The Uncommon Career Podcast: Job Search & Transformative Career Coaching
If you’re a mid-career woman in the job search, you need less effort and more strategy.
Join me to catch your job search blind spots, make internal shifts, and elevate your communications to clear, credible messaging.
Hey there! I’m Patricia.
I help mid-career women get to their ideal next role with more intention and less stress.
On the podcast, you’ll clarify your career direction, understand strategic branding, and experience the same insight-to-action approach I use in my start-to-finish 1:1 career coaching program.
This podcast is especially for you if you:
✔︎ are in a job search or about to start one
✔︎ know how to work hard but want a smarter strategy
✔︎ want momentum in the search, knowing you left nothing on the table
Here’s what we talk about:
🎙️ Job search strategy for mid-career professionals
🎙️ Career clarity, insights, and decision-making
🎙️ Professional branding (resume, LinkedIn, messaging)
🎙️ Interview preparation and interview strategy
🎙️ The thoughts, patterns and habits that accelerate (or stall) your search
🎙️ Identity, confidence, and emotional intelligence under pressure
🎙️ What’s working in today’s job market
🚫 This is not: quick-fixes and career hacks.
🚫 It's also not empty "you can be anything" promises.
It’s instead a practical, insight-driven space where I help you slow down - just a bit - so you can: position yourself well in today's market, leverage strategic communications to experience momentum, and feel the relief of an approach that truly connects
...all using the same approach I coach my 1:1 clients with in our start-to-finish career coaching program.
If you’re a mid-career woman in the job search and you're ready to "slow down to speed up", then you’re in the right place!
💡 Need a Tour Guide?
Start Here: https://theuncommoncareer.com/roadmap
Download the Podcast Roadmap, for our best episodes to help you at every phase of your search.
Happy listening!
~Patricia Ortega, MS
2x Certified Career Coach (BCC/ICF) & Counselor since the 2010 job market downturn.
______________________________
John 15:12 | "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you"
If you’re a mid-career woman in the job search, you need less effort and more strategy.
Join me to catch your job search blind spots, make internal shifts, and elevate your communications to clear, credible messaging.
Hey there! I’m Patricia.
I help mid-career women get to their ideal next role with more intention and less stress.
On the podcast, you’ll clarify your career direction, understand strategic branding, and experience the same insight-to-action approach I use in my start-to-finish 1:1 career coaching program.
This podcast is especially for you if you:
✔︎ are in a job search or about to start one
✔︎ know how to work hard but want a smarter strategy
✔︎ want momentum in the search, knowing you left nothing on the table
Here’s what we talk about:
🎙️ Job search strategy for mid-career professionals
🎙️ Career clarity, insights, and decision-making
🎙️ Professional branding (resume, LinkedIn, messaging)
🎙️ Interview preparation and interview strategy
🎙️ The thoughts, patterns and habits that accelerate (or stall) your search
🎙️ Identity, confidence, and emotional intelligence under pressure
🎙️ What’s working in today’s job market
🚫 This is not: quick-fixes and career hacks.
🚫 It's also not empty "you can be anything" promises.
It’s instead a practical, insight-driven space where I help you slow down - just a bit - so you can: position yourself well in today's market, leverage strategic communications to experience momentum, and feel the relief of an approach that truly connects
...all using the same approach I coach my 1:1 clients with in our start-to-finish career coaching program.
If you’re a mid-career woman in the job search and you're ready to "slow down to speed up", then you’re in the right place!
💡 Need a Tour Guide?
Start Here: https://theuncommoncareer.com/roadmap
Download the Podcast Roadmap, for our best episodes to help you at every phase of your search.
Happy listening!
~Patricia Ortega, MS
2x Certified Career Coach (BCC/ICF) & Counselor since the 2010 job market downturn.
______________________________
John 15:12 | "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you"
Episodes

Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
In this special episode, Patricia shares deeply personal insights into her faith journey, discussing the impact of prayer during tough times and how a leap of faith profoundly transformed her career. Addressing recent global and local tragedies, this segment aims to offer comfort and perspective through a spiritual lens.
