Forensic Hiring for a Digital World
Bot Buddies
I prompted Firefly, a Bot Buddy, to build me a businessman in a captain's hat at the helm of his sailboat. I asked that he include a cute little happy BOT built into the wheel in his own sailor hat. Firefly nailed it in one try. The takeaway is pretty obvious. The man is in control of his path, but he holds the Bots hands to assist that path.
This is the Trace Philosophy
- The Machine Handles the Grind: I use a preferred dossier; one I created and one a CEO really wants to see.
- The Human Provides the Soul: You are the captain. Your years of experience—your Crystallized Intelligence—is what decides where the ship is going and why it matters.
- The Integrity Audit: In my own journey building this site, I caught the "Sailor" (the AI) trying to exaggerate my career. It tried to say I designed systems I only managed. I had to step in, put my hand on the wheel, and steer back to the Raw Truth. AI read its own batter, not what actually matters.
- I put my own resume to the test. I actually paid for a resume builder APP to make my resume better. It filled it with more fluff. Trace is skipping the ghosting, skipping the keyword fails and the Bot hallucinations. Let me walk you through how working with Trace Solutions really works. Full transparency with you in control all the way.
The Trace Solutions Method: Forensic Hiring for a Digital World
Trace Solutions is a human-powered recruitment and consultancy bridge designed to beat the bots at their own game. We bypass broken Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by replacing flimsy resumes with Trace-Verified Dossiers, ensuring that every candidate is vetted through one-on-one human interaction before they ever reach a CEO’s desk.
My Approach:
- The SME Talent Bowl (50+ Experts): We curate a workforce of seasoned Subject Matter Experts and 50+ professionals ready for full-time roles, part-time "firefighting," or filling critical leadership gaps.
- The Job Seeker Dossier: We work with talent of all ages who are tired of the resume game. We transform their resume into a proprietary Dossier—a bot-proof, forensic document that the candidate reviews and approves themselves and signs off on in our 1 on 1 meetings first.
The CEO Solution:
We don’t just hand over a name; we solve the problem. When a CEO faces a challenge, we recommend a high-level SME to step in immediately. Along with that expert, we offer a vetted Seeker to shadow them, creating a seamless hand-off where the new hire is trained on-the-job by a master of the craft.
Trace Solutions is slower by design because we are forensic from "Jump Street." We go around the bots to ensure you score the touchdown every single time.
the dossier
Below is my Personal Resume | Built Better by Batter and $25.00
KATHY ELLIS
Phone eMail Links
SUMMARY
As a dynamic entrepreneurial leader with over 15 years of experience in remote environments, I drive business growth by leveraging strategic planning and advanced technology. At eSkillz, I spearheaded initiatives that significantly boosted customer satisfaction, service quality, and operational efficiency through effective project coordination and team leadership. My expertise includes implementing innovative support protocols and using tools like AI, SEO, and the Adobe Creative Suite to optimize strategy and build compelling brand assets. I successfully developed and launched key programs, including a global communication system that improved collaboration and an employee recognition program that enhanced team morale and retention. I consistently apply a blend of creative, big picture thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify new opportunities and deliver measurable results.
SKILLS
Core Competencies: Service Excellence, Organizational Time Strategies, Comprehensive Documentation, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Performance Assessment, Problem Resolution
Technical Skills: Microsoft 365, Teams, OneDrive, Adobe Suite Pro, Google Analytics, Google AdSense, AI, Semrush, CRM, Harvest, Teamwork, Salesforce, Loom, Canva, Windows IT, Paint Shop Pro, Acrobat, Zoom, Captivate, Storyboard,
Remote Work: 15+ years of experience in remote environments
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MANAGER LIVE SUPPORT SERVICES/IT TECH | eSkillz, Remote 04/2010 to 06/2023
· Maintained high standards of service delivery by ensuring a 24/7/365 live support team consistently met company mission and client needs.
· Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly and maintaining open communication. Maximize team performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
· Coordinated with the IT department to upgrade technology infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and data security.
· Improved customer satisfaction scores by overhauling customer service protocols and training staff in new engagement techniques.
