Craig Davis

An award-winning Senior Customer Service Representative with 12+ years of experience. Helping hospitality companies create amazing customer experiences that drive 7-figures in annual growth.

I help content creators on LinkedIn by leaving value-driven comments.

My first job was working as a Janitor at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York in June 2006. I enjoyed learning how to serve people, do a job, and learn about its mission.

I volunteer to serve Thanksgiving food, Christmas Gifts and attend church conferences.

Those experiences translated to my first full-time job, working at a casino in October 2011.

Out of over 1,000+ employees with no phone experience, I became the first-ever Employee of the Month in the Call Center for Outstanding Customer Service.

My former manager wrote in 2015:

"His dedication to excellence and delivering above and beyond what is required makes him a solid addition to any organization." - Elba Batista, Former Customer Relations Manager at Resorts World Casino New York City.

Working in hospitality taught me how to be patient, empathetic, and caring.

My goal is to become a Customer Success Associate at a hospitality tech startup in New York, NY. Here are three reasons why:

1) To start, I want to make a career change that I will be happy with for a long time.

2) Throughout my career, I’ve become an expert at uncovering people’s desired outcomes to help create amazing customer experiences.

3) You get my skills and relevant customer experience to bring a hospitality tech startup in New York, NY.

Why a hospitality startup? To bring insights from working in hotels.

I create content on LinkedIn that focuses on personal branding, adding value, and sharing webinar takeaways. I like to visit Farmer's Markets in New York.

To see webinar takeaways from May 27th, 2020 to now, click "See all" on the featured tab.

To follow my content, follow my hashtag: #CraigNotes

If you are open to how we can work and help each other, please send an InMail or LinkedIn Message.

Specialties: Customer Experience | Hospitality Expert | Account Management | Communication | Relationship Management | Data Analysis | Project Management | Customer Engagement | Relationship Building | Market Research | Customer Retention | Salesforce.com | Customer Support | Troubleshooting | Data Entry | Technical Support

Technical Skills / Systems: | Trello | OS365 / Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Sharepoint, Powerpoint | Google Suite - Docs, Sheets, Slides | SQL | Slack | Hubspot | OnQ | Meridian | HotSoS | MARSHA | Guestware | Canva | Zoom

Senior Customer Service Representative

•	Facilitated exceptional customer experiences through utilizing data within the hotel data 
        management system, resulting in $5K of extra daily revenue.

•	Boosted customer testimonials by handling customer inquiries during the nomination which 
        resulted in winning the 2019 Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor for the hotel.

•	Upsell ~$900k on an annual basis for upgrades in service packages and room upgrades 
        consistently by educating customers on incentives and rewards.

7 LinkedIn challenges I’m taking on in 2026

(Here's how to completely transform your networking)

1. I will ask for specific help when I need it

- Start your post with: "I need your advice on this."
- Share what you tried. Be straight to the point.
- Ask why you need help. (Not clear? Rewrite)

2. I will personalize my comments

- When commenting, share your personal experience.
- Write how you felt or what the post reminds you of.
- Even if you think no one will read it, still share.

3. I will go on a call with 1 connection monthly

- Check connections you haven't spoken to.
- In your DM, mention a recent post you loved.
- Finally, ask to speak for 15 minutes. Follow up.

4. I will write at least 1 LI Recommendation per quarter.

- Reach out to your 1st degree connections.
- Think of how they added value to you and thank them.
- Send a draft. Talk about the situation, with results.

5. I will reflect on my comments to improve them

- Look at the last 10 comments you wrote.
- Think of how you can make your comments better.
- Ask yourself: "Does my comment expand on the post?"

6. I will connect with at least 1 new person per day

- Check posts from 2nd and 3rd-degree connections.
- Check their content and send a personalized request.
- Offer to support their posts. Check their posting time.

7. I will write 7 thank you cards to send in person
- Find a store or shop online to buy blank cards.
- Let your connections know you are sending a card.
- Ask where to mail it to and thank them for their help.

This list is important to help you build real relationships.

