Testimonials

“I highly recommend Simon as an interview coach. His ability to make clients feel at ease and boost their confidence is exceptional. His extensive knowledge of interview techniques and personalized coaching significantly improved my interview skills. Thanks to his guidance, I felt well-prepared and confident, leading to successful outcomes. Simon's professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for his clients make him an outstanding coach.”

Jeanette Loubeyre - Foreign Service Officer, Government of Canada

“Simon started coaching me just as I stepped into a leadership role with IFRC. At the time, I was struggling with imposter syndrome, questioning whether I was truly ready for the challenges ahead. His coaching has been truly transformative - not just in helping me navigate leadership challenges, but in reshaping how I think, make decisions, and lead with purpose.

What makes Simon’s approach so impactful is that he doesn’t impose or judge. Instead, he listens deeply, asks thought-provoking questions, and challenges me to see things from new perspectives. Rather than giving answers, he empowers me to find my own. Through this, I’ve gained clarity, regained confidence, and learned to focus my energy on what truly matters. His guidance has helped me realign my leadership with my values and purpose.

More than just a coach, Simon has created a space where I can reflect, grow, and step into my leadership with confidence. His support has been invaluable, and I’m incredibly grateful for the impact he’s had on my journey.”

Senior Leader, International Federation for the Red Cross

“After weeks of feeling lost and helpless following my furlough and the impact of funding cuts on my career, I had a session with Simon that completely shifted my perspective. In just one conversation, he helped me reframe my situation—not as a setback, but as an opportunity to reset, aim higher, and take meaningful action toward my dream job and career. His guidance was empowering, and genuine. I left the session feeling not only more ambitious, but excited for what lies ahead for me. I’m incredibly grateful for Simon’s support and would highly recommend him to anyone navigating career uncertainty.” 

Nil, Humanitarian Professional

“I got in touch with Simon to help me prepare for upcoming interviews - I was worried that my nerves would lead me to ramble. I needed help selecting strong examples of my past experience and the confidence to stop speaking once I had answered the question. My sessions with Simon were all structured around mock interviews. First, we identified a handful of anecdotes I could use and adapt to respond to different questions. Then we practiced - a lot. Simon's feedback on my responses was incredibly helpful - his feedback was always constructive and encouraging. He built my confidence and made sure I was well prepared for each of my interviews. Simon gave me the confidence to go into the interviews and just be myself. I felt confident, well prepared, and relaxed. I actually enjoyed each interview! I interviewed for three roles and was offered two senior leadership roles at international organizations. I strongly recommend working with Simon to prepare for your next interview and have referred multiple people to him since.”

Country Director, INGO, Asia

“Simon came recommended by a close friend and was a massive help in my final preparations for a big job interview. I had all my answers ready, but was really suffering from a lack of focus on how best to present myself. In short, I was very stressed and feeling under tremendous pressure not only to land the job, but also struggling with how to present the best version of myself. 

Simon was a tremendously calming hand at the tiller. He gathered all my key information - job description, CV/resume etc - and boiled it down to three killer points for me to deliver, laying out my experience and motivation. Together we drew up a brilliant game plan, which helped me focus, so by the time the interview day arrived, I was very comfortable knowing what I wanted to say and how to deliver it. 

I was actually looking forward to - rather than dreading - the interview. For me, that was huge. I landed the job after Simon’s coaching took me to the next level, putting me in exactly the confident headspace I needed. His guidance was priceless.”

R James, International PR manager

“I had the privilege of working with Simon while applying for the National CWG Coordinator position in the oPt, and his coaching was truly transformative. Before working with him, I struggled to structure my interview responses effectively. I had valuable experience and strong qualifications, yet my answers often failed to clearly showcase my strengths, expertise, and suitability for the role.

Through Simon’s coaching, I learned how to strategically apply the STAR method, tailor my responses to key competencies, and communicate my value with clarity and confidence. His guidance not only enhanced my interview performance but also empowered me during salary negotiations. Thanks to his support, I was successfully appointed to the position.

I highly recommend Simon’s coaching to anyone looking to master the art of interviews and position themselves as top candidates. His expertise is a game-changer for career advancement.”

Lama Murra, National Cash Working Group (CWG) Coordinator, SCI oPt

“Working with Simon was an amazing experience! He opened my eyes to new career possibilities, and his warm and supportive approach really helped me feel confident about exploring a different field. His ideas were both inspiring and practical, but what I loved most was how he encouraged me to discover my own answers. Simon took the time to really listen and understand what I needed, and he was right there with me every step of the way. I never felt like I was going through this alone—I always felt supported, challenged (in a good way!), and motivated to grow. I’m truly thankful for all of his guidance!”

