Our Mission

Why Shift

Interview questions, answers, and ideas

The difference between a successful interview and a bad interview is often just a small SHIFT. A SHIFT in our behavior, tone of voice or answer often unlocks the next opportunity. It's not about pretending to be something you're not, it's about being the best version of yourself. We bring out the best in our clients.

We believe

Anna interview online logo

Not everyone interviews the same way. Giving everyone the same advice doesn't work. We believe that in order to teach people how to interview we must first figure out what's holding you back, help you understand your interview style and give you tools and tips on how to improve.

Who we are

Worldwide interviewing techniques

We can help anyone in any industry. All of us have been on both sides of the table and know what it takes to get the job. We have interviewed and we have coached and we have hired. We know interviewing.

Our promise

presentation of hiring statistics

Everyone improves with coaching, preparation, and practice. You will too, if you have the right guide and right coach to help you on your interviewing journey.

 

Our methodology

Interviewing checklist for candidates

Our methodology rests not on educated guesses, but on informed decisions based on data. We are scientists, researchers, and trainers. We can teach you the science of interviewing.

 

Our process

Your interview options

Each step of our process revolves around you. We discover your needs, distill your priorities, test your interview style, train you and provide you with data.

 

 

If you are looking for more HR services, check out our sister company

HR on Retainer

Meet the SHIFT team.

Corporate Team


Experience and Education 

Drawn from her 10-plus years of experience in corporate recruiting, talent acquisition, training, and human resources she has developed the SHIFT profile an industry leading assessment, for job seekers and hiring managers to identify their interview style. Since launching SHIFT in 2011, Anna has served both private clients on an individual basis and large consulting projects with universities and corporations including Lincoln Financial Group and Temple University. She has helped students, entrepreneurs, senior executives, and job seekers of all ages shift into meaningful careers, gain confidence, prepare for interviews and negotiate job offers.

Anna has designed a life on her own terms. Independent since age 15, she went on to earn a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. Her keen intelligence, inner strength, and people skills led to a thriving, decade-long career in the insurance and finance industries. Prior to founding SHIFT Philadelphia, Anna spent several years at Conner Strong & Buckelew, which ranks among the largest insurance brokerages in the country. As Manager of Recruiting and Workforce Development, she supervised the company’s recruiting efforts and was responsible for placing $7.2 million in salary dollars in just two years. After being promoted to Director of Talent Acquisition, she added an intern program and saved $2.2 million on recruiting fees. Prior to Papalia’s employment at Conner Strong & Buckelew, she was a contingent recruiter, securing and placing accounting and finance executives in Fortune 500 companies and privately owned businesses across all industries.

As a former corporate recruiter, Anna has an unparalleled window into what it takes to land not just any job—but the right job.

Why do you coach?

I love the process of helping clients discover what they want and being the person that helps them make it happen. My goal is to always get my clients where they want to go. Some clients don’t know where they want to go and I help them figure that out. Some clients know exactly what they want but keep failing to get there and it’s my job to dissect the reasons why. I think of myself as a human GPS. I act as a friendly reminder of what you want for yourself.

Strengths and Weaknesses

+ I am direct, no nonsense and I get it done.

+ I have taught thousands of clients how to interview. I know what it takes to get a job.

- I am incredibly focused and driven and achieving my goals takes over everything. Some days I tell myself the goal is to just relax.

- People tell me that they were intimidated when they first met me but once someone gets to know me they learn pretty quickly that’s not the case.

Personality Question: What's your spirit animal?

I would be an elephant. They are wise and have a great memory. They are protective and strong. They live in a supportive tribe and care for each other. And talk about confidence, elephants are so bold without saying a word. Have you ever seen an elephant that wasn’t impressive? 

Anna Papalia Founder & CEO

Anna Papalia

Founder & CEO, Shift Profile - Charmer
"I want to help my clients become the best versions of themselves."