Let's make 2026 the year of quality networking!

(Save and Repost this ♻️ to help someone start 2026 strong.)

P.S. Which of these (1-7) will you start first in 2026? Happy New Year!

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Helping beginners navigate LinkedIn and stand out with proven tips and strategies | 10+ years on LinkedIn, known for writing "really good comments" that convert

This is easily overlooked in LinkedIn comments:

Making the author of the post look "great".

Often times, we fall into this trap of trying to say the best thing. Something that'll attract likes and replies.

But we forget about the author of the post.

My simple formula is:

1. Always tag + acknowledge the author of a post
2. Compliment them.

Why should you do this? Because...

1. You're valuing the author's work
2. You're not making it all about yourself
3. It shows "authenticity" to your audience

In a nutshell...

Don't make your comment look good.
Make the author look great too!
It's an excellent combination!

Sounds "good"? :)

(Save and repost this to help others make authors of posts look great.♻️)

P.S. Do you compliment a post's author in your comments? Or do you just leave your thoughts?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Working hard towards your New Year’s resolution?

Or is momentum starting to fade?

Here's the truth:

Most people have resolutions that fade before the month ends.

In my opinion, the best way to stay the course and to accomplish your goals is to start smart. To do this you:

Take a goal.
Break it down.
Make it realistic.

For example: my goal is to comment on at least 20 new people's posts. Daily.

So I:

-Set aside time to comment daily
-Ensure my commenting time is uninterrupted
-Have a list of 20 accounts that I want to comment on

This means I have to step out of my comment zone, too.

And I have to build a habit. One that I can handle.

But the good thing is the more you do it, the better you get.

Carry this momentum forward and make each day count so you can ensure that you meet your goal.

Let's make 2026 a great year for stretching ourselves!

(Save and repost this so someone can start 2026 well.♻️)

P.S. What new habits are you starting to build this year?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

The best thing about the new year?

You get a chance to work on you.

Wrote LinkedIn Articles for 5 years since December 2020.

The theme for 2026 is in the article.

(Save and repost this.♻️)

P.S. Do you make New Year's Resolutions?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Tuesday, 8:05am January 6th, 2026 Mom is resting. She made breakfast for the family. Baby bro is in his room. Right now, it's partly cloudy. It's 35 d

Open article: My theme for 2026 by Craig Davis • 2 min read

Shelley Piedmont, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

You've spent years building real expertise. You've solved many problems and delivered great results.
 
But when it comes time to talk about what you do, whether you're considering a career change or sitting in an interview, you can't quite put your finger on what makes you valuable. You know you're good at what you do, but you can't clearly explain why or how that matters to someone else.You're struggling because you've never stepped back to truly understand what your experience adds up to and how to talk about it in a way that makes sense to someone else.

I was a recruiter for 20 years, which means I've interviewed thousands of leaders. I've also coached 400+ mid-career professionals through career transitions and interview prep.What I've learned is this: most people know what they're good at. They don't know how to talk about it.

I work with people in two situations:

1) You're thinking about a career change.You know you need something different, but you're stuck. You're worried your experience won't translate. You're scared of starting over or taking a pay cut. You don't know how to explore options without blowing up your current stability.

I help you figure out what actually makes sense for you, then show you how to talk about your background so it sounds like an asset, not a liability.

2) You have interviews coming up, and you're not ready. When you try to explain what you do, it either comes out as a rambling career history or three vague sentences. You leave interviews kicking yourself because you forgot to mention half your accomplishments.I teach you how to tell your story in a way that's clear, confident, and actually lands. The organization has a strategy; you should, too.

Here's what's different about working with me: I've been on the other side of the table. I know what hiring managers are actually listening for. I know why some answers work and others fall flat.

For example, everyone says they're a "strategic thinker," but almost no one shows how they think strategically or what results that thinking produces. That's the difference between an answer that sounds good and one that gets you hired.

"I was feeling very lost when we started. Shelley helped me organize my plan, understand my strengths, and put an actionable plan together. I now feel ready to move forward with purpose."

