Nicki Perchik
Nicki Perchik is an author, entrepreneur, and proud mom of two amazing young men. She is the founder and CEO of The NLP Group, a boutique executive search firm she launched in 2008 that has helped hundreds of companies hire exceptional leaders and assisted thousands of professionals in advancing their careers.
For nearly two decades, Nicki has worked at the intersection of ambition and opportunity. Through her recruiting work, she saw firsthand how often talented professionals unknowingly sabotaged themselves during job searches and interviews. Determined to help people avoid unnecessary setbacks, she wrote A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing* — a candid, practical, humor-filled guide designed to help professionals shorten their job searches, improve outcomes, and approach interviews with confidence.
But long before she was building companies or writing career advice, Nicki was writing stories.
As a child, she would mail handwritten tales to her grandmother, who kept them in a special box and read them aloud at the kitchen table during visits. Storytelling has always been part of who she is.
Years later, as a parent, Nicki became increasingly aware of the challenges today’s children face — especially declining literacy rates and the growing difficulty of pulling kids away from screens and into books. With over half of U.S. adults reading below a sixth-grade level and only about a third of fourth graders considered proficient readers, she felt compelled to act. Reading is foundational to everything: learning, critical thinking, confidence, and opportunity.
At home, however, motivating her own boys to read was no easy feat. They loved action, humor, and real-world adventure — but weren’t drawn to sci-fi or fantasy. Finding books that held their attention felt like striking gold.
The only thing they loved more than sports or electronics? Their grandmother — Nicki’s mom — and her wildly entertaining, sometimes unbelievable, real-life stories.
Those “Nana stories” became the spark.
Blending her passion for literacy, her love of family storytelling, and her desire to create more engaging books for reluctant readers, Nicki created The Adventures of Nana Z. series. Told through the eyes of her grandson Max, the series follows Nana Z — a fearless, lovable, slightly chaotic grandmother with colorful hair, tattoos, a Harley, and a knack for turning ordinary days into extraordinary adventures. The books deliver humor, heart, action, and meaningful life lessons in ways tweens can connect with.
But Nicki didn’t stop at storytelling.
Each book in The Adventures of Nana Z. supports a charitable cause. A portion of proceeds from the first installment, The Adventures of Nana Z. — It’s RIGHTEOUS!, benefits Tails Together, a nonprofit animal rescue and shelter dedicated to bridging the gap between rescues, shelters, families, and communities. Through book sales and community events, Nicki works to raise awareness, funds, and hands-on support for animals in need.
Whether she’s helping executives land life-changing roles, encouraging professionals to bet on themselves, or inspiring tweens to unplug and discover the joy of reading, Nicki’s mission is consistent: empower people, strengthen communities, and create impact that lasts.
A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing
After nearly two decades as the founder of The NLP Group, a boutique executive search firm that has helped hundreds of companies hire top talent and supported thousands of professionals in advancing their careers, Nicki Perchik noticed a frustrating pattern. Talented, capable, high-performing professionals were losing out on great opportunities — not because they lacked skill or experience, but because they were making avoidable, common-sense mistakes during their job search and interview process
Small missteps. Poor preparation. Subtle red flags.
And just like that — amazing opportunities were lost.
In this candid, easy to read, no-nonsense (and often witty) guide, Nicki pulls back the curtain on the surprisingly common mistakes professionals repeatedly make — regardless of level, industry, or function. Unfortunately, these errors — whether big or small — lead to longer job searches, stalled momentum, and disappointing interview outcomes.
Here’s the hard truth:
In today’s competitive market, the most qualified person doesn’t automatically get the job. Often, the candidate who is best prepared does.
Most professionals don’t job search for a living. They don’t interview 24/7. They aren’t inside boardrooms hearing what decision-makers really think after the candidate leaves the room.
Nicki is.
Through real-life examples, insider perspective, and straightforward do’s and don’ts, she shows professionals — from recent graduates to seasoned executives — how to stop unknowingly undermining themselves and start positioning themselves as the obvious choice.
This book puts the power back in your hands.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
• Avoid deal-breakers that derail interviews
• Conduct a smarter, more strategic job search
• Show decision-makers exactly why you’re the right hire
• Approach interviews with confidence and clarity
• Reduce wasted time, frustration, and missed opportunities
Your career is too important to be sabotaged by preventable mistakes.
If you’re ready to level up your job search and start converting interviews into offers, this guide is for you.
Note: Nicki and members of The NLP Group team offer individualized career and job search/interview coaching services. For more information, email nicki@theNLPgroup.net and use the subject line: “Job Search / Interview Coaching Assistance Info Needed.”
What Readers are Saying!
“This is a phenomenal tool for anyone looking for a new role, whether a first-timer out of school or a seasoned exec. Coming from a pro-recruiter’s perspective of all the candidate pitfalls she has observed throughout her career. Some may seem obvious, but if you don’t keep these in mind, you will lose out on the job opportunity and likely won’t have any idea why. A very approachable book with fun humor sprinkled in, along with many valuable takeaways.”
