SIAN LEAN
Wellington
Summary
Careers Consultant, CV & Cover Letter Writer and Workshop Facilitator
My superpower is helping you find yours!
I am a results-driven, motivated and engaging careers consultant, facilitator and business owner.
I have project management expertise, experience working in government, at industry training organisations and at university. I have experience leading teams, managing budgets and developing strategies to engage audiences.
I am the founder of Zebra Career Consulting, a bespoke career support service providing customized CV's and cover letters plus career insights for jobseekers of all ages and backgrounds. My lateral approach to career discovery helps my clients shift industries and roles. I am there to support clients through challenging times by helping jobseekers access inner confidence and wisdom to move forward with a positive, growth mindset for the future.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Careers Consultant
Zebra Career Consulting
10.2024 - Current
- Write effective and impactful CV's and cover letters
- Identified clients with specific skill sets to recommend for roles
- Maintained knowledge of market and diverse career opportunities
- Enhanced community outreach to bring in new candidates, highlight programs and meet targets
- Built relationships with clients and stakeholders
Creative Director and Founder
Ahmedabad Silk Traders
09.2024 - Current
- Design and manage garment production in India
- Manage shipping logistics
- Manage brand activation events
Employment Consultant
Evaro
03.2024 - Current
- Support clients with disabilities into employment
- Composed effective and impactful CV's and cover letters
- Facilitate career and disability expos to build exposure
- Assessed individuals to identify skills, strengths and interests for job placement
- Conducted employer and community organization outreach to promote employment services
- Recognized client employment barriers and devised strategies to resolve
- Tracked clients' progress in Webcare database to provide monthly reports
Financial Wellbeing Consultant
Good Shepherd New Zealand
06.2023 - 02.2024
- Focused on supporting women's financial wellbeing through eduction and access to no-interest loans
- Conducted in-depth client interviews to determine budget' status, triaged clients to appropriate departments as necessary and remotely managed debt consolidation and debt reduction, negotiation with creditors process for clients all over New Zealand
- Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions
- Collaborated with teams to define, strategize, and implement marketing and web strategies
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements
- Role ended due to company restructure/ role reduction
Owner, Director
Self-employed Owner, Building Maintenance Business
01.2014 - 06.2022
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Quoted jobs, sales management, creditor and accounts management, invoicing and customer relationships
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Role ended due to pandemic interruption.
Sales and Education, WellAble Disability Support
WellAble
03.2020 - 07.2020
- Disability support sales, service and education
- Role ended due to pandemic and health reason
Education Specialist/ Qualifications Designer
BCITO Building and Construction Industry Training
08.2019 - 03.2020
- Designed courses of study for NZQA accreditation
- Ended role due to Covid period for health reasons
Owner, Operator, Kapiti Kruzer
Kapiti Kruzer Coach Tours
06.2016 - 11.2019
- Bought, rebuilt and rebranded every part of the business and its operations and built customer base
- Managed all client enquiries and bookings
- Promoted wedding and other event transport, scheduled and booked and invoiced all transport
- Managed school transport contracts in Kapiti area
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs
- Managed day-to-day business operations
- Ended role when sold the business
Mortgage Broker, Lending and Risk
Self-employed
06.2016 - 10.2018
- Collaborated with and facilitated communications between borrowers and lenders to obtain ideal loans for home purchases.
- Assessed clients' financial data to determine loan suitability.
- Explained entire mortgage loan process to borrower.
- Advised clients on loan process and specialized topics in home purchasing such as how to structure their loan to pay it off faster.
- Risk (insurance) advice and quotes for personal cover.
- Business development, new business and exiting.
- Left role to pursue self-employment.
Budget Advisor and Advocate
Massey University
01.2012 - 07.2014
- Advocated for students to access available resources
- Planned and promoted career planning presentations, work experience programs and career workshops
- Budget advice for students
Self-employed Music Teacher, Sydney
Self-employed
01.2008 - 12.2010
- Planned and executed targeted lesson plans to instruct on music theory, music history, and performance etiquette. Helped prepare students for Australian public and private school assessments.
