The Uncommon Career Podcast: Transformative Career Coaching & Job Search Strategies

Navigate your career with The Uncommon Career Podcast. Designed for professionals seeking strategic career moves, this podcast is your compass to success. If you’re a mid-level professional, you’ll have the guidance you need at every phase of your career transition. Hosted by Patricia Ortega, a master’s educated Career Counselor and Transformational Coach, this podcast equips you with laser-focused strategies for your next move. Gain clarity on your career direction, craft a persuasive and influential brand, and harness a competitive edge that sets professionals apart. Patricia’s proven expertise in navigating career crossroads ensures you’re armed with the tools you need to thrive, and expert guests bring practical expertise and insider information. Topics include getting clarity on your career direction; crafting a career story; building career confidence; writing a targeted resume/LinkedIn profile and branding materials; interviewing; and handling negotiations – as well as career growth and advancement strategies. Tune in to The Uncommon Career Podcast for an exclusive look and expert how-to’s of successful career transition and advancement. More information at https://theuncommoncareer.com

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Episodes

6 days ago


 
Listen to today's episode featuring Matthew Pollard, bestselling author of 'The Introvert's Edge to Networking.'
Discover why introverts have a natural advantage in networking, and how even the most introverted can thrive without feeling fake or overwhelmed. Learn the importance of leveraging introverted strengths such as listening and empathy and introduces strategies to authentically network and advance in careers. 
 
Timestamps
02:57 Key Skills for Introverted Networkers
05:23 Matthew Pollard's Personal Journey
10:14 Creating a Unique Professional Identity
16:07 Strategies for Career Advancement
25:14 Evolving Views on Introversion and Leadership
34:21 Final Thoughts and Advice
 
About Matthew Pollard
Known as the Rapid Growth guy, Matthew Pollard is responsible for five multimillion-dollar business success stories, all before the age of 30. His humble beginnings, the adversities he faced, and his epic rise to success show that anyone, with the right motivation and the right strategies, can achieve anything they set their mind to.
Today, Forbes calls him “the real deal,” Global Gurus lists him as a Top 30 Sales Professional, SellingPower Magazine just named him their 2023 Sales Kickoff Speaker of the Year, Sales World Magazine lists him as a Top 50 Speaker, and BigSpeak highlights him as an international Top 10 Sales Trainer.
He’s also the founder of Introvertu.com and the bestselling author of The Introvert’s Edge book series, which has sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages.
Connect with Matthew:
https://matthewpollard.com/theintrovertsedge/book
https://matthewpollard.com/
   _________________________________________________________________
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Tuesday Jun 17, 2025

 
In this episode, discover how to effectively prepare for an interview in just 30 minutes using a simple five-step power prep method.
Learn to set the tone with a strong 'tell me about yourself' story, align your strengths with the job requirements, handle gaps confidently, and ask insightful questions to leave a lasting impression.
Know the importance of strategic preparation and offers further resources for a comprehensive job search and career transitions. 
 
We'll Talk About:
00:56 Step-by-Step Power Prep Guide
01:43 Setting the Tone: Tell Me About Yourself
04:59 Identifying Strengths and Gaps
06:36 Aligning Strengths to Job Needs
08:42 Reframing Gaps 10:29 Asking Insightful Questions
14:45 Conclusion and Final Tips
 
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Episodes Mentioned
Read and Listen to Episode #108 Here
Read and Listen to Episode #110 Here
_________________________________________________________________
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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
 

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025

 
Understand the depth of the challenges and strategies of leading small teams in this episode. Tune in with Patricia and Julianna as they discuss the importance of focusing on quality over quantity, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining morale when resources are limited.
Key topics include the strategic use of AI and outsourcing, renegotiating success criteria with upper management, and fostering a culture of trust, flexibility, and development within smaller teams. Get guidance on how to manage workloads effectively and maintain high team performance. 
 
