Bureau, Bombshell and Business Woman: Joanna Riley Weidenmiller Does It All

Written by Caroline Huftalen Tuesday, November 13 2012

Snapshot: Joanna Riley Weidenmiller, CEO of 1-Page Job Proposal
San Francisco’s Joanna Riley Weidenmiller is one of those women who has successfully jumped from one exciting career to the next. From working with the FBI to being a cover girl, she has done it all on an international level. Her more recent venture, 1-Page Job Proposal gives job seekers the tools they need to be able to do the same in their own career paths. She has taken the normal job search criteria – resumes, cover letters – and created a source that can take that same information but present it in a way that makes a potential employee much more viable in the market.

Below she talks about her career, what influenced her and how 1-Page Job Proposal is changing the way job seekers get hired.

Womenetics: Your newest venture 1-Page Job Proposal goes beyond the usual resume. How does it work and why do you think it is so beneficial in today’s job market?
Joanna Riley Weidenmiller: Innovation is key to the job seeker. It is the currency to Burberry, Facebook, Pinterest, etc., and that is what we are striving for. 

Our approach allows the candidate to identify and address a need in the company they are interested in, then provide their own, unique solution without any bias towards your age, references, experience or background. 

A 1-Page Job Proposal presents the candidate's ability to innovate, execute, problem solve, adapt, think critically and be resourceful all in a single page. By creating a 1-Page Job Proposal, they can establish themselves effectively to land their target job quickly and successfully by pitching their ideas and values beyond a resume. 

Womenetics: What are the top three things that a job seeker can do with a tool like 1-Page Job Proposal?
Weidenmiller:  You can use it to replace a cover letter, hand it directly to an employer or hiring manager (in-person opportunity), and pitch skills as a free agent where there is no -re-existing call for applicants.

Womenetics: You have gone from athlete to the FBI to model, and that is just to name a few of your occupations. What has affected your career path?
Weidenmiller: My parents taught me the secret I have used my whole life    "If you are going to do something, do it 100 percent because that is the only way you are going to really know what you are naturally good at and what you love." I have never done anything without keeping this in mind. I have both failed and won, and I have worked hard in both situations, but I have learned through them exactly what I’m meant to do.

Each point in my career path has further developed my capabilities and each has taught me valuable lessons.  The combination of these two has led to my success today. I am continually searching for the lessons in life. I have found challenges are life's greatest lessons, so I am always taking on new challenges and opportunities.

When I was a kid all I wanted to be was a hero, and I believed that was my calling. When I was recruited to the Bureau, I thought that was what I was meant to do. While in the Bureau, I was exposed to new worlds, cultures and training, which has helped me as an international entrepreneur. But I quickly realized the structure of the Bureau wasn’t for me. I was an athlete    I went to University of Virginia as a full scholarship rower, and that is where I found I thrive in performance-based structures.

My eclectic background helped give me a different perspective and perseverance that is needed in a start-up environment. Running 1-Page each day is a continual challenge and opportunity.

Womenetics: You are no stranger to working internationally. How has this experience changed your perspective on business and marketing efforts?
Weidenmiller: I’ve learned that true talent, when understood, can be applied across industry. Opportunities are presented everywhere. This is what I tell new entrepreneurs and candidates looking for jobs    look for the opportunities and present yourself as a problem solver; be the solution.

Traveling internationally has put my life in perspective. It has shown me other people’s situations, whether it is extreme poverty or extreme wealth. I have come to learn that it is my obligation to exploit the innate/character/natural talents/gifts I was given as best as possible.

As I’ve gone and built my own company, I have looked to build a solution that is global, answering a global challenge. To do this, I must continue to seek information.

More multi-talented women:

First an accountant, now the owner of the Warrior Group construction company (one of the largest women/minority-owned general contracting firms in the country), Gail Warrior is also a former body builder. 

Susie Coehlo's career has been varied, to say the least.  First a model, then a restaurateur and retail entrepreneur, Coehlo has made her mark as a lifestyle guru and HGTV host.

Though she enjoyed successful stints in banking, consulting and real estate, Karen Chung is now pursuing social entrepreneurship with her company Special Learning, which provides Autism training, education and resources.

Caroline Huftalen received her bachelor's of arts in theater and English with a concentration in journalism from the University at Buffalo. She is currently a writing master's of fine arts candidate at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her previous publications include USA Today College, Buffalo Spree Magazine, BurnAway and the podcast series Quilt Stories.