The Uncommon Career: Job Search & Career Coaching for Mid-career Women

In this milestone 100th episode, dive into essential resume and LinkedIn advice, including the importance of a LinkedIn profile, common resume mistakes to avoid, and actionable tips to make your resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

Learn how to replace vague adjectives and adverbs by emphasizing specific accomplishments, tailor your resume for your target role, and more.

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Referenced Materials:

Cut 3 months off your job search in 90 minutes (start here)

Learn our 5-step job search strategy:

Connect with me on LinkedIn (let me know you're from the podcast):

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Patricia Ortega is known for coaching clients to a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over bragging. She helps mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster by combining three core areas: 1) Clear branding and messaging, 2) job search strategy, and 3) Identity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure. She operates from a Christian worldview. She believes excellence and integrity can coexist, and you don’t have to exaggerate or compromise who you are to compete at a high level. Learn more at https://theuncommoncareer.com.

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Darren Shearer discusses how to live a Christ-centered work life in secular settings. He explores the influence each employee has on organizational culture and emphasizes the importance of making disciples through one's professional conduct. Shearer introduces concepts from his book 'The Christ Centered Company', highlighting the significance of embedding Christ's mission in everyday work activities.

Practical tips include treating every interaction as if Jesus is the recipient, maintaining a habit of recognizing spiritual accountability at work, and ensuring trust and emotional and spiritual care for team members.

The episode concludes with advice on practicing mindfulness and resting, all while striving for excellence in one's professional life.

00:19 Living a Christ-Centered Work Life

02:05 Mission and Identity in the Workplace

04:54 Practical Habits for a Christ-Centered Work Life

13:48 Trust and Delegation in Leadership

20:21 Balancing Rest and High Performance

25:09 Providing Emotional and Spiritual Care

28:55 Speed Round: Key Takeaways

Darren Shearer is the founder and director of the Theology of Business Institute, which helps marketplace Christians explore and apply God’s will for business. He has authored three books for marketplace Christians and is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books & Media, which helps fellow Christ-centered authors and organizations craft, publish, and market messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture. Its imprint, High Bridge Books, has published 190+ books since 2013.

A former Captain in the United States Air Force, Darren earned the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his meritorious service in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a M.A. in Practical Theology, an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Management, and a B.A. in English. Darren and his wife, Marie, reside in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina (Waynesville, NC) with their three young boys.

Take the Theology of Business Institute Assessments:  https://www.theologyofbusiness.com/assessments/

Darren’s books are available at: https://www.theologyofbusiness.com/shop/

High Bridge Books: www.HighBridgeBooks.com

Theology of Business: www.TheologyofBusiness.com

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:

From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching

In this episode, Patricia provides actionable advice on refining your job search strategy by achieving crystal clear clarity. She emphasizes focusing on a single target role, optimizing your branding, and understanding the importance of effective communication over experience.

Key steps include aligning your materials with your desired role, exploring company culture and industry fit, and leveraging foundational values. Further, it highlights the importance of detailed groundwork to avoid prolonged job search frustrations, inviting listeners to join a masterclass on interview strategies. 

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Cut 3 months off your job search in 90 minutes (start here)

Learn our 5-step job search strategy:

Connect with me on LinkedIn (let me know you're from the podcast):

.

.

.

.

.

.

_____________________

Patricia Ortega is known for coaching clients to a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over bragging. She helps mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster by combining three core areas: 1) Clear branding and messaging, 2) job search strategy, and 3) Identity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure. She operates from a Christian worldview. She believes excellence and integrity can coexist, and you don’t have to exaggerate or compromise who you are to compete at a high level. Learn more at https://theuncommoncareer.com.

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Are you struggling to stand out in a sea of job applications?

In this episode, Patricia Ortega shares invaluable insights on transforming your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters and hiring managers. With over 75 hours of research, Patricia emphasizes the importance of branding through key elements like your headline, banner image, and about section.

Learn how to craft a compelling narrative that showcases your unique value proposition and accomplishments, making you irresistible to potential employers. Tune in for practical tips that can elevate your LinkedIn presence and significantly increase your chances of landing that dream job!

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:

From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching

Have you ever felt stifled by a micromanager?

In this engaging episode, Patricia and Julianna dive deep into the nuances of micromanagement versus structured leadership. They explore how micromanagers often act out of fear and insecurity, leading to a lack of trust and autonomy for their team members. Julianna shares practical strategies for navigating these challenging dynamics, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and understanding your manager's expectations.

By fostering a supportive environment, you can not only ease the tension but also enhance your professional growth. Tune in for valuable insights on managing micromanagers effectively.

This episode is part of the Elevated Leadership Series, co-hosted by Julianna Yau Yorgan and Patricia Ortega.

Elevated Leadership is available on both The Uncommon Career Podcast and The Daring to Succeed Podcast.

Listen to the Daring to Succeed Podcast to get to know Julianna: https://www.jyycoaching.com/podcast/

Connect with Julianna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliannayauyorgan/ 

Cut 3 months off your job search in 90 minutes (start here)

Learn our 5-step job search strategy:

Connect with me on LinkedIn (let me know you're from the podcast):

.

.

.

.

.

.

_____________________

Patricia Ortega is known for coaching clients to a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over bragging. She helps mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster by combining three core areas: 1) Clear branding and messaging, 2) job search strategy, and 3) Identity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure. She operates from a Christian worldview. She believes excellence and integrity can coexist, and you don’t have to exaggerate or compromise who you are to compete at a high level. Learn more at https://theuncommoncareer.com.

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Are you feeling stuck in your job and wondering if it's time to move on?