· Boosted employee morale and reduced turnover through the development and implementation of a comprehensive rewards and recognition program.
· Implemented customer feedback mechanisms to gather insights, which guided strategic planning and decision-making.
· Established clear targets and objectives for the team and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIST I | 123 Loan, Aliso Viejo, California 01/2007 to 03/2009
· Established a culture of continuous learning and professional development, enhancing overall skills and capabilities within the technology team.
· Streamlined workflow efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and improving overall processes.
· Designed user-friendly interfaces for critical internal tools, improving productivity.
· Coordinated with international teams to ensure seamless integration of global systems.
· Conducted in-depth research to stay ahead of technological trends, ensuring a competitive advantage.
· Facilitated cross-departmental workshops to foster innovation and share technical knowledge.
· Attended training committees that developed training modules for equipment operation and testing.
· Trained new system users and employees in classroom-style sessions to promote useful system knowledge and operational expertise.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR | BAX Global, Irvine, California 12/1993 to 05/2005
· Served as an Administrative Assistant for the Training and Development Department, reporting directly to the department head.
· Ran reports for all aspects of the department to support meetings, client interfaces, and company-wide support.
· Set up meeting rooms to handle technical needs during calls.
· Became a full-time instructor for both in-person and web-based training, leading to a promotion within the company.
EDUCATION
Marine Biology | Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California
Hard Hat Med Tech Diving | College of Oceaneering, Wilmington, California
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Certifications: Semrush, Train-The-Trainer, Teamwork, Google AI Essentials
Google Courses (Coursera): Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce (Grade: 87.95%)
From Likes to Lead: Interact with Customers Online (Grade: 90%)
Think Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing (Grade: 91%)
Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing (Grade: 88.75%)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Acrobat PDF, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, Adobe Suite Pro, AI, Canva, Captivate, ChatGPT, Comprehensive Documentation, CoPilot, CRM, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Dreamweaver, Go Daddy, Google AdSense, Google Analytics, Google Drive, Google Gemini, Grammarly, Harvest, Loom, Mail Chimp, Microsoft 365, Midjourney, OneDrive, Organizational Time Strategies, Paint Shop Pro, Performance Assessment, Perplexity AI, Problem Resolution, Salesforce, Semrush, Service Excellence, SnagIt, Storyboard, Teams, Teamwork, Windows IT, Zoom
Resume Becomes Dossier for Review with Job Seekers Human to Human
The New Trace Dossier: Kathy Ellis
Status: Human-Not-Bot | Specialty: Fractional Ops & Remote Logistics
The Executive Summary: The Trace Take
I don't just manage remote teams; I helped build the world they live in. A 15-year remote operations pioneer with a background in high-pressure environments—from medical tech diving school to global IT infrastructure. I specialize in turning SME knowledge into training and development and LMS havens. I hold customer service in high respect with efficiency to global organizations.
The 9-Degree Tremors: Core Wisdom
- Operational Resilience: Managed 24/7/365 live support for 13 years with clarity and calm.
- The "Human Pilot": Expert at weaving AI (Adobe, Gemini, Firefly) into existing team workflows to reclaim lost hours.
- Crystallized Intelligence: Decades of experience transitioning companies from in-person to remote-first ecosystems.
Professional History: The Track Record
FRACTIONAL OPS & IT TECH | eSkillz (Remote) 2010 — 2023
- The Problem: Scaling global support without losing the human touch.
- The Solution: Using a 24/7/365 "Human-In-The-Loop" support system. I overhauled protocols that didn't just boost "scores," but restored client trust and team morale.
- The Impact: Reduced turnover by creating a fun reward system for all employees
PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIST | 123 Loan 2007 — 2009
- The Problem: Repetitive task fatigue in high-volume lending. Training all employee on 123Loan skills and software.
- The Solution: Created training manuals, course and live sessions so the team could do the "thinking." Worked 1 on 1 with key level SMEs to solve new hire training.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR | BAX Global 1993 — 2005
- The Impact: Spent over a decade in the trenches of corporate training, translating complex technical systems into "Human-Speak" for global teams.
