The Uncommon Career Podcast: Job Search & Transformative Career Coaching

  If the job search feels confusing when rejections come with zero feedback, this episode unlocks to what’s actually happening beneath the surface. Today’s conversation breaks down the two paths professionals most commonly find themselves on and explains how to tell which one you’re on. Often, the solution isn’t about doing more, but about recognizing whether a simple tune-up is needed or if the foundation itself needs attention. Clarity around direction, value, and communication changes everything - from how employers respond, to how confident you feel showing up. When the mystery lifts, momentum follows, and decisions start to feel easier, cleaner, and more aligned.   You’ll learn: ✔ The common symptoms that signal a lack of clarity in your search ✔ Why slowing down briefly can lead to faster, stronger results ✔ The early signs that confirm you’re finally on the right track ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 👋  WELCOME TO THE UNCOMMON CAREER!  Here's a few ways we can get to know each other: 📥 Podcast Roadmap - our best guidance for every stage of your search:  https://theuncommoncareer.com/roadmap 📥 90 Days to the Right Offer: https://theuncommoncareer.com/90   🔍 Learn about our start-to-finish brand development and job search program: https://theuncommoncareer.com/approach   💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn to get targeted resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmortega/ 💬 Ask me anything and get featured on the podcast:  https://theuncommoncareer.com/ask 📆 Ready to talk through your specific job search? Book a call here: https://theuncommoncareer.com/call           ______________________ Patricia Ortega is known for teaching a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over credentials—helping mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster.

Our conversation today walks you through the turning point, the "hinge, "that shifts a search from exhaustion and second-guessing into clarity, momentum, and real traction again. Through a story that mirrors what so many professionals experience, this episode explores how awareness, presence, and one focused action can completely change the pace and direction of your search. This space is all about helping you understand where things stall, why motivation dips, and how small but intentional shifts reignite genuine confidence. If the goal is to move from “going through the motions” to feeling fully back in the game, this episode gives you the roadmap.   You’ll learn: ✔︎ The three checkpoints that reveal job search issues ✔︎ Where your search is getting stuck ✔︎ What “the hinge” looks like and how to find yours ✔︎ How one action can create momentum that leads to the offer ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 👋  WELCOME TO THE UNCOMMON CAREER!  Here's a few ways we can get to know each other: 📥 Podcast Roadmap - our best guidance for every stage of your search:  https://theuncommoncareer.com/roadmap 📥 90 Days to the Right Offer: https://theuncommoncareer.com/90   🔍 Learn about our start-to-finish brand development and job search program: https://theuncommoncareer.com/approach   💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn to get targeted resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmortega/ 💬 Ask me anything and get featured on the podcast:  https://theuncommoncareer.com/ask 📆 Ready to talk through your specific job search? Book a call here: https://theuncommoncareer.com/call     ________________________ Patricia Ortega is known for teaching a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over credentials—helping mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster.           .    

The job market may seem daunting, but hidden opportunities await! Discover why the number of applicants isn’t your biggest problem and learn how to stand out by creating tailored presentations for employers. Find out how to leverage AI to express your unique voice instead of sounding generic. Plus, shifting from quantity to quality in your applications can lead to better results. This insightful discussion offers fresh perspectives to help you navigate your job search with confidence!

  In this episode, explore the concept of unlearning silence with Elaine Lin Herring, a faculty member at Harvard Law and a bestselling author. Elaine discusses her book 'Unlearning Silence' and shares the toll of societal and personal expectations on our lives, particularly for women and immigrants. She delves into the importance of finding one's voice, understanding personal needs, and making intentional choices for a more aligned and fulfilling life. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, she offers practical advice for overcoming self-doubt, utilizing our unique talents, and creating a life that's truly yours.   Timestamps 01:14 The Burden of Expectations & Breaking Free from the Past 07:41 Rediscovering Your Voice, the Power of Self-Expression 14:56 The Journey to Unlearn Silence 27:37 Navigating Life's Uncertainties & Embracing Possibilities Amidst Challenges 30:06 Reevaluating Career Paths & The Importance of Market Awareness 31:55 Balancing Gratitude and Ambition, Exploring New Opportunities 40:10 Strategic Silence and Intentional Choices   About Elaine Lin Hering Elaine Lin Hering is a speaker, facilitator, and former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. She works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She has worked on six continents and facilitated executive education at Harvard, Dartmouth, Tufts, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. She has served as the Advanced Training Director for the Harvard Mediation Program and a Managing Partner for a global leadership development firm. She has worked with coal miners at BHP Billiton, micro-finance organizers in East Africa, mental health professionals in China, and senior leadership at the US Department of Commerce. Her clients include American Express, Chevron, Google, Nike, Novartis, PayPal, Pixar, and the Red Cross. She was named a Thinkers50 global management thinker to watch and is the author of the USA Today Bestselling book Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully (Penguin). Connect with Elaine Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn Subscribe to Elaine's Newsletter    _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me 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 highlights the critical importance of small details in job interviews and how mastering those can significantly affect the outcome. She shares a personal anecdote demonstrating how a simple 30-second oversight can have lasting consequences and applies this lesson to interview preparation. Patricia provides actionable advice on how to identify and leverage personal strengths by reflecting on past industries, experiences, skills, and unique qualifications. Furthermore, she emphasizes the need for thorough preparation for responses, particularly the 'tell me about yourself' answer, and offers guidance for ensuring these answers highlight relevant strengths confidently and clearly.    We'll Talk About: 00:00 The 30-Second Interview Game Changer 01:51 Identifying Your Strengths 04:03 Crafting Your 'Tell Me About Yourself' Response 05:06 Practice Until You Can't Get It Wrong 06:04 Taking Action: Preparing for Your Interview 06:51 Final Thoughts and Next Steps   _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me Connect with me on LinkedIn From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist Click here to learn about coaching _________________________________________________________________ Referenced Materials Episode #110: How to Structure and Draft Your Tell Me About Yourself Response

