Jimmy Lee Langhoff and A Queen’s Conversation
Long before RISE had a name, Jimmy Lee Langhoff’s work through A Queen’s Conversation showed how powerful a prepared conversation can be. His clients describe interview coaching that helped them find their voice, understand their why, receive direct feedback, and practice before a high-pressure room.
RISE carries that lesson forward in a different setting. The point is not to claim someone else’s results. The point is to honor a community example that helped shape the belief behind RISE: confidence grows when people are challenged, encouraged, prepared, and seen.
What Jimmy’s clients say about his coaching
Kimberly Stommes said Jimmy helped her “find YOU” and “effectively convey your best self” in the interview process.
Elle Smith described coaching that “gave it to me straight” with “constructive feedback” tailored to her personality and strengths.
Allison Cook pointed to an “in-person panel mock interview” and said Jimmy’s interview approach helped her “communicate more effectively.”
What the evidence shows.
Across multiple populations and service settings, structured job-search support is most useful when it combines practical skills, self-presentation, individualized feedback, clear goals, and social support. That evidence informs the RISE model; it is not RISE outcome data.
Higher odds of obtaining employment
A meta-analysis of 47 experimental and quasi-experimental job-search interventions found substantially higher employment odds for participants. Stronger programs combined skills, self-presentation, self-efficacy, proactivity, goals, and social support.
Liu, Huang, and Wang meta-analysisLearning-focused workshops can change behavior
One randomized workshop study reported a 22-percentage-point reemployment difference after eight weeks and stronger job-search intentions and behavior. The Department of Labor rates the specific reemployment comparison as low-confidence because of follow-up attrition.
U.S. DOL CLEAR study profileIntensive workforce services increased earnings
In the national WIA Gold Standard Evaluation, customers offered core plus intensive services earned $7,133 more over 30 months than customers offered core services alone. Employment at quarter 10 was 79% versus 75%.
U.S. Department of Labor evaluationStructured interview practice improved employment
A randomized trial of virtual interview training for autistic transition-age youth found participants significantly more likely to be employed six months later. CLEAR rates the causal evidence high, while noting the small, specific study population.
U.S. DOL CLEAR study profileInterview rehearsal showed promise
In a small randomized trial involving job seekers with substance-use disorders, 78.6% of virtual interview trainees attained a competitive or volunteer position within six months, compared with 44.4% receiving usual services.
Peer-reviewed randomized trialPractice also mattered in reentry services
A 2025 randomized trial found that adding virtual job-interview training to prison employment services increased the odds of employment within six months and shortened time to employment. Results apply to that reentry setting and should not be generalized automatically.
National Institute of Justice summary