The Digital Toolbelt: Standardized for 2026
- The Writing Hammer: ChatGPT, Claude, Grammarly, Perplexity Pro.
- The Visual Hammer: Adobe Creative Suite, Firefly, Midjourney, Canva.
- The Ecosystem: Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Teams, Slack, CRM management.
- The Learning Curve: Google AI Essentials, Semrush, SEO Forensic Auditing.
Education & Grit
- Hard Hat Med Tech Diving: College of Oceaneering. (Proof of performance under extreme pressure).
- Marine Biology Studies: Orange Coast College.
TAMING AI
When I asked the AI to build my Dossier, it of course got excited and read it as Bot Batter. It lied and said I 'Designed' the eSkillz system. I didn't. I scaled it and protected it. If I had left that 'AI Lie' in there, I’d be a fraud. I told Gemini what it did wrong and said I need you to look at these for what is actually true and not try to change what I did just to make me sound better. Stick to my truths, do not reword or add things that ae not true, just summarize it. Gemini answered me with, "No Problem, you need to nudge me because this is how I continue to learn."
What I Noticed After My Resume Review
Because my resume was enhanced with more bot batter, by paying AI Resume Builder to redo it for me for $25.00, the humanity I had originally put in my original resume, all my human speak, and self-worth was totally gone. This experiment shows me just how our resumes are being treated by ATS, and why we need to cut out the Bot, put in the human, then find our dream job. B23 is my friend, but still a Bot and loves to eat Bot Batter. This speaks volumes to the reason humans are not being seen at all. We all need a 100% honest representation of our skills, our achievements and our years of work. I think of this as DeBotting the issue. Cleaning the chalk board and starting over to clear out the Bot noise and get in front of someone who is literally searching for us! Using our Dossier cuts to the chase faster and is completely honest, if you are being honest.
What The Audit Looks Like
The AI 'Lie'
Why it Matters
The AI 'Lie'
"Spearheaded the design and architecture of a global 24/7 live support system."
"Implemented advanced AI protocols to automate customer satisfaction."
"Revolutionized the employee retention model through strategic HR planning."
My Truth
Why it Matters
The AI 'Lie'
"Inherited a complex 24/7 global support system and successfully led a team of 37 through a decade of uninterrupted service."
"Introduced customer feedback loops that gave our human team the data they needed to resolve disputes personally."
"Built a rewards program that actually made my remote team feel seen and valued, reducing our turnover."
Why it Matters
Why it Matters
Why it Matters
Integrity. The AI wanted a "Creator." Trace wants a Guardian. A CEO needs to know you can protect their systems.
Style. The AI thought I wanted a bot. I showed I wanted Human Connection.
Heart. The AI used "Corporate Speak." I used Manager Speak.
The Trace "Raw Truth" Intake Form
- The "Stakes" Question: What was the most high-pressure situation you ever handled? (e.g., I managed a 24/7 global chat room with 37 people for 13 years.)
- The "Inheritance" Question: Did you build the system from scratch, or did you inherit a mess and have to fix/maintain it? (This prevents the "AI Lies" about designing things you didn't).
- The "Digital Toolbelt" Question: What software do you use so often that you could teach it to someone else tomorrow?
- The "Human Count" Question: What is the largest number of people you’ve been responsible for? Was it a team you saw every day, or a global/remote ecosystem?
- The "Shelf-Ware" Question: Have you ever taken a piece of software that the company wasn't using well and made it actually work for the team?
- The "Crisis" Question: Tell us about a time the "lights went out" (a system crash, a massive mistake, a PR disaster). What did you do in the first 30 minutes?
- The "Unusual Grit" Question: What is something you’ve done outside of an office that required intense focus or physical/mental toughness? (e.g., Hard Hat Diving, Marathon running, Raising 5 kids.)
- The "Fractional" Question: If a company hired you for only 10 hours a week, what is the #1 problem you could solve for them better than anyone else?
- The "Evolution" Question: What is one "AI Hammer" you’ve started using recently that you actually like?