Experience and Education

David comes from the suburbs of Boston, MA. He has held Actuarial positions at QBE and Liberty Mutual. He works as a Data Analysis Consultant at Shift and is the man behind the scoring and programming. A wizard with numbers, his dream job would be to run a sabermetric website.

What does David do in his spare time?

David is a member of a dozen fantasy sports leagues including multiple fantasy football leagues (he’s the commissioner in two), a fantasy basketball league, and a fantasy golf league. He loves to watch sports and study sports data.

Strengths and Weaknesses

+An excel guru

+Highly motivated

-Detail oriented loses sight of the big picture

-Tends not to review his work because he is too eager for the next task

Personality Question: If you wrote the autobiography of your life what would the title be?

Find me at Fenway.

 

David Orsi - Data Analyst, Shift Profile - Examiner

David Orsi

Data Analyst, Shift Profile - Examiner
David is a member of a dozen fantasy sports leagues including multiple fantasy football leagues

Trainers

Experience and Education

Becky has a B.A. in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University’s College of Education. Her training allows her to effectively coach adults in professional settings, design change management processes, facilitate group decision making, and develop organizational training programs. Becky began her career managing the exceptional teams of some of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants. Her experience staffing for this high turnover industry allows her to effectively help job-seekers position their skills and stand out among the rest.

Why do you coach?

I coach because I truly enjoy helping people navigate the interview and job search process, gain confidence in the skills they have, and get one step closer to their dream career. I have a first-hand understanding of how grueling this process can be, and I am committed to giving people the tools they need to make it less taxing and more fun.

Strengths and Weaknesses

+ My ability to make meaningful connections with people along a wide range of backgrounds. I enjoy making people feel welcomed and comfortable with their authentic selves.

+My customer service skills. From years of working in hospitality, I've learned creative ways to resolve difficult situations and understand guest issues.

-My biggest weakness is that I have a difficult time asking my colleagues for help. Because I value autonomy and independent thinking, I fear coming across incompetent or needy when I ask for assistance from someone else.

-I can be obsessed with efficiency and this makes me impatient. I'm learning to understand that there is a lot to learn from more detail-oriented peers.

Personality Question: If I were a type of pasta I would be?

Rainbow pasta salad. This dish allows for endless possibilities for creativity, works well as a side dish or an entree, and can be tailored to suit evolving taste palates.

Becky Davis - Trainer & Coach, Shift Profile - Charmer

Becky Davis

Trainer & Coach, Shift Profile - Charmer
"I have a first-hand understanding of how grueling this process can be, and I am committed to make it less taxing and more fun."

Experience and Education

Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree from North Central University and has completed continuing education in human resource management at Villanova University. She is a certified HR professional and active member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Sarah has been working in the field for the better half of the last decade. Before she left the corporate world to start her own HR consulting business, she was HR & Compliance Director for a healthcare technology company where she oversaw hiring, compensation & benefits, employee relations, immigration & work authorizations, and legal compliance. As a hiring manager herself, she has reviewed thousands of resumes, conducted hundreds of interviews, and helped countless people take the next step in their career. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to SHIFT as a coach and trainer.

Why do you coach?

I am obsessed the Olympics. I cry happy tears when the winners cross the finish line, regardless of what country they are from, because I love seeing people’s hard work pay off and their dreams come true. That same spirit is at play in my professional life as well. I am honored to hold the title ‘coach’ and assist others in realizing their career goals and aspirations. I love helping people win.

Strengths + Weaknesses

+ Communication: I know how to illustrate complex topics in ways that are memorable and easy to understand.

+ Public Speaking / Teaching: I’ve being speaking in large and small group settings since 2008. Whether it is 2 people or 200 people, I know how to engage my audiences and value their time.

- ‘Too Nice’ – I was born and raised in Minnesota (see Wikipedia page on ‘Minnesota Nice’). In the past, this has led me to be averse to conflict but living in Philly for the past decade has helped me find a balance when it comes to healthy confrontation.