In this episode, host Patricia Ortega explores the signs that indicate it might be time for a career change. With nearly half of employees disengaged at work, Patricia discusses internal nudges like feeling undervalued and unproductive, as well as external factors such as toxic work environments and stagnant teams.

She emphasizes the importance of recognizing opportunities for growth and the potential for salary increases when switching jobs. Tune in for actionable insights that can help you take control of your career and find fulfillment in your professional life.

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Cut 3 months off your job search in 90 minutes (start here)

Learn our 5-step job search strategy:

Connect with me on LinkedIn (let me know you're from the podcast):

.

.

.

.

.

.

_____________________

Patricia Ortega is known for coaching clients to a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over bragging. She helps mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster by combining three core areas: 1) Clear branding and messaging, 2) job search strategy, and 3) Identity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure. She operates from a Christian worldview. She believes excellence and integrity can coexist, and you don’t have to exaggerate or compromise who you are to compete at a high level. Learn more at https://theuncommoncareer.com.

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In this episode, career strategist Jamila Brown joins the Patricia Ortega to discuss how to define your value as both a human and a professional. Join in exploring the misconception of separating personal and professional lives, which can lead to burnout, and emphasize understanding one's personal value to exude confidence in the workplace.

Jamila introduces a 'formula for value' involving confidence, belief, and subtraction of fear, and highlights the importance of reflecting on childhood experiences to identify natural strengths. Listen in and discover ways to communicate one's value confidently, including writing down affirmations and embracing personal history for self-awareness. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Understanding Your Value as a Human

02:51 The Formula for Value

06:40 Identifying and Overcoming Fear

09:58 Rediscovering Childhood Passions

11:27 Addressing Pain and Burnout

14:10 Taking Responsibility and Making Changes

22:33 Communicating Your Value Confidently

25:00 Conclusion and Resources

Jamila is a former athlete and collegiate coach turned corporate professional and now coach/consultant, with a mission to empower professionals to take control of their careers. As a servant leader, Jamila is passionate about sharing career hacks that can change the trajectory of careers and compensation, enabling individuals to confidently draft and execute their personal blueprints.

With expertise in leadership development, team building, investment research, content design, and a proven track record as a Regional Director of Operations, Jamila has partnered with some of the world's largest retailers, including Champs Sports, Walmart Inc., Ross Stores Inc., and Dollar General. Additionally, Jamila has consulted with numerous organizations and individuals on branding, content, and leadership development, including through the 5 Minute Career Hack.

Jamila is eager to continue learning from others’ career journeys while sharing the invaluable lessons gathered throughout their personal and professional experiences.

• Career Blueprint Ebook:

https://www.5minutecareerhack.com/offers/Dwi33mmd

LInkedIn: https://bit.ly/jamilabrownlinkedin

X: https://bit.ly/jamilax

Instagram: https://bit.ly/5mchinstagram

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/5MinuteCareerHack

Website: http://5minutecareerhack.com

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:

From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching

In this episode, Patricia explores effective strategies for setting actionable goals that align with your organization's objectives, ensuring a win-win scenario.

Discover how to prepare for your performance review by collecting metrics and crafting compelling narratives that highlight your contributions. Furthermore, she discusses the importance of engaging your leadership in career conversations, using open-ended questions to foster collaboration. With practical tips for maintaining accountability and tracking progress, you’ll be equipped to navigate your path to promotion by January 2026.

Tune in and transform your professional journey today.

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:

From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching

In this last of the three-part Annual Planning Series, Patricia and Dale focus on strategies to ensure goals stick throughout 2025. They emphasize the importance of writing down goals, displaying them visibly, and involving accountability partners. They also discuss practical tools like time-blocking and using tech to support goal achievement.

Click here to download a checklist of all the ways you can Make Your 2025 Goals Stick

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:30 Setting Goals for 2025

01:11 Strategies for Making Goals Stick

04:10 Creating a Supportive Environment

06:44 Overcoming Obstacles and Staying Motivated

11:45 The Power of Accountability

16:57 Using Technology to Stay on Track

23:25 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Dale Wilsher is an authenticity advocate and personal development expert whose powerful message as a speaker, coach, and trainer has transformed countless lives. She helps professionals reassess their strengths, clarify their values, and define their meaning, guiding them to reach their full potential.

Her mission is to help others make the most of their time and talent, recognizing their unique strengths and using them to live authentically and purposefully.

Dale is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and serves as faculty for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute of Organizational Management. Her certifications include ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Professional Life Coach (CPLC), Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP), and Strengths Champion Coach in Gallup Strengths Finder Assessment.

As a Certified Behavioral Consultant in DISC Personality Profile, Dale trains teams to leverage personality differences for creating respectful and successful workplace cultures.

84. Reflect on 2024: Annual Review Strategies

88. Plan for 2025: Wheel of Life and Goal Setting

Dale’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalewilsher/

Wheel of Life: Click here to access 

Website: https://www.yourauthenticpersonality.com/

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Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/pmortega

Get started with your career move: Download The Career Transition Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching

Patricia provides a comprehensive guide to start preparing for hiring season. Topics covered include self-positioning and mindset, enhancing your online presence and networking, optimizing your application and resume, effective company outreach, and mastering interview preparation. And key points include evaluating your career history, determining the best fit roles, understanding and communicating your value proposition, staying positive, leveraging alumni networks, updating your resume, aligning your branding with your next role, and preparing for both in-person and virtual interviews.

Listen and start preparing for your next working season.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:31 Self Positioning and Mindset

05:02 Online Presence and Networking

06:57 Application and Resume Optimization

09:02 Company Outreach and Job Search

10:48 Interview Preparation

17:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

   _________________________________________________________________

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist

Click here to learn about coaching