This episode is part of the Elevated Leadership Series, co-hosted by Julianna Yau Yorgan and Patricia Ortega.
 
We'll talk about:
01:43 Challenges of Shrinking Teams
02:15 Maintaining Morale and Prioritization
06:23 Effective Communication and Expectation Management
08:45 Delegation and Trust Building
12:33 Adapting Leadership Styles
23:29 Decision Making and Protocols 
 
Elevated Leadership
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/
 
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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

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

 
Learn how to approach job interviews with confidence despite lacking certain skills or experience in this episode. Including exploring strategies to pivot your mindset from self-doubt to intellectual potential, and discovering practical techniques for answering tough questions and framing your experience creatively.
This guide emphasizes the importance of curiosity, emotional intelligence, and leveraging transferable skills. By focusing on your ability to learn and adapt, rather than perfectionism, you can transform interview challenges into opportunities to showcase your strengths.
Tune in to realign your interview strategies with a confident and resourceful approach.
 
We'll Talk About:
00:49 Right Mindset: Why You Don't Need to Meet Every Requirement
01:49 Connecting the Dots: Your Skills and Their Needs
02:16 Handling Curveball Questions with Confidence
05:54 Practical Strategies & Breaking Down Complex Tasks
14:53 Leveraging Transferable Skills
18:49 Owning Your Experience and Gaps
 
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Referenced Materials
Read and Listen to Episode #106 Here
Read and Listen to Episode #110 Here
_________________________________________________________________
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
 

Tuesday May 27, 2025


 
In this episode, Patricia and Giselle discuss the importance of getting clear on your next career move. Outline how to overcome the top four mistakes when seeking clarity about a new role, share success stories, and provide actionable steps to build your career strategy. Cover the significance of self-reflection, exploring non-traditional career options, networking effectively, and validating your new career choice.
If you're at a crossroads in your career or looking to pivot, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.
 
Timestamps
01:12 Standing Out in Today's Job Market
01:35 Client Success Stories
05:04 Top Mistakes in Job Searching
07:21 Clarifying Career Goals
09:37 Exploring Career Options
22:49 Validating and Confirming Career Choices
 
About Giselle
Since 2002, Giselle has been driven by a love of guiding individuals through career transitions. It began with volunteering as a mentor at the Jobs Partnership of Florida, and in 2004, this passion led her to a Career Advisor role at DeVry University.While working in this capacity, Giselle pursued an MBA and subsequently spent the next two decades teaching career development principles. Now, with extensive experience in career development she helps educators in transitioning to corporate careers.
  
Connect with Giselle
Connect with Giselle on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisellemoratin/
   _________________________________________________________________
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

Tuesday May 20, 2025

 
Learn the importance of voice delivery in interviews and how it can significantly impact your success. Listen in to learn the three keys to refine your voice — knowing what to look for, preparing your approach, and adjusting your tone. By varying pitch, volume, speed, and inflection, you can make your responses more compelling, memorable, and persuasive.
 
We'll Talk About:
00:21 Preparing for Your Interview
00:40 The Importance of Delivery
02:31 Understanding Tone and Its Impact
05:16 Steps to Improve Your Interview Tone
08:35 Recap and Final Tips
 
_________________________________________________________________
Referenced Materials
Read and Listen to Episode #108 Here
_________________________________________________________________
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
 

Tuesday May 13, 2025

 
In this episode, Patricia and Julianna discuss the importance of planning ahead for your next promotion while settling into a new role.
Understand the benefits of focusing on long-term goals rather than just immediate achievements, and how strategic onboarding can smooth your career transition.
Tune in to learn the value of leveraging relationships, setting boundaries, understanding organizational dynamics, and developing relevant skills. Furthermore, delve into targeted networking, positioning yourself for mentorship, and establishing a solid reputation in your initial 90 days.
 
Listen in for actionable advice on setting career goals, navigating workplace politics, and building strong professional relationships that will set you up for future success. 
 
