Mac Prichard's Blog, page 5

Create Your Own North Star: Jenny Mack-Christensen Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Jenny Mack-Christensen, Digital Marketing Manager at Dr. Martens, shares how mapping out her needs ahead of searching and applying for different roles helped her create a North Star.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I work in partner marketing and am currently managing the affiliate marketing program for Dr. Martens. 

How long did it take you to find this job?

I searched for 3-4 months before finding this role.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

Although I actively checked job boards like Mac’s List, Ladies Get Paid, and Remote Woman, I spotted this job listing on LinkedIn. A key tactic to help with finding the role was reaching out to the recruiter and leaving them a personal note. We had actually met at a networking event years prior and I took the opportunity to reconnect and express interest in the position. I think that helped me to land my initial interview.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

The most difficult part of my job search was not knowing where I’d wind up or how long it would take me to get there. Along with many others during the pandemic, I lost my job and found myself without stability in my professional life. Ultimately, I saw this as an opportunity for growth and believed I could find something that would help support my long-term goals and aspirations. But, not knowing the outcome of my situation definitely created some anxious moments in my job search. It was helpful to have my family, friends, and professional community believe in my ability to find a fulfilling job, but the real thing that helped me overcome my nerves was me; I practiced self-affirmations almost daily to help me stay positive and optimistic about the job search process.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

For job-seekers looking for advice, I have two tips. First, I believe it’s extremely important to figure out what it is you’re looking for and believe that you deserve to find exactly that. And I’m not talking job titles and duties. I think the things that don’t make it on to the job description usually have a greater impact on the relationship you develop with your work. For me, that meant working remotely, having the autonomy to perform my duties as I see fit (no micromanagers please!), a robust benefits package and the support to prioritize my family and personal life when need be.

When I first started my job search, someone once compared this process to ordering a sandwich. This piece of advice I’ll never forget; she said: you’ll need to know what you’d like on your sandwich before placing your order. And she was right; mapping out my needs ahead of searching and applying for different roles helped create a North Star for me. During the interview process, I made sure to feel out what the role had to offer as far as what I knew I needed. Ultimately, this was an exercise in creating and upholding my boundaries that definitely paid off in the end.

Second, and this may sound cliché but, you are not in this alone; activating your network or dedicating time to grow your professional community is extremely helpful when searching for your next role. I equally prioritized my time submitting job applications as I did setting up informational chats with folks already in my network or those that I wanted to connect with. I learned so much from those conversations and wound up with my connections sending me job openings and helping keep an eye out for suiting positions.

Why do you love your job?

Above all else, I just love the people I work with. Everyone is so dedicated to their work (while being creative and having fun), which inspires me to continue learning and doing my job to the best of my ability. Additionally, I’m incredibly grateful to have a manager that gives me the amount of autonomy I need in my role to truly flourish. I’m trusted to do my job how I want to, and that is so motivating to me. I also appreciate that my team is encouraged to try new things, which means I’m surrounded by folks who aren’t afraid to make mistakes or fail. There’s always something to learn from testing new approaches. Plus, I love shoes and being part of the shoe biz is super fun!

The post Create Your Own North Star: Jenny Mack-Christensen Job Search Success Story first appeared on Mac's List.

The post Create Your Own North Star: Jenny Mack-Christensen Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Create Your Own North Star: Jenny MacKaben’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Jenny MacKaben, Digital Marketing Manager at Dr. Martens, shares how mapping out her needs ahead of searching and applying for different roles helped her create a North Star.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I work in partner marketing and am currently managing the affiliate marketing program for Dr. Martens. 

How long did it take you to find this job?

I searched for 3-4 months before finding this role.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

Although I actively checked job boards like Mac’s List, Ladies Get Paid, and Remote Woman, I spotted this job listing on LinkedIn. A key tactic to help with finding the role was reaching out to the recruiter and leaving them a personal note. We had actually met at a networking event years prior and I took the opportunity to reconnect and express interest in the position. I think that helped me to land my initial interview.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

The most difficult part of my job search was not knowing where I’d wind up or how long it would take me to get there. Along with many others during the pandemic, I lost my job and found myself without stability in my professional life. Ultimately, I saw this as an opportunity for growth and believed I could find something that would help support my long-term goals and aspirations. But, not knowing the outcome of my situation definitely created some anxious moments in my job search. It was helpful to have my family, friends, and professional community believe in my ability to find a fulfilling job, but the real thing that helped me overcome my nerves was me; I practiced self-affirmations almost daily to help me stay positive and optimistic about the job search process.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

For job-seekers looking for advice, I have two tips. First, I believe it’s extremely important to figure out what it is you’re looking for and believe that you deserve to find exactly that. And I’m not talking job titles and duties. I think the things that don’t make it on to the job description usually have a greater impact on the relationship you develop with your work. For me, that meant working remotely, having the autonomy to perform my duties as I see fit (no micromanagers please!), a robust benefits package and the support to prioritize my family and personal life when need be.

When I first started my job search, someone once compared this process to ordering a sandwich. This piece of advice I’ll never forget; she said: you’ll need to know what you’d like on your sandwich before placing your order. And she was right; mapping out my needs ahead of searching and applying for different roles helped create a North Star for me. During the interview process, I made sure to feel out what the role had to offer as far as what I knew I needed. Ultimately, this was an exercise in creating and upholding my boundaries that definitely paid off in the end.