Gabriela, entrepreneur and communications professional

“Before working with Mr Simon, I struggled with structuring my responses in UN interviews. I often felt unprepared and unsure how to showcase my experience effectively. Through targeted coaching, I learned how to use the STAR method and tailor my answers to UN competencies. After just a few sessions, my confidence improved dramatically, and I successfully secured a position in WFP. I highly recommend this coaching for anyone navigating UN recruitment!"

Khin Swe, Programme Associate, WFP

"I had the pleasure of working with Simon Hacker during our time at WFP’s Syria operations, where he was a truly supportive and well-respected supervisor. I consistently heard nothing but positive feedback from colleagues about his leadership style and ability to bring out the best in people.

When I came across his recent announcement about transitioning into career coaching, I thought, “What a spot-on choice!” Naturally, I reached out to him for support while preparing for an interview for a Professional-level position in the UN system. His deep expertise in the UN common system and his strong grasp of competency-based interview techniques helped me tremendously. Not only did he guide me in structuring my responses effectively, but his intuition also nailed the exact types of questions I ended up being asked.

Thanks to his insightful coaching and tailored guidance, I walked into that interview confident and well-prepared—and delivered a successful performance. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone navigating their next career move, especially within the international development and humanitarian sector.”

Alev, Certified HR Professional

“Before working with Simon, I struggled with interview preparation. Despite being technically strong and meeting all the job requirements, I didn’t know how to structure my answers, what to focus on, or how to practice effectively. The uncertainty created stress, which affected my confidence and performance during interviews.

Through coaching, Simon broke the interview process down into clear, manageable steps. He introduced me to the STAR method, helping me organize my answers and present my experience with clarity. The honest feedback, structured approach, and encouragement I received were truly invaluable.

The first session was a wake-up call—I realized I should have done this long ago! Now, I approach interviews with confidence rather than stress. While I’m still awaiting my results, I know I delivered one of my best interviews ever. Coaching with Simon is highly recommended!”

Antoine Bahri, Logistics Associate - Operations, WFP

“Before working with Simon, I was struggling to clearly understand what was expected in UN competency-based interviews, how to prepare strategically, and how to communicate with confidence. During our coaching sessions, Simon helped me develop a structured and effective preparation method tailored to the UN interview process, and we focused on communicating in a clear, engaging, and concise way. As a result, I’ve been successful in two recent interviews at the UN P3 level that I prepared for with Simon’s support.”

Deborah, Peace-building Professional

“Before working with Simon, I struggled to articulate my experience effectively during interviews. I often found it challenging to connect my skills and past experiences to the questions being asked. During our mock interviews, Simon showed me how to identify the key points to focus on, and craft clear, structured responses using the STAR method. Moreover, he taught me how to connect my field experiences to concrete examples, which made my answers more compelling and relevant. His experience and analytical abilities allow him to identify the puff-points of the job description and prepare the expected questions for the roles which ensures I am one step ahead. Thanks to Simon, I feel more confident and well-prepared for any interview. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their interview skills.”

Amr Mahmoud, Humanitarian Professional

There are rare individuals whose presence alone brings clarity—and Simon is one of them. Before coaching with Simon, I felt stuck—uncertain of my direction, disconnected from my confidence, and questioning whether I was truly making the right career moves. I had the experience, the ambition, and the drive, but I struggled with self-doubt, wondering if I was enough and if I was truly stepping into my potential.

Simon’s coaching was a turning point. He doesn’t offer quick fixes —he listens deeply, asks the kind of thought-provoking questions that challenge your assumptions, and helps you uncover the clarity that’s already within you. Instead of telling me what to do, he empowered me to trust myself, see my strengths clearly, and make decisions that align with who I truly am.

Through our work together, I rebuilt my confidence—not in a superficial way, but in a way that felt deeply rooted. I no longer second-guess my worth. I no longer feel like I have to prove myself. I’ve gained the clarity to navigate my career with purpose, the self-belief to show up powerfully in high-stakes situations, and the ability to advocate for myself without hesitation.

Simon’s coaching has not only helped me grow in my career but has reshaped how I see myself and what I’m capable of achieving. If you’re feeling stuck, doubting yourself, or searching for a deeper sense of clarity and alignment, working with Simon will change everything. His coaching is truly transformational.

Sarah, Humanitarian Professional

“I had the privilege of working under Simon during my first two years at the United Nations World Food Programme, and whatever I have achieved today is a direct result of his mentorship.

What set Simon apart was his genuine commitment to my growth. He encouraged me to develop key skills like communication, interpersonal relations, and the right attitude, which have shaped my career. He truly cared about my success, not just in the role, but in my overall development. I saw this same commitment in him for everyone he worked with—not just for me, but for all his team members. And I’ll never forget the smile or sense of satisfaction he showed whenever I achieved something big, a clear sign of how invested he was in our success.

Even after Simon left WFP, he continued to mentor and guide me, showing me not just how to progress, but the path to get there. His leadership and mentorship have had a lasting impact on my career, and I’m incredibly grateful for his support.”

Ali, logistics professional