"Shelley gave me different ways of looking at how I answer interview questions, which will help tremendously."

Book a free consultation, and I'll show you what's getting lost in translation. Check out the link in my contact information.

Interview the Right Way Coach

Shelley Piedmont

Is 2026 the year when you can finally breathe?

That was all a client of mine wanted when I asked her to imagine what achieving her career goals would do for her life. 

In 2025, many professionals were holding their breath. They stopped dreaming about what was possible because they were paralyzed by what they thought was probable:

—News stories about 6-month+ job searches and ghosting made staying in toxic cultures feel like the "safe" choice.
—Losing the emotional energy required to actually go for it, because it seems so out of reach.
—Starting to doubt your marketability, because you don't get positive affirmation that your work is valued.

To start breathing in 2026, you have to follow my client’s lead and move from "surviving" to "strategizing":

—Write down what "breath" means to you. Is it more autonomy? Better leadership?
—Separate the horror stories from your specific market reality. Many job seekers who struggled did not apply a strategic, relationship-based search.
—You don't have to do this alone. High-performers use coaches to maintain the accountability and perspective they lose when they’re burnt out (ask my clients).

We are in a new year. At this time next year, do you want to bemoan another year where you still can't breathe, or do you want to say you have found your fresh air?

If it is the former, I am here to help you out.

---
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes you rather than exhausts you.
♻️ Resonated with you? Your repost could help someone else, too
🔔 Follow + ring the bell for weekly career reality checks
🟪 Questions about your next move? I'm here to help. Ask below or DM me

Shelley Piedmont🧭

Clarity↣Strategy↣Hired For Managers to VPs • Job Search Strategist & Interview Coach • Career Coach, Job Change Advisor & Resume + LinkedIn Advisor

Campus recruiting is changing (again).
And not in a good way for most students.

A note: I usually focus on mid-career job seekers in my posts. This will likely apply to your children, nieces, and nephews who are in college or about to graduate. It is something you should know.

My Monday's number: 26%

That's how many companies were exclusively recruiting from a shortlist of elite schools in 2025, up from 17% in 2022, according to a Veris Insights survey of over 150 companies.

The "talent is everywhere" message from the hot job market? Gone. Now, hiring from elite schools and near corporate HQ is a priority.

Let's look at what is happening.

GE Appliances cut their campus visits from 45-50 schools down to just 15.
McKinsey removed  "We hire people, not degrees" from their career page. Evidently, that is not true anymore (but what is ever?).

If you're not at a target school, you're starting from a massive disadvantage.

And the timing couldn't be worse for new grads.

The unemployment rate for "new entrants" (recent college grads trying to break into the full-time workforce) hit a nine-year peak in 2025, according to federal data analyzed by the Burning Glass Institute.

For the first time in modern history, bachelor's degree holders ages 20-24 are experiencing unemployment rates closer to those of those with only a high school diploma. The gap between the two groups is the smallest it's been since at least the early 2000s.

One think tank called the U.S. "no country for young grads." It is pretty bleak right now.

I get some of this.

I did campus recruiting as a recruiter. When companies want in-person work, recruiting close to the corporate office makes sense. Fewer companies are willing to pay to relocate.

Plus, when you focus on fewer schools, you can build deeper relationships. You're not spread so thin.

What this means for students:
If you don't attend an elite university or a school near a major corporate hub, one expert put it bluntly: "God help you."

His advice? Referrals, LinkedIn, and networking (always best practice). Because traditional campus recruiting won't reach you.

The doors that opened during the hot job market are closing again.

And I haven't seen any data showing that this narrower approach is actually producing better hires. 

Mid-career professionals: If you have a college student or recent grad in your life, what's one concrete thing you're doing to help them navigate this? Referrals? LinkedIn coaching? Honest talk about what schools/locations actually matter now?

Sources: Wall Street Journal (January 2026), CNBC analysis of Burning Glass Institute data (October 2025).