Tune in further for a replay of a popular discussion on overcoming job interview nerves and mistakes.
We'll Talk About:
01:11 The Power of Prayer
02:11 Personal Testimony and Career Journey
03:46 Faith and Business: Finding the Balance
19:16 Introduction to Viral Episode
19:49 Job Interview Obstacles: Overcoming Nerves and Anxiety
_________________________________________________________________
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Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
129. Stop Getting Overlooked: What to Do When Your Boss Wont Advocate for You
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Unsure whether or not you're actually being seen at work? In this episode, learn how to recognize when your boss is not advocating for your growth and what steps you can take to advocate for yourself. Highlight the importance of being clear on your career goals, communicating expectations with your boss, and using persuasive communication and marketing principles to make your achievements visible. Also emphasized here is the importance of managing up, understanding interpersonal dynamics, and creating a frictionless advocacy process to ensure your career progression.
We'll Talk About:
00:22 Identifying Red Flags: Signs Your Boss Isn't Advocating for You
01:38 Building Visibility & Managing Expectations
06:21 Effective Communication: Making Your Wins Visible
09:09 Overcoming Resistance: Addressing Hesitations
12:46 Practical Tips: Elevator Pitches and Branding
__________________________________________
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Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
128. Make Bold Career Moves Without Damaging Your Reputation
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
In this episode, discuss how to pursue career growth without damaging professional relationships. Learn strategies for transitioning between roles while maintaining healthy connections, and understand the importance of focusing on people rather than the organization. Tune in further to cover key principles such as expressing your intent to stay in touch, scheduling follow-ups, and providing value through strategic preparation.
We'll Talk About:
00:54 Balancing Growth and Relationships
01:42 Setting Expectations for Career Advancement
02:23 Navigating Transitions with Grace, Focusing on What Matters
08:41 Practical Tips for Smooth Transitions
10:24 Investing in Your Future
_________________________________________________________________
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Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
127. You Got The Job, Now Maximize Your Career Success, with Bryttani Graddick
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Ever thought of mastering your career growth?
In this episode featuring Bryttani Graddick, learn strategies for becoming irreplaceable in your career amid the challenges posed by AI and globalization. Tune in to uncover her flywheel system comprising education, experience, engagement, and excellence, designed to help HR professionals and other career-focused individuals achieve sustained career growth. And lastly, know how to recognize the signs that it's time to elevate one's career, and the importance of internal versus external changes.
Timestamps
00:39 Recognizing the Need to Become Irreplaceable
03:59 Identifying Root Issues in Your Career
05:55 The Importance of Internal and External Changes
08:19 The HR Efficiency Pyramid
18:37 The Four E's Flywheel System
About Bryttani Graddick
Bryttani Graddick is an HR Leadership Career Coach with a heart for serving others. As CEO & Founder of Talented Teams Consulting, LLC, she educates and empowers HR professionals to build their careers on purpose. She started her HR career as an unpaid intern and currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer in the credit union industry. In her executive role, she leads human resources and training/development.
As a lifelong learner, she understands the importance of building skills and abilities to prepare yourself for a fruitful career and positively impact those around you. Currently serving as an Instructor and Education Partner for SHRM, Bryttani believes in continuously building your skills to reach new heights personally and professionally.
When she’s not spending time with her husband, three kids, and family, she dedicates her time to helping other HR leaders fast-track their journeys to build more impact, influence, and income!
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Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
126. Make Strategic Progress for Your Job Search / Career Transition
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
In this episode, consider the importance establishing a solid foundation before diving into a job search, especially for mid to senior-level professionals. Key elements are presented, such as gaining clarity on your target role and developing a unique brand. Learn the pitfalls of outdated job search methods and highlight the need for networking and relationship building. Additionally, dive into insights for avoiding over-optimization, staying high level, and overcoming perfectionism to ensure strategic progress during the job search and career transition process.
