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

25. A secret weapon & how to use it well: The cover letter

Cover letters are a powerful secret weapon. 
Most candidates don't enjoy writing cover letters, and most recruiters and managers don't enjoy reading cover letters.
Why? Because most cover letters are boring.
In today's episode we'll chat about how to create an attention grabbing cover letter that gives you an opportunity to share your brand and connect - one human to another - before any candidate even schedules an interview. 
This gives you a potential advantage and head start. In the episode, I'll share:
What to include in each paragraph
How the cover letter communicates more than you think
The steps you can take to make the cover letter writing process easy and stress-free
The MOST important part of the process to make a high-impact cover letter
 
Get started:
Download the Career Transition Checklist here
 

23. Salary tips you didn’t know you needed

In this episode we talk about:
A quick recap of salary mindset and research
How to avoid unfulfilled employer promises
Why you have to look beyond the posted salary
Tune to prepare for your next negotiation.
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Get started:
Download the Career Transition Checklist here

22. Money Mindset + Income Snowball with Jenn Trinidad

Where does my money go? How do I get more of it? Christians are to steward our finances well, but sometimes we need a little help. 
If you're asking yourself the "where's my money?" question, this episode is for you! We'll cover:
Ways to stretch your finances while still enjoying your life
The fun, secret way to make side income 
Mindsets that stop us from saving and making more money
Jenn also shares some great money management tips along the way. 
 
Jenn Trinidad is the host of Budget Divas podcast and the founder of budget Divas. She specializes in helping women in her membership program to live on a sustainable budget, decrease their expenses and make more income. And, she walks the walk - Jenn and her husband paid off 90,000$ in debt in four years and 40,000 of that amount was paid off in ONE YEAR.
 
Budget Divas' Mystery Shopping Training:
https://www.budgetdivas.com/mysterytraining
Other links mentioned:
https://www.capitalone.com/bank/savings-accounts/online-performance-savings-account/ 
https://www.ally.com
 
 
Downloads:
Download the Career Transition Checklist here
 

21. Calculate your salary and negotiate your offer

You should never go into salary negotiations without a minimum, fair, and ideal compensation package in mind. In today's episode, I share:
The 4 steps to identify your minimum, fair, and ideal salary offer
Several websites to find salary ranges for your position
5+ factors that may affect your salary range
The one source that gives you the most accurate salary data
Listen in before you apply, interview and accept a mediocre offer at a "good enough" position. 
 
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap

20. Make Faith-driven career and life decisions with Eric Stephens

From a fatherless suicidal young adult to a pastor-podcaster, Eric Stephens's story and guidance is one you're NOT going to want to miss! 
 
We cover: 
A give-you-chills, is-God-real? testimony
Guidance on what to do in those first years as a Christian
How to hear the voice of God
How to live out your faith at work
Making wise work and life decisions
...and so many golden nuggets for your faith walk!
 
Eric Stephens, is an ordained Pastor, Elder, Life Coach, Podcast Host and Founder of Redwood Christian Ministries. He grew up thinking I wasn't accepted or good enough, until in 2012, he came to know the love, acceptance and saving power of Jesus Christ. His passion is to see others not just come alive in Christ but live their life FOR Christ. He uses his testimony coming out of addiction, depression, and a suicide attempt to tell others about the endless love Jesus has for them.
 
 
Redwood Christian Ministries' mission is to inspire followers of Jesus, who then inspire others to follow Jesus. Their vision is to be the Church. They help churches train their leaders, create community outreach programs that are centered around soul winning, as well as providing life coaching and guest speaking.
 
Reach out to Eric and Redwood Christian Ministries at the following links:
 Rooted in Christ
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-in-christ/id1639759640 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCun3rNTplk0rKKQBwsDUtZw 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodCM/ 
  
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap

19. The 5 Salary Mindsets for Faith-based Professionals

You ever feel greedy about negotiating your salary? Well, you can stop feeling greedy, guilty or convicted after this episode. 
If you are a Christian you’ve heard that Jesus wants us to be humble, but humble doesn't mean poor.
In this episode I’ll break down:
The confusion between humility and poverty 
Why you SHOULD negotiate as a Christian
The 5 Faith-based salary mindsets to help you negotiate well
 
The week after next we'll hop into exactly how to calculate the salary range you should aim for during negotiations.
 
