Melanated Midlife

Got a minute? Or better yet, 10 minutes? Let me show you 3 critical mistakes that could be getting your resume screened out.

Whether you're actively job hunting or just want to keep your resume fresh, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

I am Dr. Akilah Willery, midlife career coach and founder of Melanated Midlife. I work with professional women in their 40s and 50s who are ready to stop shrinking and start building the career they actually want, even when the job market makes that feel impossible.

If you are feeling overlooked or stuck between who you have been professionally and who you know you could be, you are in the right place.

Start here:
Resources: http://melanatedmidlife.com/learn

Get the book:
"Melanated Midlife: A Manual for Letting Go and Leveling Up After 50": https://a.co/d/1RGMHML

Book a free 30-minute strategy call:
https://forms.gle/t7BTzJoNYLyhuBJZ8


Key takeaways for this episode:

1. Your resume is too long. Focus on relevant, recent work experience (10-12 years).
2. Include metrics to showcase your impact. Numbers matter!
3. Avoid listing job duties; highlight your achievements instead.

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Mistake #1: Resume Length
01:01 Mistake #2: Lack of Metrics
03:23 Mistake #3: Job Duties vs. Impact
07:00 Conclusion

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In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of having an emergency job loss plan and the steps to take in preparation for a career transition. We'll cover the significance of networking, updating LinkedIn profiles, and engaging in meaningful conversations with contacts.

Takeaways

• Emergency job loss plan is crucial
• Networking and LinkedIn profile updates are essential for career transitions

Chapters

• 00:00 Importance of Career Transition Preparation
• 02:20 Building and Nurturing Your Network
• 05:12 Utilizing LinkedIn as a Modern-Day White Pages
• 10:03 Engaging in Meaningful Conversations with Contacts
• 14:10 Invitation to Attend Live Workshops and Purchase Book

Go here for resources mentioned in this episode: http://melanatedmidlife.com/learn

If I were a 22-year old starting my career in today's job market, this is what I'd do. This episode you need to send to the young person you care about, because it provides valuable career advice for young professionals. I'm covering topics such as the fallacy of remote work, the importance of visibility, building a professional network, personal branding, the significance of a third space, paying rent while living at home, continuing education, and developing communication and soft skills.

Chapters

• 00:00 Career Advice for Young Professionals
• 02:14 The Fallacy of Remote Work
• 03:09 The Importance of Visibility
• 05:02 Volunteering to Build Skills
• 09:21 Building a Professional Network
• 13:47 Building a Personal Brand
• 18:18 The Importance of a Third Space
• 22:28 Paying Rent While Living at Home
• 26:27 Continuing Education and Expertise Growth
• 31:05 Developing Communication and Soft Skills

Sometimes the message needs to match the messenger. The conversation explores the importance of experience and relatability in coaching and mentorship, emphasizing the value of learning from those who have overcome similar challenges. It delves into the significance of age and life experience in delivering impactful messages and guidance, especially in midlife transitions and personal growth journeys.

Takeaways

• Experience and relatability are crucial in coaching and mentorship.
• The ideal messenger for life lessons is someone who has overcome similar challenges.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Experience
• 03:18 The Ideal Messenger
• 08:05 Navigating Midlife Transitions
• 11:28 Lessons from Life's Challenges

Download your free guide mentioned in this episode: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/networking

Unlock the power of networking to find your next opportunity! In this video, I share essential strategies for leveraging your network effectively, and all of these steps can be done in 7 days.

Key takeaways:

* Understand the importance of networking in career advancement.
* Learn how to identify and connect with key contacts in your field.
* Discover actionable tips to maintain and nurture your professional relationships.

I am Dr. Akilah Willery, midlife career coach and founder of Melanated Midlife. I work with professional women in their 40s and 50s who are ready to stop shrinking and start building the career they actually want, even when the job market makes that feel impossible.

If you are feeling overlooked or stuck between who you have been professionally and who you know you could be, you are in the right place.

Start here, it is free:
Download the "Collect Your Receipts" guide and start building the career case you have been sitting on: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/collectyourreceipts

Get the book:
"Melanated Midlife: A Manual for Letting Go and Leveling Up After 50": https://a.co/d/1RGMHML

Book a free 30-minute strategy call:
https://forms.gle/t7BTzJoNYLyhuBJZ8

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 The importance of networking
01:00 Identifying key contacts
01:30 Tips for maintaining relationships

So what is the hidden financial impact of menopause? In this episode, we are sitting down with menopause expert Siam Maxie about the often-overlooked costs associated with this life transition. From trial and error spending, to the 'menopause tax,' we dive deep into how menopause affects your finances, career and well-being.

Connect with Siam:

• Website: https://siammaxie.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siam-maxie-1a101116/
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheMenopauseCatalyst
  

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I am Dr. Akilah Willery, midlife career coach and founder of Melanated Midlife. I work with professional women in their 40s and 50s who are ready to stop shrinking and start building the career they actually want, even when the job market makes that feel impossible.

If you are feeling overlooked or stuck between who you have been professionally and who you know you could be, you are in the right place.

