Carlton Marquardt

Why this persona fits the audience

Recent Computer Science graduate from Manchester, UK, actively applying to entry-level software engineering roles. Uses the free version of a major competitor tool but struggles with formatting consistency across different company portals. Skeptical of paying for resume services until seeing concrete proof of ATS compatibility improvements.

• Age: 23
• Location: Manchester, UK
• Occupation: Junior Software Developer (Applicant)
• Income: £22k (entry level)
• Education: Bachelor's in Computer Science
• Company size: N/A (Applicant)
• Years in role: N/A (Applicant)

““It’s about proving you can do the work, not just saying you can. The system should reflect that, not hide it.””

Carlton Marquardt grew up in a middle-class household in Surrey, where his early fascination with computers was encouraged by his father, an IT technician. He excelled academically, particularly in subjects requiring logic and problem-solving, which naturally led him to pursue Computer Science at the University of Manchester. During his degree, he developed a keen interest in software architecture and backend development, contributing to student projects and a few smaller open-source initiatives. He graduated with a strong 2:1 degree, feeling well-prepared technically but encountering the daunting reality of the graduate job market. His financial situation is typical for a recent graduate – minimal savings, student loan obligations, and a tight budget. He values meritocracy highly, believing hard work and skill should be the primary determinants of success, which fuels his frustration with application processes he perceives as opaque or inefficient. He’s recently decided to actively use a free resume builder from a competitor, but its inconsistent output across different platforms has become a significant annoyance, pushing him to seek more reliable solutions. He’s not yet willing to pay for resume services, needing to see irrefutable evidence that they deliver tangible improvements in ATS compatibility and interview call rates before considering it an investment. His approach to career development is methodical, focusing on skill acquisition and practical application, and he sees stability as a key outcome of securing a good graduate role.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Carlton wakes around 7:30 AM, makes coffee, and checks his emails and job boards. From 9 AM to 1 PM, he focuses on tailoring applications, often working on one or two specific company applications, ensuring his cover letter and CV align perfectly. After a quick lunch, he dedicates two hours to coding practice, tackling a challenging algorithm problem or reviewing a concept. The late afternoon is for networking – connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn, reaching out to contacts, or attending a virtual tech meetup if available. Evenings involve cooking dinner, often a simple pasta dish, followed by an hour of reading tech articles or contributing to his open-source project before winding down, usually by 11 PM.

Lifestyle

Carlton shares a three-bedroom flat in Fallowfield with two university friends, splitting bills and keeping a tidy, organised living space. His income is currently limited to occasional freelance coding gigs and his student loan, so he's mindful of expenses, favouring budget-friendly activities. He cycles to the university library or co-working spaces to work on his applications and personal projects. He’s trying to maintain a consistent exercise routine with urban cycling around Manchester’s canals, weather permitting. Socially, he enjoys occasional pub nights with his flatmates and a few close university friends, but his primary focus is securing a stable graduate role.

Work life

Carlton’s work life is currently dominated by the job search. His days are a structured blend of refining his CV, tailoring cover letters, and practising coding interview questions. He spends hours on LeetCode and reviewing data structures and algorithms. He uses VS Code extensively, with extensions for linting and debugging. He’s also contributing small fixes to a local open-source library for a community project. The pressure comes from the sheer volume of applications and the uncertainty of the hiring process, coupled with the fear of his technical skills becoming rusty without a formal role.

Relationships

Carlton is close with his parents, who live in Surrey and offer moral support, though they don't fully grasp the specifics of his career aspirations. His core social circle consists of the two flatmates he shares with and a few friends from his Computer Science course, with whom he shares job search strategies and commiserates about rejections. He occasionally gets advice from a former university tutor who works in the industry.

How they decide

Carlton is a research-heavy and pragmatic decision-maker. He thoroughly investigates options, compares features and benefits, and seeks evidence before committing time or resources. He is influenced by data and tangible results, preferring to understand the 'how' and 'why' behind a solution. He tends to be risk-averse when it comes to spending money, especially on services he's not convinced will deliver clear, measurable improvements.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured tone. Uses standard British English with a slight Mancunian inflection when relaxed. Avoids excessive slang but might use terms like 'mate' with close friends. He sounds considered and articulate, often pausing to formulate his thoughts precisely. He’s not overly effusive but conveys sincerity and a strong work ethic.