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Downloadable Resource:
Career Transition Blueprint: Grab this checklist to simplify your career search
 
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🚨THE CAREER ACADEMY IS NOW OPEN! 🚨
 
Did you know most companies get hiring budgets in January and begin a job posting rush in the first quarter?
 
That's why now is PRIME TIME to:
Get Clarity
Get Confident 
Get HIRED!
 
Get in now! Click below to learn about all the features, benefits, and course contents:
https://theuncommoncareer.com/academy 
 
Use code ACADEMYFOUNDER30 for Founder-only 30% off pricing (grab it while it lasts!)  
 
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Let’s be friends!
Share and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Then, I'd love it if you would rate and review - it’s the best way to support! Click here for the show page to rate/review today.
 
Let’s be friends!
Share and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Then, rate and review - it’s the best way to support!
Click for the Apple Podcasts show page and scroll down to rate/review.
 
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap
5-Step's to God's Will for Your Career: a 5-step process to find and follow your God-given calling
The Bible-based Mindset Fix: A scripture strategy to move past mental battles and turn your faith into action
 
Career coaching packages
The Uncommon Career Academy.
Desktop site: https://theuncommoncareer.com
Mobile site: https://theuncommoncareer.com/lib 
 

18. Paul’s Career God Story + how to get hired in the tech industry

Listen in for a career God story from Paul, a Christian Software Engineering professional  who:
...had med-school aspirations
...earned a chemical engineering degree 
...God redirected into computer programming
Then stay for the second half, where he shares golden nuggets to help you get hired in the tech industry, including:
Why the job "requirements" aren't what they seem 
Websites to help you prepare for Software Engineering interviews
Why "Tech industry" doesn't mean what you think it does
The question you need to be asking before you get too far into your tech journey (and no, its NOT what programming language to learn)
This is a great episode covering lots of ground. Tune in to learn from Paul's wisdom and experience in both the Word of God and the hiring process.
Paul is a Lead Software Engineer at a well-established healthcare company. With 7 years in the tech industry, he's worked in both application development and Big Data within several industries including pharmacy, insurance, banking and now healthcare.
 
Paul says, "I am blessed to be in this industry, and I am a testimony to how God is faithful in your career. I am originally from Kansas City but have moved to Dallas in 2019. I am loving it here in Dallas, and I am excited to see what God has for me in the future!"
 
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap
 
 

17. Three Strengths YOU have as a career changer + The Career Academy is Opening!

“I can’t believe I have to start over…”
“I’ve invested too much in this industry to leave now”
“I don’t want to start at the bottom again”
 
Guess what?! You don’t have to! 
Changing careers can sometimes mean a small dip but rarely does it mean a blank slate. In fact, many times a career change is what makes you exactly the candidate a company is looking for. 
 
You are like a key they need - the one unique key that can open their lock. 
 
Listen in for three strengths you can leverage when you change careers:
 
A skill set no one in the candidate pool has
Leverage your career difference by searching for the gap you can fill in your next season. Are you a teacher hoping to hop into tech? Focus on online education or educational software companies, for example. Are you an engineer switching to social services? Seek out virtual and tech oriented social services companies where you are sure to be an asset and blessing. 
 
A fresh perspective
We’ve all stared at the same widget for so long, it could be backwards and inside down… and we wouldn’t even notice. Use your resume summary and/or cover letter, networking conversations and interview as opportunities to showcase your fresh perspective. Get curious about the product or service you hope to work with and use your newbie perspective to open the committee’s eyes to a gap, hidden opportunity, or a fix they just hadn’t seen.
 
Companies like to do things their way
Years ago, I answered an easy industry question with the wrong answer. And I was hired. I knew my mistake after looking it up post-interview, so I was dumbfounded. Their response? “We liked that you were so green. We need someone we can groom into our way of business.” WOW. How do you leverage this?
Pick up hints in job descriptions
Look for startups (often they want flexible folks who aren’t set in old ways)
Seek out companies that train as part of their onboarding
But...remember this is just a starting point - don’t take yourself out of the running, even if you don’t see one of these hints. 
 
You don’t need to start over. You just need to find the lock your key opens. 
 