  In this episode, Julianna and Patricia delve into the sensations and realities of feeling stuck, especially in one's career. They discuss common signs and symptoms of this stuckness, including the physical and mental manifestations during coaching sessions. The conversation covers the impact of procrastination, the power of coaching, and the importance of finding the right coach for your needs. Practical advice is offered on identifying and overcoming stuck points, ultimately aiming to guide listeners towards achieving their optimal performance.   We'll Talk About: 00:33 Understanding the Feeling of Being Stuck 02:10 The Loop of Learning and Procrastination 04:08 Signs of Being Stuck 08:24 The Coaching Process and Overcoming Stuckness 29:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   __________________________________________ Connect with Me Connect with me on LinkedIn From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist Click here to learn about coaching\ Connect with Julianna: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Newsletter signup⁠

  In this episode, Patricia shares valuable advice on job searching, focusing on the importance of clarity, creating effective resumes, and writing authentic cover letters. The episode emphasizes learning from recent job seekers' experiences, the necessity of slowing down the application process to refine materials, and the significance of aligning resumes and cover letters with employer needs. Key highlights include avoiding 'chaos applying,' understanding the true meaning of authenticity, and the importance of tailoring resumes to solve hiring managers' problems.    We'll Talk About: 00:27 The Importance of Clarity in Job Search 02:58 Crafting an Authentic Cover Letter 05:33 Tailoring Your Resume for the Reader 08:48 Avoiding Common Resume Pitfalls   _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me 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, join career coaches Janine and Patricia have an insightful coffee chat about their personal journeys of leaving law and tenure to embrace new careers. They share the importance of redefining success, the challenges faced during transitions, and the strategies they've learned. The conversation touches on entrepreneurship, mindset, and the unexpected growth that comes with making a significant career change.    Timestamps 01:08 Janine's Journey from Law to Coaching 05:49 Patricia's Academic Background and Career Shift 09:54 Navigating Identity and Career Changes 23:43 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Skills 25:19 Being the CEO of Your Career 26:58 Navigating Challenges and Mindset Shifts   About Janine Esbrand Janine Esbrand is a career strategist & executive coach helping high-achieving professionals step into impactful leadership roles with clarity, intention, and strategy. A former corporate lawyer, she draws on a decade of legal experience and her Career Change Maker™ framework to guide emerging leaders toward roles that align with their strengths, values, and long-term goals—unlocking both personal fulfillment and organizational impact.  Connect with Janine Check out The Career Change Maker Connect with Janine on LinkedIn Subscribe to the Career Navigator    _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me Connect with me on LinkedIn From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist Click here to learn about coaching

Discover why networking trumps blind applications in the job hunt. Learn how referrals and personal connections are the keys to securing interviews. Patricia reveals common mistakes people make, like overanalyzing their outreach. Understand how to approach networking as a genuine connection rather than a sales pitch. Overcome your fears of cold outreach with simple, actionable steps, and hear inspiring stories of transformation. Start with just one conversation this week to kickstart your networking journey!

  In this episode, Patricia highlights common resume mistakes made by mid-level professionals, emphasizing the importance of measuring value over word count. Learn keys in transforming detailed job descriptions into value-packed stories that delineate specific outcomes and impacts. Lastly, learn how to translate and focus on results rather than tasks while using quantifiable proof and ensuring every word on the resume is purposeful.    We'll Talk About: 00:37 Why Resumes Fail 01:54 Crafting a Value-Packed Resume 04:43 Signs Your Resume Needs Improvement 11:38 Steps to Transform Your Resume 18:00 Making Your Resume Stand Out   _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me Connect with me on LinkedIn From Zero Responses to Multiple Offers: Download The 5 Essential Steps Checklist Click here to learn about coaching