Start here, it is free:
Download the "Collect Your Receipts" guide and start building the career case you have been sitting on: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/collectyourreceipts

Get the book:
"Melanated Midlife: A Manual for Letting Go and Leveling Up After 50": https://a.co/d/1RGMHML

Book a free 30-minute strategy call:
https://forms.gle/t7BTzJoNYLyhuBJZ8

Dive into the inspiring journey of Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton, the Democratic candidate for the 501st District Court in Fort Bend County. Discover how she transitioned from a career in education to becoming a judge, and what midlife means to her.

Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton has been a proud resident of Fort Bend County for over 40 years
and is a product of the Fort Bend Independent School District. A former Teacher of the Year at Lake Olympia Middle School, Judge Clayton began her legal career in 2005 by founding The McGill Law Firm [practicing primarily Family Law as well as Criminal, Personal Injury, and Wills and Probate.  She later served as a Legal Enforcement Attorney with the Harris County Domestic Relations Office before being appointed Associate Judge of the 505th Judicial District Court in 2021.

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I am Dr. Akilah Willery, midlife career coach and founder of Melanated Midlife. I work with professional women in their 40s and 50s who are ready to stop shrinking and start building the career they actually want, even when the job market makes that feel impossible.

If you are feeling overlooked or stuck between who you have been professionally and who you know you could be, you are in the right place.

Start here, it is free:
Download the "Collect Your Receipts" guide and start building the career case you have been sitting on: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/collectyourreceipts

Get the book:
"Melanated Midlife: A Manual for Letting Go and Leveling Up After 50": https://a.co/d/1RGMHML

Book a free 30-minute strategy call:
https://forms.gle/t7BTzJoNYLyhuBJZ8

Get the "Resume Self-Audit" guide: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/resume-self-audit

In this episode, I'm teaching you how to transform your resume from a list of duties into a compelling story of your achievements. If you've questioned whether your resume shows your age, then this is a quick how-to lesson for you. Learn the five essential steps to catch hiring managers’ attention and showcase your true value, after a long career, with specific numbers and powerful language.

Key takeaways:

* Why traditional resume phrases like "assisted with" are outdated and ineffective
* How to identify and eliminate "red flag" effort-based statements
* The importance of attaching numbers and metrics to demonstrate impact
* Using dynamic action verbs to convey authority and initiative
* The "so what" test: ensuring each bullet communicates results
* Structuring resume bullets: who you are, what you did, and the outcome
* Top three resume highlights: showcasing your highest value contributions
* The free, printable worksheet for conducting your own resume audit
* Encouragement for women over 40 to highlight their career impact

Timestamps:
00:00 - Why your resume is lying about your professional impact
00:29 - The difference between a job description and your personal story
01:01 - The five-step audit to transform your resume’s effectiveness
01:45 - How to identify effort-based phrases that need replacing
02:22 - The importance of adding numbers and outcomes to your bullets
03:01 - The "so what" test: making each statement matter
03:37 - How to craft dynamic, impactful resume statements
06:54 - Words that communicate authority and leadership
07:24 - Structuring bullets: strong verbs, scope, and results
08:15 - Example transformation: from task to impact statement
09:09 - Avoiding vague statements and emphasizing results
09:59 - The checklist: does each bullet pass the "so what" test?
10:36 - Prioritizing your top three impact-driven bullets
11:44 - Recognizing the wealth of experience women hold, often unrecognized
12:25 - Access to the free worksheet and how to perform your own resume audit
13:09 - Encouragement to share experiences and use the free guide
14:04 - Offering free strategy calls and ongoing support for your career success

Are you a midlife woman looking to transition into a new career? In this video, I share insights on how to navigate career changes after 50, especially for former educators. I am sharing the deep regret I still feel for all the chances I didn't take because I thought I was choosing the safer option.

If you are ready for support on your midlife career journey, visit my website: http://melanatedmidlife.com

Book a free strategy call with me: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_AzranynocLZAtNeP3GKOkYGBMxvLY80eVM5w8k7hrD0YSQ/viewform

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Conversations with women over 50
01:27 The question of inspiration
02:41 Welcome to the Melanated Midlife
03:06 The common story of educators
04:03 The culture of self-sacrifice
05:26 The pull to do something new
06:23 How I got into this work
07:11 The truth behind my journey
08:08 Choosing the safer path
09:36 Regret of missed opportunities
10:42 The importance of making brave choices
12:22 The women I work with
13:48 The realization of dissatisfaction
15:09 The unfiltered guidance I provide
16:31 The misconception about resumes
18:15 Starting from experience
20:10 The importance of taking action
21:57 Free workshop invitation
23:14 Scheduling a call for support

In this episode, you will meet a former coaching client of mine! Angela Trahan shares the story of her journey into midlife, self-discovery, and the huge awakening she experienced by investing in herself after turning 50.

Angela is the Founder of Phoenix Consulting Group, LLC, a Leadership Strategist, Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach, and SEL Certified practitioner.

With over 20 years of experience in both nonpublic and public education systems, Angela has led at the highest levels of school and district leadership, most recently serving as an Assistant Superintendent for K–12. Her expertise spans organizational transformation, federal program management, and team development, equipping her to support leaders and organizations across industries.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Reward of Pouring into Others
• 39:08 The Shift to Self-Service
• 44:12 Taking Action and Making Decisions
• 49:13 Living Your Best Life
• 54:27 Uniqueness and DNA of Strengths
• 01:04:49 Final Words and Encouragement