NAVID ESKANDAR (LADDERLY)

Alumni-Owned Business Feature: Ladderly
Career coaching that actually gets you hired

When looking into career coaching options, you are likely to wonder: “Will I get a tangible result out of it?” Most career coaches have never sat in a hiring room at a top company. This is where Ladderly closes the gap.

Ladderly delivers direct, no-fluff coaching built on real insider knowledge - how elite tech, consulting, and finance firms actually make hiring decisions, what separates the offer from the rejection, and exactly what you need to do about it.

We talked to Ladderly’s founder, Navid Eskandar, ’16 BSc(CivEng), to learn more about how his business started.

What inspired you to start your business?

Ladderly started almost by accident. I posted on LinkedIn offering to review resumes, cover letters, and university applications for friends as a way to give back. I expected a few messages. Instead, I was flooded with requests, far more than I could handle.

What stood out was the pattern. The people reaching out were talented and hardworking, but many had never been taught how to clearly communicate their achievements or tell their story in a way that resonated with decision-makers. They weren't lacking ability; they were lacking the insider knowledge that some candidates get from well-connected mentors, elite networks, or simply knowing the right people.
A small amount of direct, honest coaching changed that. It led to interviews, offers, and opportunities they hadn't thought were possible.

That experience revealed a real gap in the market. Quality career coaching has historically been expensive, inconsistent, or inaccessible to people who didn't already have the right connections. Ladderly was built to change that, to give driven professionals the same calibre of frank, tactical guidance that top candidates have always had access to.

How did your time at the University of Alberta influence your career path and decision to start this business?

Engineering at the University of Alberta was genuinely hard. The kind where you realize pretty quickly you're not making it through alone.

What got most of us through was each other. Classmates explaining the same concept for the third time without complaint, sharing notes at midnight, and dragging each other across the finish line of exams that felt impossible.

The impact one person could have on you in those moments was huge. A single conversation could completely shift your outlook. That never left me. I think about those people a lot. And it's shaped how I try to show up for others. The idea that one honest, well-timed push can unlock something in someone is what Ladderly is built on.

What is one interesting or unique fact about you business?

One thing that surprises people about Ladderly is the range. Over 1,800 people supported across six continents. We've coached C-suite executives and people trying to become firefighters and train conductors. New grads sending out their first CV. Seasoned professionals who've hit an unexpected wall.

We've partnered with Yale, London Business School, and the University of Alberta. We've landed people at Google, McKinsey, JP Morgan Chase, Shell – pretty much every major company you can think of, globally. We've seen it all.

What makes your business stand out?

Most career coaching is expensive, vague, and frankly, a waste of time. Candidates leave feeling inspired, write the same mediocre CV, and wonder why nobody calls back.

We tell people exactly what's wrong, exactly how to fix it, and exactly what a hiring manager at a top firm is actually looking for. No filler. No feel-good frameworks. Just brutally honest, actionable coaching that gets people hired.

Check out this Exclusive Alumni Perk!

Ladderly is pleased to offer subsidized pricing exclusively for U of A graduates. Our one-on-one advising model provides alumni with a clear, actionable roadmap to navigate the modern job market with confidence. Each session is uniquely tailored to your individual career trajectory and target industry.

Limited Spots for Subsidized Pricing:
Targeted Career Advising - $25 (regular value of $120)
Resume & Cover Letter Advising - $45 (regular value of $180)
Resume, Cover Letter & LinkedIn Advising - $55 (regular value of $250)
Find out more: https://ualberta.alumni-perks.com/perks/ladderly-special-offer

There are limited spots for this exclusive subsidized pricing, but alumni are also eligible for 20% off Ladderly's career coaching and resume writing services. Must show your ALUMNIcard, use ualberta email address, or provide alternate proof of University of Alberta alumni status.


This spotlight is sponsored by our affinity program partner TD Insurance. With TD Insurance, you get the protection you need for your small business. From the building itself, to what’s inside, safeguard your assets through commercial property insurance. As a grad of the University of Alberta, you're eligible for a group discount on business insurance.