This episode is part of the Elevated Leadership Series, co-hosted by Julianna Yau Yorgan and Patricia Ortega.
 
We'll talk about:
00:45 Planning Ahead for Your Next Promotion
01:28 Strategic Onboarding and Building Relationships
04:23 The Importance of Learning and People
06:44 Understanding Team Dynamics and Finding Your Unique Contribution
15:05 Networking and Building a Strong Foundation
20:57 Positioning Yourself for Promotion and Mentorship
 
Elevated Leadership
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/
 
__________________________________________
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

Tuesday May 06, 2025

 
Listen in for an in-depth guide to crafting a compelling answer to the common interview question, 'Tell me about yourself.' Learn the two-pronged approach to organizing your response: chronologically, from the initial spark of interest to the desired job, and structurally, from big picture to detailed anecdotes.
Learn vital elements such as repeated name mention, sparking interest, aligning with the big picture, sharing career highlights like a movie trailer, and addressing potential questions and concerns. Lastly, the importance of ending with a memorable encompassing thought and positioning oneself within the hiring company.
(Free template included below for download)
 
We'll Talk About:
00:28 Understanding the 'Tell Me About Yourself' Question
01:01 Drafting Your Response: Step-by-Step Guide
01:26 Organizing Your Response: Chronological and Big Picture
03:00 Starting Strong: Introduce Yourself
06:51 Crafting Your Career Story Preview
10:16 Addressing Questions, Desires, and Concerns
12:58 Concluding Your Response: Encompassing Thought and Positioning
 
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Referenced Materials
Read and Listen to Episode #108 Here
Download the Template: Draft Your Tell Me About Yourself Response
Complementary Episodes
Read and Listen to Episode #106 Here
Read and Listen to Episode #114 Here
_________________________________________________________________
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
 

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025


 
This episode features Patricia Ortega with career expert Giselle Moratin in discussing essential tips for job seekers to enhance their LinkedIn profiles. Highlighting the significance of visibility settings, strategic keyword usage, and showcasing your portfolio and volunteer work, the discussion emphasizes the impact of a well-curated LinkedIn presence. Avoiding negative posts about recruiters or employers and focusing on professional branding are also covered.
Learn to underscore the importance of storytelling through a compelling 'About' section and encourages the use of tools like video resumes and Loom videos to stand out in the job market. 
 
Timestamps
01:12 Standing Out in Today's Job Market
02:28 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
05:36 The Importance of Volunteering
08:36 Personal Branding and Communication Skills
15:06 Common LinkedIn Mistakes to Avoid
21:56 The Power of a Video Resume 
 
About Giselle
Since 2002, Giselle has been driven by a love of guiding individuals through career transitions. It began with volunteering as a mentor at the Jobs Partnership of Florida, and in 2004, this passion led her to a Career Advisor role at DeVry University.While working in this capacity, Giselle pursued an MBA and subsequently spent the next two decades teaching career development principles. Now, with extensive experience in career development she helps educators in transitioning to corporate careers.
  
Connect with Giselle
Connect with Giselle on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisellemoratin/
   _________________________________________________________________
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

Tuesday Apr 22, 2025

 
Delve into creating a compelling 'tell me about yourself' response to make a strong first impression in job interviews. Cover the importance of identifying the core problem you solve for potential employers and aligning your career history with the company's needs. Learn how to form a strategic response that highlights your strengths, accomplishments, and relevance to the job.
Additionally, tune in for tips on anticipating and addressing hiring managers' questions and concerns to build trust and demonstrate your fit for the role. 
 
We'll Talk About:
00:56 Strategizing Your First Impression
01:33 Targeting the Core Problem
03:18 Identifying Key Goals and Outcomes
03:50 Crafting Compelling Career Stories
05:28 Anticipating Employer Questions and Concerns
09:46 Addressing Ageism and Showcasing Your Value
 
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Complementary Episodes
Read and Listen to Episode #110 Here
_________________________________________________________________
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
 

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