- Coordinated musical direction for large-group performances including at the Sydney Opera House.
Teacher
NZ and Australian Schools
02.1993 - 12.2010
- Lesson planning, preparation, teaching and assessment
- Designed detailed learning plans for students based on test, homework and assignment records
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioural and academic issues
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work
Music Teacher, Fixed-term Role, Kenya
Turi International Boarding School
08.2008 - 12.2008
- Facilitated preparation for UK GCSE assessments
- Planned and executed targeted lesson plans to instruct on music theory, music history, and performance etiquette.
- Tailored instruction to meet individual student needs and cultivated inclusive learning environment.
Education
Diploma - Employment Support
Diploma Health & Wellbeing L5, Applied Practice
Careerforce09-2025
Postgraduate Diploma Level 8 - Education
Massey University
Wellington, NZ03-2008
Bachelor Teaching - Teaching And Learning
Victoria University
Wellington, New Zealand11-2005
Diploma Steiner Teaching - Steiner Education
Raphael College
Byron Bay11-2005
Diploma Biodynamic Agriculture - Biodynamic Agriculture
Taruna College
Hawke's Bay11-2001
Diploma Level 5 - Music
Diploma Music
Wellington Polytechnic11-1995
University Entrance With Bursary -
Wellington High School
Wellington11.1992
Skills
- Expert facilitator
- Strategic thinking
- Project management
- Deadline oriented
- Business Development Experience
Timeline
Careers Consultant
Zebra Career Consulting
10.2024 - Current
Creative Director and Founder
Ahmedabad Silk Traders
09.2024 - Current
Employment Consultant
Evaro
03.2024 - Current
Financial Wellbeing Consultant
Good Shepherd New Zealand
06.2023 - 02.2024
Sales and Education, WellAble Disability Support
WellAble
03.2020 - 07.2020
Education Specialist/ Qualifications Designer
BCITO Building and Construction Industry Training
08.2019 - 03.2020
Owner, Operator, Kapiti Kruzer
Kapiti Kruzer Coach Tours
06.2016 - 11.2019
Mortgage Broker, Lending and Risk
Self-employed
06.2016 - 10.2018
Owner, Director
Self-employed Owner, Building Maintenance Business
01.2014 - 06.2022
Budget Advisor and Advocate
Massey University
01.2012 - 07.2014
Music Teacher, Fixed-term Role, Kenya
Turi International Boarding School
08.2008 - 12.2008
Self-employed Music Teacher, Sydney
Self-employed
01.2008 - 12.2010
Teacher
NZ and Australian Schools
02.1993 - 12.2010
Diploma - Employment Support
Diploma Health & Wellbeing L5, Applied Practice
Postgraduate Diploma Level 8 - Education
Massey University
Bachelor Teaching - Teaching And Learning
Victoria University
Diploma Steiner Teaching - Steiner Education
Raphael College
Diploma Biodynamic Agriculture - Biodynamic Agriculture
Taruna College
Diploma Level 5 - Music
Diploma Music
University Entrance With Bursary -
Wellington High School
Accomplishments
- Supported jobseekers in Wellington area: 2024 - ongoing
- Project managed jobs expo for clients with disabilities - 2024 - ongoing
- Owner and operator coach charter business, 2016 - 2019
- Launched brand, Ahmedabad Silk Traders, 2024
- Recipient, PPTA Teacher's Award, scholarship for postgraduate study at Massey University - 2006
- Led a musical performance at the Sydney Opera House
Affiliations
- Member of Hutt and Kapiti Chamber of Commerce
Certification
- Registered Teacher, NZ Teacher's Council, 2005
- Accredited Budget Advisor, NZFFBS, 2012
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Dancing
- Surfing
- Sewing
- Travel
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
"Some people say diamonds, some people say denim
- I say both!!"
Dolly Parton
REFEREES
Available upon request
Volunteer Experience
- Parkrun volunteer, Run Director 2016 - 2023, Kapiti
Work Preference
Work Type
Contract WorkWork Location
RemoteHybridOn-SiteSoftware
Webcare CRM and others
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