ABOUT US
CareerVantage Connections is a coaching-first career strategy and branding firm founded by Dr. Carla Rutley.
Unlike résumé mills, we start by giving you clarity and a connection plan, then a senior writer crafts your résumé and LinkedIn so both humans and ATS instantly get your value.
We support every stage—Rise, Reset, Redirect—with a simple path that moves from discovery to activation, interview confidence, and offer support.
You’ll work with a collaborative team and a client dashboard that turns guidance into weekly, doable actions—scripts, trackers, and measurable wins.
The result is a repeatable system that blends evidence-based hiring insight with human, high-touch coaching so you stop guessing and start getting offers faster.
Career Coach. Adjunct Professor. Your Partner in Landing the Role You Deserve.
Carla’s diverse experiences allow her to pivot her coaching to cover many industries and occupations. A former Executive Director of Milwaukee Women Inc. she helped to bring more women leaders onto corporate boards. Carla previously led Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Economic and Workforce Development as Executive Director of WCAN, bringing CEOs of business and manufacturing, leaders of Higher Education, first responders, and municipalities to identify workforce talent needs while building out the region’s infrastructure to support the prosperity of the State and residents.
As a certified career coach, she works with individuals to build and manage their career aspirations for those who have been outplaced, relocated, seeking a shift, or are a rising professional needing to identify a direction. In parallel, she conducts webinars to help get the best out of LinkedIn resources for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Skills
Carla works closely with candidates on advanced networking and mentoring skills. She prides herself on mapping out job attainment beyond digital strategies, even for those introverts who dislike the traditional idea of networking. Carla explores other approaches that transcend success, from rising talent to C-suite professionals. Carla is excited to enrich the future of the candidates we serve.
Education
Doctor of Business Administration – Marketing Specialty, Capella University
MBA, Ottawa University, Wisconsin
Undergraduate degree, Ottawa University, Wisconsin
Graduate of Leadership Waukesha, Wisconsin
Community Involvement
Past and current leader within the local Chamber of Commerce
Active in various Business Associations
Passionate about connecting opportunities with talent.
Focused support, without extra friction.
Choose the option that fits what you need right now. Book one focused session for immediate clarity, or three sessions for deeper strategy and stronger follow-through.
Best when you need immediate clarity on one priority, one decision, or one conversation.
- Choose one area of focus
- Clear direction and a confident next step
- Ideal for a high-priority issue that needs quick traction
Best when you want deeper thinking, sharper strategy, and stronger follow-through across multiple priorities.
- Work through up to three core priorities
- Build momentum across focused sessions
- Stronger execution and clearer leadership follow-through