THE UNCOMMON CAREER ACADEMY IS OPENING
Want to get ready for those quarter 1 positions? Let's DO IT!
Did you know most companies get hiring budgets in January and begin a job posting rush in the first quarter?
While everyone else is lounging around all through the holidays, HR departments are getting ready to post positions, start interviewing, and hire great candidates.
That's why now is PRIME TIME to:
Get Clarity
Get Confident 
Get HIRED!
The Career Academy is now open for Founding Members!
What is a founding member?
Get the lowest pricing ...ever
Get 1:1 attention at a group coaching price
Pay a fraction of 1:1 coaching cost
All-new content is created around your needs and answers your questions
Cohort 1 is limited to an intimate group of 10-20 Founding Members and will begin the first week in January. 
Get in now! Click here to join 
Use code ACADEMYFOUNDER30 for Founder-only 30% off pricing (but grab it before it's gone!)  
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Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap
5-Step's to God's Will for Your Career: a 5-step process to find and follow your God-given calling
The Bible-based Mindset Fix: A scripture strategy to move past mental battles and turn your faith into action
 
Career coaching packages
The Uncommon Career Academy 
Desktop site: https://theuncommoncareer.com
Mobile site: https://theuncommoncareer.com/lib 
 
 

16. Clarify Your Career Direction in 15 Minutes

 
 
Struggling to find your next career move? Praying about it but don’t see the answer beaming down from heaven (Would’t that be amazing)? That’s ok! God’s guidance comes in many ways, and often, it’s in the action we take that we see His hand.
Here are the 3 simple and practical steps you can focus on this week to gain clarity on your career direction - more detail is in this week’s podcast episode!
 
Reflect on your past experience
(start with work, but include personal experience too). What positions did you enjoy most? Least? What exactly did you like/dislike about them? What like/dislike patterns do you see across your positions? In light of this…what do you think God might be preparing you for? There is no right/wrong answer here, just consider the possibilities.
 
Identify your needs and wants
What are your needs for the salary, location, time commitment, etc.? Needs are “make or break” requirements, so be careful not to mix wants and needs. Once you have your needs list completed, start looking at wants. This is now your wishlist. It can be as big or small as you’d like and can encompass really anything. Your wants list is negotiable, your needs list is not.
 
Then, build on your natural interests
Look at both big picture interests (faith, technology, art, etc) but pay even closer attention to task and project oriented interests (talking with people, solving short term problems, decorating a room, etc.) Look at your past experience from #1 above (what you liked/disliked) to identify interests but go beyond this list. Ask yourself:
When do I get so focused I loose track of time?
What accomplishments am I most proud of?
What activities would I want to volunteer for?
 
We are all habitual creatures, and even when we can’t see patterns in our behaviors, the patterns are there. Discover some of your natural career patterns with the three items above.
During this process, ask The Lord to bring you clarity & peace, and to guide your path as you engage in these practical activities.
He cares about even the smallest parts of your life…and your career, where you spend most of your life, is one of the most important ways that God uses you. 
 
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap
 

15. How to make a career or life transition without getting overwhelmed

In this episode I walk you through the process of making a career or life transition without getting overwhelmed. 
 
I've learned and refined this process through many big decisions, lifestyle changes, and career leaps of faith that the Lord God led me through over the last 15 years. 
 
We’ll chat about:
The role of God-sent angels in the form of friends and mentors
How hiring a coach was one of the best moves I’ve ever made
How a coach will make the difference in any career or life transition
 
We’ll also cover: 
The difference between a mentor and coach
What I do as a coach in terms of both life and career coaching
How coaching drastically accelerates your progress 
How being in a coaching relationships ensures you finish what you set out to do (get hired, or make a life change)
 
I also share how a faith-based coach takes your adventure to a whole new level. 
 
We all have a role to play in the direction of our life. Sometimes a little boost is all we need to make big changes and career leaps of faith. Today I share how coaching can help make that happen. 
 
 
 
Let’s be friends!
Share and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Then, I'd love it if you would rate and review - it’s the best way to support!
Downloadable Resources:
Career Transition Blueprint: a checklist to cut the stress and simplify your career leap
5-Step's to God's Will for Your Career: a 5-step process to find and follow your God-given calling
The Bible-based Mindset Fix: A scripture strategy to move past mental battles and turn your faith into action
Career coaching packages
The Uncommon Career Academy 
Desktop site: https://theuncommoncareer.com
Mobile site: https://theuncommoncareer.com/lib