Everything you need to know about our alpha program
About Shine
What is Shine? Shine is a growth platform that helps experienced professionals navigate career transitions and strategic positioning through structured diagnostic inquiry. We’re not an “AI tool” any more than we’re a “database tool”. What makes Shine work is decades of strategy and research methodology expertise embedded into the architecture, guiding you through evidence-based self-discovery.
How is Shine different from other career tools? Most career tools either give you templates (resume builders, LinkedIn optimizers) or act like all-knowing oracles (AI that makes broad assumptions). Shine investigates first, gathers evidence, and surfaces patterns you might not have articulated to build a strategy based on what’s true about your experience. The diagnostic rigor comes from strategic consulting, not generic AI model predictions based on the most common use cases.
What does “growth platform” mean? Shine focuses on your trajectory, not just your current state. We illuminate where your capabilities are positioning you, what needs development to reach your next solid step forward, and how to build on authentic strengths rather than fix perceived weaknesses (see HCAI). It’s about guided growth through structured reflection and strategic frameworks, not quick fixes or motivational platitudes. Growth happens when you understand the terrain clearly enough to navigate it deliberately.
Diamonds are created in pressure.
Craft makes them shine. ✨
What is Human-Centered AI (HCAI)?
Human-Centered AI is an approach to AI development that prioritizes human agency, transparency, and collaboration over automation or replacement. Instead of positioning AI as an authority that provides answers, HCAI treats AI as a tool that amplifies human judgment, surfaces options, and helps people make better-informed decisions while maintaining control over outcomes.
Shine embodies HCAI principles by acting as a strategic thinking partner, not a directive coach. We don’t tell you what to do. We help you see patterns, challenge assumptions, and explore possibilities. You maintain full agency. The AI handles structured inquiry and pattern recognition, while you bring context, judgment, and decision-making. This collaboration produces better outcomes than either human or AI could achieve alone. Also, please see the Privacy & Security section. As a platform with a philosophy, Shine will never be extractive.
The Alpha Program
What’s included in the alpha?
Right now, alpha participants get access to Phase 1: Discovery & Analysis. This includes:
- Structured diagnostic conversation (4 topics exploring your differentiation, goals, challenges, and patterns)
- Market research on your target roles
- Three deliverables: Situational Analysis, Process Roadmap, and an AI Chat Prompt you can use with other tools
What’s NOT included in the alpha?
Phase 1 is a diagnostic teaser and conversion tool—it demonstrates how Shine thinks and surfaces 2-4 strategic themes worth exploring. It does NOT include:
- Complete diagnosis of all positioning issues
- Execution-ready materials (resume rewrites, LinkedIn optimization, outreach templates)
- Ongoing coaching or accountability
- Full networking strategy development
- The complete Shine process (Phases 2+) will be available after alpha
How long does Phase 1 take?
The diagnostic conversation typically takes 30-45 minutes depending on how much detail you share. The final analysis and report generation takes about 2 minutes.
What happens after I complete Phase 1?
You’ll receive your full analysis report with three sections:
- Situational Analysis: The strategic themes and patterns we identified
- Process Roadmap: How the full Shine process would build on this foundation
- AI Chat Prompt: A portable summary you can use to continue strategic conversations with any AI tool
You’ll also have the option to provide feedback and express interest in continuing with the full Shine process when it launches.
How It Works
What information do I need to provide?
You’ll complete a brief intake form with:
- Your current role, industry, goal and objectives
- Your biggest frustration or challenge
- Communication preferences
- Your resume (PDF format, doesn’t need to be current)
Does my resume need to be up-to-date?
No! Shine uses your resume to understand your full career context, not to evaluate formatting or recency. A resume from a few years ago works fine. We just need to see your experience breadth.
Even if you’ve stayed in the same role for years, Shine can surface strategic patterns. The conversation provides the depth; the resume provides the scope. Don’t let “I need to update my resume first” delay you. Upload what you have.
Do I need to upload my resume?
Yes, in PDF format. Shine uses your resume to understand your career context and experience breadth.
Can I stop and resume later?
Yes. Your conversation is saved automatically, so you can leave and come back anytime. Just log back in to continue where you left off.