We'll Talk About:
00:00 Setting the Foundation for a Successful Job Search
00:51 Understanding the Importance of Branding
05:05 Four Key Strategies for Job Search Success
08:22 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Your Job Search
16:38 The Role of Feedback and Taking Action
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Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
125. Hired but Unhappy - What Happened and What to do Now
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
You got the job you always wanted—so why, to some degree, do you feel unhappy?
In this episode, explore reasons behind this shift including interpersonal challenges, unmet expectations, and changes in job scope or management. Gain insights on whether to stay in the current role or seek a new position, emphasizing personal growth and self-coaching as strategies to overcome perceived challenges.
Lastly, tune in for advice on addressing resume concerns and reframing negative experiences as opportunities for development.
We'll Talk About:
00:32 The Honeymoon Phase and Reality Check
01:18 Exploring the Option to Stay
02:18 Reflecting on Job Search and Values
05:25 Understanding Environmental and Perception Issues
09:23 Self-Coaching, Perspective Shifts, and Next Steps
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Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
124. Career Doubt Detox: Clearing Mental Clutter before Your Big Leap
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
In this episode, explore the concept of cognitive dissonance and its impact on decision-making and motivation. Understand how conflicting beliefs, values, and actions can lead to mental discomfort, procrastination, and inaction.
Learn why our brains often opt for the path of least resistance, and discover strategies for intentionally aligning actions with decisions to overcome internal conflicts.
We'll Talk About:
00:52 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance
03:52 Intentional Choices and Overcoming Procrastination
05:00 Real-Life Scenarios and Solutions
09:27 Moving Toward Desire, Not Away from Fear
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Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
123. Top Networking Tips from Mac Prichard, Host of Find Your Dream Job Podcast
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
In this episode, founder and CEO of Mac's List, Mac Prichard, joins the show to discuss the importance of networking for career advancement. He emphasizes that job seekers should always maintain a strong professional network, even while employed, due to the likelihood of changing jobs several times throughout their careers.
Learn about the hidden job market, and how many positions are filled through referrals rather than job boards. Discover key strategies for effective networking, including joining professional associations, attending conferences, volunteering, and engaging on LinkedIn.
Timestamps
00:30 The Importance of Networking
02:03 Understanding the Hidden Job Market
03:25 Networking Strategies and Tips
09:48 The Power of Volunteering
13:21 Attending Conferences for Networking
15:20 Taking Charge of Your Career
About Mac Prichard
Mac is the Founder and CEO of Mac’s List, the Pacific Northwest’s go-to resource for job seekers who want meaningful, well-matched work. He’s dedicated to helping people find rewarding careers through practical advice, local job listings, and expert insights.
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Episode Mentioned
FYDJ Podcast | Episode 439 | Why Do You Keep Taking the Wrong Job?

Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
122. Identity and Career: You Are More Than What You Do
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Explore the intricate link between work and personal identity in this segment, emphasizing how losing or changing a job can impact one's sense of self. Learn practical activities and reminders to help separate your identity from your job roles, equipping you with the confidence and tools needed to navigate job transitions.
Tune further to learn how to properly reflect on personal growth moments and internal validation, as well as leveraging freedom and agency during career transitions, and taking intentional time for self-reflection and skill development.
We'll Talk About:
01:04 Separating Work from Identity
02:17 Rebuilding and Recognizing Your Value Beyond the Job
03:10 The Toolkit: Taking Your Skills With You
06:27 Strengthening Self-Confidence and Identity
09:30 Learning and Growing During Transitions
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Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
121. Balancing Empathy and Authority
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Struggling with leading with heart? Explore how leaders can maintain authority while leading with empathy in this episode. Learn the importance of striking a balance between being empathetic and making logical business decisions.
Key topics include understanding the emotional impact of business decisions, the role of trust and transparency, and practical strategies to incorporate empathy without compromising authority. Tune in further for real-life examples and actionable insights to help you navigate complex emotional dynamics in workplace settings as a leader.
We'll talk about:
01:07 Defining Authority and Balancing Empathy with Decision Making
04:26 Building Trust and Transparency
07:19 Navigating Emotional Challenges in Leadership
09:03 Practical Examples and Strategies
20:35 Planning for Emotional Impact
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