Purple background featuring 'MONDAY NUMBER' text in tan/beige lettering with '26%' written in white handwritten style below. Shelley Piedmont, wearing a burgundy sweater, has her hand cupped to her ear in a listening gesture. Website URL www.mycareergps.com appears at the bottom. This is Shelley Piedmont's Monday Number post about the percentage of companies exclusively recruiting from a shortlist of elite schools, showing how campus hiring has narrowed and is affecting college graduates' job prospects.

Is a traditional full-time job search actually holding you back from the work you love?

When mid-career professionals think about career success, they've been trained to look for a seat at one table. But for many, that model no longer works for them.

If you’re frustrated by long hiring cycles or looking for more variety in your day-to-day work, you might not have considered a path many of your peers are already taking: The Fractional Shift.

This isn't just about a filler job until you can find a permanent home. It’s about building a 'Portfolio Career' where you: 

✓ Solve diverse, high-stakes problems across different industries. 
✓ Regain autonomy over your schedule and who you work with. 
✓ Get paid well for your expertise and are respected.

Instead of waiting for one company to say "yes," imagine multiple companies saying "yes" to your problem-solving abilities.

I’ve broken down why this might be the right path for you and what you need to know.

Many of you are stymied in a full-time search because you are selling time when we should be selling results. For my fractional pros: what was the most challenging part of that mindset shift? 

---
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes instead of exhausts you.
♻️ Resonated with you? Your repost could help someone else, too
🔔 Follow + ring the bell for weekly career reality checks
🟪 Questions about your next move? I'm here to help. Ask below or DM me

Fractional Work For Mid-Career Professionals

Are you in the mid-career gray area?

You know, where you feel the following:

You’re good at your job, but not "lit up" by it.
You’re respected, but they won't move on your best ideas.
You’re wondering if a new title, industry, or career is the answer. 

It is not that you are miserable, dreading every workday. It is more that you are feeling underutilized.

This was my conversation with "Michael" yesterday. He has a lot of ideas about what else he could do, but he can't pinpoint one and say that it is it.

"Michael" is not alone. Many of you have that "January itch." You want 2026 to be the year that you find something more fulfilling, but don't know what that is.

Well, what are you going to do about it? Keep thinking and thinking, but not making any progress?

Or are you going to take constructive steps like "Michael" and get support?

You can end 2026 the same way you ended 2025, or you can do something different—your choice.

If you want help to get career clarity, DM me (it is always free). I'd love to make your 2026 one of your best years.

"Why should we hire you?" 

Many of you are getting this interview question wrong.

You think, "I'll tell them I am a great problem solver or build strong relationships. That's what they want to hear, right?

Well, sort of.

Saying that makes you sound like everyone else. Getting an offer is not about being like everyone else; it is about showing you're uniquely qualified for the role.

You have to provide this proof.

Instead of: "I'm great at problem solving." Try: "I reduced customer complaints by 40% in six months by creating a new tracking system that caught issues before they sidetracked us."

Instead of: "I'm a team player." Try: "I started weekly cross-department check-ins at my last job. Within three months, we saw project delays drop by 25%, and it increased morale."

Also, when answering this question, don't forget to talk about your cultural fit.

You are hired not only because you can do the job, but also because you fit in with the culture.

For example, I worked at an organization that used a repeatable scaling process. When interviewing candidates, I enjoyed hearing about their comfort level and preference for our business approach. I knew they could work within our way of doing business.

So, here is a cheat sheet on how to answer this question.

Before your next interview, write down three specific examples:
—A problem you solved (with numbers)
—A time you improved something (with results)
—How you embody their company values (with a story)

Skip the buzzwords. 
Give them the evidence. 

That's how you stand out when everyone else is giving the same generic answers.

Need help with your interview prep? DM me (always free).

----------
💜 Helping mid-career professionals find clarity, build confidence, and land jobs they love.
📖 Follow me for career tips, job search strategies, and interview advice.
💌 Need support in your career journey? Reach out—I’m here to help!

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The Battle

Craig Davis

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreCraig Davis's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Craig Davis

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Craig Davis's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreCraig Davis's LinkedIn Performance