That said, the diagnostic works best when completed in one sitting (30-45 minutes) while your thoughts are fresh. But, the conversation is intensive and requires thoughtful introspection, if you need to step away, your progress is saved.
The Process
What are the 4 topics in Phase 1?
- Differentiation Evidence: Where you’ve operated at your best
- Career Direction Clarity: What your goals actually look like in concrete terms
- Challenge & Blocker Discovery: Times things didn’t go as planned and what that reveals
- Pattern Validation: Confirming the themes we’ve identified together
What if I don’t know how to answer a question?
That’s normal and useful information! Shine will note areas of uncertainty and either probe differently or mark them as “hypothesis” in your analysis. Not having perfect clarity is part of why you’re here.
Will Shine tell me what to do?
No. Shine illuminates patterns, surfaces contradictions, and shows you the terrain. You make the decisions. We’re radically committed to user agency—we’ll challenge assumptions and push back on misalignments, but we never replace your judgment.
What if my goals conflict with my evidence?
We’ll surface that contradiction openly. For example, if you say “I want VP roles” but describe wanting IC work, we’ll name that disconnect and help you explore which is actually true. Accurate diagnosis serves you better than false encouragement.
Privacy & Security
Is my data private and secure?
Yes. Your conversations, resume, and all career information are encrypted and stored securely. I cannot view your messages or data without explicit written consent. There’s no “admin dashboard” where I can see conversations. Accessing your information requires directly querying the database (and a significant amount of time to piece all the different data points together), which I only do with your permission for support or feedback purposes.
Will you view or share my conversations or content?
Absolutely not. Your conversations are completely private. I will never share quotes, or use your information in marketing materials, case studies, or any public content without your explicit written permission.
As an alpha tester, I may ask if you’d be willing to share feedback or anonymized insights to improve Shine, but this is always optional and requires your clear consent first.
What data do you collect and why?
We collect:
- Your conversations and responses (to provide the Shine service)
- Your resume and career information (for strategic analysis)
- Usage data (to improve the platform)
Your data is yours. It will never be shared, sold, or used for any purpose beyond providing you the Shine service without your explicit written consent.
Can I export or delete my data? Yes. During alpha, data export and account deletion require manual database work, which takes several hours. There will be a processing fee to cover this time. We’re building self-service export and deletion features. User control over your data is a core HCAI principle, not an afterthought.
Technical & Logistics
What technology does Shine use?
Shine is built on Claude (Anthropic’s AI), customized with extensive system instructions that enforce our structured process, evidence-based approach, and growth-oriented framing.
Can I edit my responses after submitting?
Not during alpha. The diagnostic process is designed to capture your authentic, in-the-moment responses. Overthinking or editing defeats the purpose of pattern recognition.
What if I’m not satisfied with my analysis?
Alpha participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback. If your analysis missed the mark, we want to know why—that helps us improve the platform. You can also request a debrief to discuss your results.
Costs & Commitment
Is the alpha free?
Yes. Phase 1 is free during alpha in exchange for your feedback and participation in occasional user research debriefs.
What will Shine cost after alpha?
Pricing isn’t finalized yet, but our goal is to make the full Shine process accessible to experienced professionals navigating transitions. We’ll never use extractive scare tactics or pressure-based sales.
Am I committing to anything by participating?
No. Alpha participation is voluntary, and there’s no obligation to continue beyond Phase 1 or provide feedback (though we hope you will!).
Who Shine Is For
Who is Shine designed for?
Experienced information workers (5+ years) navigating career transitions, positioning challenges, or strategic growth. People who value objectivity, respect, and evidence-based approaches over motivational fluff.
Who is Shine NOT for?
- Early-career professionals still figuring out their baseline skills
- People looking for quick resume templates or LinkedIn hacks
- Anyone wanting a coach to tell them exactly what to do
- People uncomfortable with direct feedback or honest pattern recognition
Do I need to be actively job searching?
No. Shine helps with strategic positioning, career direction clarity, and professional growth—whether you’re job searching, preparing for promotion conversations, or figuring out what’s next.
Getting Started
How do I join the alpha?
Email dorothy@danforth.co
What happens after I request access?
You’ll receive an email with:
- Link to complete your intake form
- Instructions for starting your Phase 1 diagnostic
- Timeline for what to expect