- The "Human Not Bot" Pledge: In your own words, why do you refuse to let a machine do the "thinking" for you?
Glossary of the New Economy
The Trace Glossary: A New Language for New Work
New Trace Solutions Terminology I have been compelled to make up or add.
Trace Glossary
Bot-Batter (n.)
9-Degree Tremors (n.)
Bot-Batter (n.)
The thick sludge of automated, keyword-stuffed applications and generic AI-generated "Unicorn" job descriptions. It’s the digital noise that makes great humans invisible and makes CEOs want to quit hiring.
- Trace Context: We don't batter; we filter.
Shelf-Ware (n.)
9-Degree Tremors (n.)
Bot-Batter (n.)
Expensive AI and software tools that a company pays for monthly, but no one actually knows how to use. It "sits on the shelf" while the team continues to do things the old, slow way.
- Trace Context: A Trace Pilot turns your shelf-ware into a cockpit.
9-Degree Tremors (n.)
9-Degree Tremors (n.)
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
The subtle, forensic signs of character and grit that a bot can’t see. It’s the way a veteran describes a crisis or the specific logic they use to fix a broken system. It’s the "vibe" that proves a candidate is the real deal.
- Trace Context: Our human interviewers are trained to hear the tremors.
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
The rare combination of 20+ years of experience mixed with the ability to simplify complex problems. It’s the wisdom that tells you why to do something, not just how.
- Trace Context: We specialize in placing Crystallized Intelligence into high-stakes roles.
Digital Hammers (n.)
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
Digital Hammers (n.)
Modern AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity) viewed as simple instruments of labor rather than "Gods."
- Trace Context: You bring the carpentry (wisdom); we provide the power-nailer (AI).
The Human Exit (n.)
Crystallized Intelligence (n.)
Digital Hammers (n.)
The moment a seeker or CEO decides to stop playing the "Gamer" games on LinkedIn and Indeed and moves to a human-vetted registry like Trace.
- Trace Context: The exit is a sanctuary of dignity.
Fractional Veteran (n.)
A high-level leader who provides 100% of their wisdom in 20% of the time. They fix the problem, set up the system, and move on—saving the company 80% on salary while delivering 10X the value.
- Trace Context: Our primary "Product" for the modern CEO.
Bot-22 (n.)
A digital paradox where a user or seeker is trapped in an endless loop of automated responses while trying to reach a human. You need a human to fix the error, but the only way to reach one is through the error-prone machine itself.
- Trace Context: Trace is the "Emergency Exit" from the Bot-22. We provide a human gatekeeper for that Catch 22 feel.
DeBotting (v.)
Human-Not-Bot [Human Not Bought] (adj./phrase)
The act of auditing a machine-generated summary to ensure it aligns with the candidate's actual history and integrity.
- Trace Context: I DeBotted my resume to prove that a clear, honest history is more valuable to a CEO than a keyword-stuffed template."
Human-Not-Bot [Human Not Bought] (adj./phrase)
Human-Not-Bot [Human Not Bought] (adj./phrase)
A badge of intellectual and professional independence. It signifies a professional who uses AI as a tool but refuses to be "bought" or replaced by it. It represents a commitment to original thinking, ethical judgment, and uncompromised character.
- Trace Context: We only registry professionals who sign their work "Human-Not-Bot." It is our gold standard for authenticity in a synthetic world.
Digital Breath Test (n.)
Digital Breath Test (n.)
A mandatory, high-level liveness and authenticity check performed at the entry point of the Trace ecosystem. A verification "gate" designed to filter out automated scripts, bots, and "gamers" before they can interact with the Trace Registry.
- Trace Context: Every Seeker must pass the Digital Breath Test to ensure the harbor remains a bot-free zone for our CEOs.
Bot Buddy (n.)
Digital Breath Test (n.)
A collaborative AI partnership where technology acts as a "Digital First Mate," handling high-volume tasks under the direct supervision of a Human Captain.
- Trace Context: I’m not working alone; I’ve got my Bot Buddy handling the data crunching so I can spend my time in 1-on-1 human syncs.