Work with Me
Work With Saswata Ray, PhD
You’ve read the journey. Now experience the transformation.

Saswata Ray, PhD, is not just an author—he is a battle-tested career strategist, mentor, and consultant who has walked through the fire of redundancy and rebuilt his professional life from the ground up. With over 15 years of cross-industry experience across India and New Zealand, he brings a unique blend of practical wisdom, academic rigour, and emotional intelligence to every engagement.

Whether you are navigating job loss, preparing for your next career move, or looking to inspire your team, Saswata offers a range of services designed to help you thrive in the modern professional landscape.

Career Coaching & Job Search Strategy
“I lost my job for the first time in 15 years—and I documented every step so you don’t have to struggle alone.”
What You Get:
  • One-on-one coaching sessions to navigate redundancy and career transitions.
  • A personalised action plan based on the Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-Term Strategy
  • Emotional resilience coaching to help you navigate the grief of job loss.
  • Practical guidance on setting realistic goals and staying motivated.

 

Best For: Professionals facing redundancy, career changers, and anyone feeling stuck in their job search.

CV, Cover Letter & LinkedIn Overhaul
“Your CV opens the door. Your digital presence shapes the first impression.”
What You Get:
  • Comprehensive CV review and restructuring for ATS optimisation.
  • Tailored cover letters—Traditional, Short-Form, or Competency Document.
  • LinkedIn profile optimisation to make you findable, not just loud.
  • Strategic “Core Competencies” section to pass machine screening.
  • A “Competency Document” for government or regulated roles.

 

Best For: Job seekers who want to stand out in a crowded market, professionals applying for senior roles, and those targeting government or large organisations.

Interview Preparation & Mock Interviews
“Interviews aren’t tests—they’re conversations about value.”
What You Get:
  • Mock interviews tailored to your target role (Phone, Video, In-Person).
  • Training on the STAR Method(Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  • Strategies for handling tough questions, rejection, and final-stage interviews.
  • Guidance on “reading the room” and building rapport with interviewers.
  • Preparation for AI-powered video interviews(HireVue, etc.).

 

Best For: Professionals at any career stage preparing for high-stakes interviews.

Networking Strategy (Digital & In-Person)
“Your acquaintances are often more valuable than your close friends for finding new opportunities.”
What You Get:
  • Strategies for building meaningful connections on LinkedIn.
  • Personalised networking plans for introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts.
  • Guidance on attending industry events, meetups, and conferences.
  • Best practices for engaging with recruiters and recruitment agencies.
  • Tactics for leveraging the “Strength of Weak Ties”to access the hidden job market.

 

Best For: Job seekers who want to expand their professional network and access unadvertised opportunities.

AI-Powered Job Application Workshops
“The paradox of I and AI: Optimise the output, protect your soul.”
What You Get:
  • Training on using ChatGPT, Claude, and other generative AI tools for job applications.
  • Prompt engineeringtechniques to get high-quality, tailored outputs.
  • Understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)work and how to beat them.
  • Guidance on maintaining your authentic voicewhen using AI.
  • Awareness of AI in recruitment (HireVue, personality assessments).

 

Best For: Tech-savvy professionals, job seekers wanting to optimise their applications, and anyone navigating AI-driven recruitment.

Keynote Speaking & Corporate Workshops
“Resilience isn’t built in the calm—it’s forged in the freeze.”
What You Get:
  • Inspiring keynotes on resilience, career transitions, and the modern job market.
  • Workshops on CV writing, networking, AI in recruitment, and personal branding.
  • Tailored content for corporates, universities, professional associations, and career fairs.
  • Honest, engaging storytelling backed by lived experience and a PhD.

 

Best For: Organisations looking to inspire employees, support laid-off staff, or provide career development programmes.

Project Management & Business Analysis Consulting
“15+ years of delivering complex projects in regulated environments.”
What You Get:
  • Programme initiation, planning, and governance.
  • Stakeholder engagement and change management.
  • Delivery of complex clinical, technical, or policy-driven programmes.
  • Business analysis, process improvement, and digital transformation.
  • PRINCE2 certified project management.

 

Best For: Healthcare, government, transport, and technology organisations.

Memoir Writing & Personal Branding Coaching
“Your story is your superpower. Let me help you tell it.”
What You Get:
  • Coaching to help you write your own memoir, thought leadership, or personal narrative.
  • Personal branding strategy for executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
  • LinkedIn “About” section writing and storytelling guidance.
  • Frameworks for sharing your journey authentically and professionally.

 

Best For: Executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to build their personal brand or share their story.

Mentorship & Advisory
“I had mentors who believed in me. Now I believe in you.”
What You Get:
  • Mentorship for early-career professionals, migrants, and PhDs transitioning to industry.
  • Advisory on career strategy, goal setting, and navigating professional uncertainty.
  • A safe space to share struggles and receive honest, compassionate guidance.

 

Best For: Recent graduates, migrants, early-career professionals, and anyone navigating a new industry or country.

Creative Services (Music & Songwriting)
“Music saved me in more ways than I can explain.”
What You Get:
  • Songwriting coaching and creative workshops.
  • Music production and composition for personal or corporate projects.
  • Inspiration and guidance for creative professionals.

 

Best For: Creative professionals, organisations seeking unique musical content, and anyone exploring their creative side.

Why Choose Saswata Ray, PhD?
Quality
What It Means For You
15+ Years of Experience
Real-world project management, business analysis, and cross-industry expertise.
PhD from University of Auckland
Academic rigour, research-backed insights, and analytical depth.
Lived Experience
Walked through redundancy and emerged stronger—he gets it.
Practical Playbook
Every strategy is battle-tested and documented.
Global Perspective
Worked across India and New Zealand—understands diverse markets.
Authentic & Human
No corporate jargon. Just honest, compassionate, and actionable guidance.