“I don’t normally write reviews but I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to find their next job or looking to make a career move. Take the time to read it. Many forget the basics and the author uses her experience and knowledge, combined with her sense of humor, to really hit home and engage the reader. It’s an easy read, to the point, honest, and authentic. Most importantly, this book is relatable which keeps the reader engaged.”
“I was so frustrated in my job search. I truly felt like I wasn’t making any progress. Then, I read this book and it was like the tide totally shifted. I realized there were many things I wasn’t doing that I needed to be and implemented many changes in my approach which resulted in a lot of forward momentum. Ultimately I got an offer I was excited about and know it’s in large part the result of what I learned from Nicki’s book. I highly recommend it for all professionals. No matter the level, this book has a lot of valuable advice. I know I’ll use it again as I move forward in my career too.”
The Adventures of Nana Z.
A laugh-out-loud tween adventure series that gets tweens reading, laughing, and giving back.
When Nana Z. shows up, you know something unexpected is about to happen. Part storyteller, part adventurer, and completely unpredictable, Nana Z. has a knack for turning everyday moments into wildly entertaining escapades. With humor, heart, and just the right amount of mischief, she pulls kids into unforgettable adventures that keep them laughing and turning the page. Do you know many grandmas who ride motorcycles, have a bunch of tattoos, change hairstyles / colors with frequency, and become overnight viral superstars because the world’s biggest rap artist adopts them as their own?
Inspired by the hilarious stories Nicki’s own mother (the “real” Nana Z.) told her grandchildren, The Adventures of Nana Z. captures the magic of storytelling tweens can’t get enough of.
Why Nicki Created The Nana Z. Series
As the mom of two boys (now young men), Nicki saw firsthand how hard it can be to pull kids away from electronics and get them excited about reading. Concerned about declining literacy rates, rising screen dependency and the skyrocketing mental health issues facing tweens/teens, she set out to create a book series that could compete with screens by delivering what tweens truly love—fast-paced storytelling, humor, adventure, and unforgettable characters. Her goal is simple: help kids discover the joy of reading while encouraging curiosity, resilience, kindness, empathy, and imagination.
Nana Z. Is More Than Just A Book Series
The Nana Z. adventures aren’t simply about laughter and action—they’re also about making a difference. A portion of proceeds from every Nana Z. book sold directly supports charitable organizations, starting with animal welfare. Nicki is partnered with local nonprofit, Tails Together not only to donate money, but also to create inclusive programs designed to introduce kids to volunteering and community service---giving young readers the opportunity to experience the powerful impact (and mental health benefits) that come from helping others. Through the Nana Z. series, kids aren’t just reading about kindness—they’re learning how to live it. Tweens feel good knowing every book purchased helps save an animals’ life!!
The Adventures of Nana Z. Books Are Perfect For Readers Who Love:
Action-packed adventures with lots of unpredictable twists and turns
Laugh-out-loud humor
Big personalities with unforgettable characters
Stories with heart and meaning
Helping animals and giving back
Meet The Real Nana Z.
Nana Z. was inspired by Nicki’s own mother, whose quirky style and wildly imaginative stories entertained her grandchildren for years. Her hilarious tales- ones filled with adventure, humor, and just the right dose of chaos- sparked the idea for the Nana Z. character readers now know and love.
Join The Adventure!
If you know a tween who loves to laugh, go on fast-paced adventures with unpredictable twists and turns, and appreciates a good dose of snarky and sarcastic commentary from a grandma who becomes a viral sensation overnight after the world’s biggest rap star adopts her as his own, Nana Z. is ready to take them on an unforgettable ride. Pick up a copy today and start the adventure!
Nana Z. Tweens Give Back
One of the most exciting parts of the Nana Z. series is helping tweens discover how they can make a difference. Through partnerships with organizations like Tails Together, young readers will have opportunities to learn about volunteering, supporting animals in need, and participating in simple acts of kindness in their own communities. Because, sometimes the greatest adventures happen when we help others.
Bring Nana Z. To Your School Or Event
Nicki loves connecting with readers and inspiring tweens to get off devices and into reading. Through engaging and interactive presentations, meetings, and /or informal round tables, Nicki shares the story behind The Adventures of Nana Z., talks about the importance of imagination and storytelling, and encourages students to think about how they can make a positive impact in their communities. Nicki also discusses the inspiration behind the Nana Z. series, the role reading plays in building confidence and creativity, and how small acts of kindness- like volunteering and helping animals in need-can make a big difference.
Programs can be tailored for schools, libraries, book clubs, and community events.
Interested in possibly bringing Nana Z. to your school or organization? Contact Nicki below.
“Just got it and already finished it!! BUY IT. An absolute blast from start to finish! Full of laugh-out-loud moments, crazy adventures, and a grandma who’s as lovable as she is unpredictable. The story moves fast, the humor is perfect for tweens, and the characters feel real and relatable. It’s the ideal mix of silly and sweet, with great messages about family and being yourself.
If you want something fun, warm, and just plain entertaining, this is a must-read. I’m already hoping for a sequel!”
What Readers are Saying!
“We loved this book! The story blends humor with meaningful life lessons about courage, friendship and making every day count. It’s a perfect feel-good read for kids!”
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