What were the last three songs that you listened to?

Bob Marley’s ‘Don’t Worry About Thing.’ Panic at the Disco’s ‘High Hopes.’ ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen.’

Sarah Spegal - Trainer & Coach, Shift Profile - Examiner

Sarah Spegal

Trainer & Coach, Shift Profile - Examiner
"I pride myself on being human-centered and data-driven, empowering both job-seekers and employers to thrive."

Coaches

 

Russ Rollins – Open Examiner

Experience and Education

Russ received his B.B.A. in Risk Management and Insurance from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Before joining Shift, Russ worked both managerial and operational roles across various industries—including childcare, transportation, hospitality, and insurance.  In each of these roles, Russ extended beyond his core responsibilities to support corporate marketing and recruitment efforts. These experiences combined with volunteer and community service coaching and mentorship work created valuable insights and perspective that Russ felt best to share through Shift.

Why do you coach?

I coach to normalize the process by providing context. People on both sides of the table lose sight of the fact that an interview is a conversation—a unique two-way assessment, in which both parties are trying to determine best fit. Who you hire or who you decide to work with/for— is a game changer—I take incredible satisfaction in partnering with people to make one of life’s most impactful decisions. 

Strengths and Weaknesses

+I go above and beyond for who and what I believe in, and I’m willing to bet the ranch on my team. Lay it all on the line.

+ It’s never the problem you have, it’s how you go about solving it. Communication, accountability, and action plan is key. I realize that.

- I have one gear—GO. Full speed. That works most of the time, but some projects are a marathon rather than a sprint.

- I love being a go-to guy. Difficult assignment? Got a tough customer nobody else wants to deal with—give me the customer’s number, I’ll bring this home. Often guilty of overload.

Personality Question: What makes you laugh?

Many things—but these two, without fail. One, when young children mimic advanced expressions or ideas—the smaller the child, the more hilarious the moment. Also, when elderly people display new age swagger or use slang as a means to jokingly connect or bridge the gap with younger people—I love it.

Russell Rollins - Coach, Shift Profile - Challenger

Russell Rollins

Coach, Shift Profile - Challenger
"People on both sides of the table lose sight of the fact that an interview is a conversation."

Kevin Haines – Open Examiner/Diplomat

Experience and Education 

Kevin received his B.S. in Spanish and World Languages Education at Penn State and his M.A. from Middlebury College while living in Spain. Through years of working with and advising students in international education and helping them land their dream jobs, Kevin has worked with a diverse group of people and is passionate about helping them figure out life’s next steps.

Why do you coach? 

I decided to coach because I never had that help when I was an undergraduate, so I like to give back. I was not aware of resources such as interview help back when I was in college, so I find it rewarding to be able to help students prepare for something that could and will eventually change their lives.

Strengths and Weaknesses

+ I am always willing to sit and listen to anyone if they need to (or just simply want to) talk.

+ I always look at the positive side of things and am optimistic in most situations.

- I can sometimes be too empathetic when tough love is needed.

- I strive for perfection and tend to, at times, focus more on the little, not-as-important things.

Personality Question: If you were a YouTube video, what would you be?

I’d be an ASMR video because they are calming and help people – exactly what I try to be/do for others! 

Kevin Haines - Coach, Shift Profile - Challenger

Kevin Haines

Coach, Shift Profile - Challenger
"I am always willing to sit and listen to anyone if they need to (or just simply want to) talk."
Get your Shift Profile

Why?

"For years, I worked in recruiting and sat helpless as candidates and hiring managers made simple mistakes. I couldn’t feed them good answers. I couldn’t slip them a list of insightful questions to ask. And I certainly couldn’t give them any negotiating tips. I decided that what I wanted to do was teach people on both sides of the table how to interview."

Anna Papalia

Founder & CEO of SHIFT

Do you want to work with us?
We are hiring Career Coaches and Trainers.
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