plan but can’t help you implement or follow through when doing the work gets hard.
- I am here to unlock your full potential. I push and encourage you when you need it, not necessarily when you want it. I pause the planned agenda because something you just said deserves attention, and I ask the deeper questions, working through the answers with you. I hold you accountable for the work you committed to, and celebrate your wins along the way.
Questions you might be asking
Can't I just do this with ChatGPT?
You can use it for the first draft (go ahead). But it doesn't know you, can't tell whether the problem is your résumé or your workplace, won't push back in a mock interview, and won't ask you on Thursday whether you sent that email. That part is the difference between a plan and a promotion.
Can you guarantee I'll get the job?
No, and I'd be suspicious of anyone who does. A hiring decision isn't mine to make, or yours. What I can promise is that you'll be clear, ready, and positioned to win it, and that you'll have a coach in your corner the whole way. I'm accountable for the quality of the coaching. You're accountable for showing up.
I don't have a specific role in mind yet. Is this for me?
Not yet. If you know you want out but don't know what's next, start with Breaking Out the Box and we'll sort out your direction first. Land the Role is for when you've got a target and want to get there.
Is this only for women of color?
Even though this was built with women of color in mind and designed for what they are up against; members of marginalized groups find this to be a good fit for them as well. If you think this is a fit for you, schedule your complimentary consultation.
What if I think my problem is my company, not me?
Then we'll look at it directly. Sometimes the answer is to get promoted where you are, and sometimes it's to leave. We'll figure out which, and build a plan either way.
I'm so busy. Will I have time?
You're already giving this stress your sleep and your weekends, so you may as well put that energy somewhere it pays you back. You'll need about 2 to 3 hours a week. Other than our 3 dedicated coaching sessions, the rest is async (voice notes and messages, not weekly 45-minute sessions), so it fits around your actual life.
Can I split up the payment?
Yes. 3 payments of $700. I run the payment plan myself, so no waiting to see if Klarna approves you.
What happens after the 6 weeks?
You'll leave with everything you need to keep going on your own. If you're still mid-search and want a hand, I offer ongoing monthly support for interview debriefs and offer negotiation.
You've been the best-kept secret long enough
You don't have to keep grinding through applications, second-guessing your résumé, or wondering whether it's you. You've got the experience. You've got the track record. You just need the right plan, and someone in your corner who gets it.
Let’s talk about your next move.
We start with a complimentary consultation call so we can meet and make sure this is a fit.
Grab a ConsultationGrab a Consultation
The Complimentary Consultation is a casual, no-pressure conversation designed for professionals who have reviewed my services and are seriously considering investing in professional career support. We will use this call to help us both decide if working together is the right next step.