Second, and this may sound cliché but, you are not in this alone; activating your network or dedicating time to grow your professional community is extremely helpful when searching for your next role. I equally prioritized my time submitting job applications as I did setting up informational chats with folks already in my network or those that I wanted to connect with. I learned so much from those conversations and wound up with my connections sending me job openings and helping keep an eye out for suiting positions.

Why do you love your job?

Above all else, I just love the people I work with. Everyone is so dedicated to their work (while being creative and having fun), which inspires me to continue learning and doing my job to the best of my ability. Additionally, I’m incredibly grateful to have a manager that gives me the amount of autonomy I need in my role to truly flourish. I’m trusted to do my job how I want to, and that is so motivating to me. I also appreciate that my team is encouraged to try new things, which means I’m surrounded by folks who aren’t afraid to make mistakes or fail. There’s always something to learn from testing new approaches. Plus, I love shoes and being part of the shoe biz is super fun!

The post Create Your Own North Star: Jenny MacKaben’s Job Search Success Story first appeared on Mac's List.

The post Create Your Own North Star: Jenny MacKaben’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Focusing in on What Matters Most to You: Jen Scott’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Jen Scott, PR Director at Grady Britton, shares how she focused on working for a mission-driven company.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

My career has been in integrated marketing and communications for a variety of agencies and brands. Currently, I serve as the Public Relations Director for Grady Britton, a values-based, full-service branding agency in Portland.

How long did it take you to find this job?

It took a year after I was laid off from my previous position during the pandemic. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the time I needed to reflect on my previous experiences, hone in on what specifically I was looking for, and find the right job for me. 

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

I did the usual things like viewing job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, Mac’s List) and finding connections through my network to companies I was interested in. One trend that started during this period was that more and more employers were willing to hire remote candidates, enabling me to expand my search geographically. The downside of this is that I was now competing with candidates from all over the US.

The way I found my job was through a recruiter, the wonderful Susan Towers at Boly Welch, who was looking for Grady Britton’s next PR Director. It also helped that I had met Paige Campbell, president and co-owner of GB, so we had a starting point for our discussions about the position. The rest is history!

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

Job hunting during the pandemic was much different than any other time I’ve done it. Networking was difficult because events were still shut down and most people were working from home. Interviews had to be conducted virtually and if I made it to the final stages and scored an in-person meeting, we all wore masks, making it difficult to read peoples’ faces and connect.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

It was a looooong year of unemployment and I went through periods of disappointment and frustration. You will get discouraged. What got me through was focusing on what I wanted and not getting distracted by offers that could have supplied a paycheck but didn’t meet my other criteria. By resisting that temptation, I was available and open to the Grady Britton opportunity when it came along.

Why do you love your job?

Returning to an agency environment after working in-house for several years was actually pretty seamless because I chose the right agency. I have been fortunate in my career to work for mission-driven companies and it’s this commitment to values-led business that attracted me to Grady Britton, Portland’s first Certified B Corp creative agency. GB is also independent, woman-owned, and selective about the clients we serve. It’s filled with good kind people doing smart creative work – making the tough year of searching worth it in the end!

The post Focusing in on What Matters Most to You: Jen Scott’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

How Tapping into Freelance Talent Can Help You Overcome the Labor Shortage

Our relationship with work has transformed over the past few years. Remote, hybrid, and flexible arrangements are here to stay, with the freelance workforce growing three times faster than the traditional workplace. By 2027, more than 50 percent of the U.S. workforce will be freelance.

As we continue to navigate a labor shortage, employers are broadening their talent pool by tapping into freelance talent. If you’re interested in creating a blended workforce by incorporating skilled freelancers, here are some reasons behind the shift to freelance work, the benefits of working with freelance talent, and tips for maintaining good relationships with freelancers.

Why Workers are Opting to FreelanceAutonomy and Flexibility

In the wake of COVID-19 and The Great Resignation, employees are reevaluating their relationship with work. Freelancing enables them to have a flexible schedule and gain autonomy over their careers. 

Diversified Income 

Highly skilled workers are increasingly not interested in working for one company full-time. Going freelance enables them to work part-time or on a contractual basis for multiple clients. 

Schedule and Location Independence

Freelancers get to determine their workload and select projects that are meaningful to them. Without the meetings and office time of a full-time job, freelancers can set their own schedules and work from anywhere. 

The Benefits of Hiring FreelancersExpand Your Talent Pool with Specialized Talent

When employers open opportunities to freelancers, they can access a global talent pool to find specific skills and qualifications. Because of their expertise, freelancers are often able to deliver high-quality work on an expedited timeline.

Effectively Manage Labor Costs

Hiring a freelancer allows companies to reduce overhead costs, such as onboarding and benefits, without sacrificing work quality. A freelancer can take on project-based work that doesn’t require a full-time employee and help build efficiency within the company.

Bring in a Fresh Perspective

With their diverse work backgrounds, freelancers can bring innovative ideas to their work. They become instrumental team members who can help companies think outside the box and change how things have traditionally been done.

How to Tap into Freelance Talent and Maintain Good RelationshipsRethink How You Organize Your Workforce

Start by thinking beyond the traditional 40-hour workweek and developing a business strategy for partnering with freelancers. Ask your team for referrals and review portfolios and testimonials. 

Retention is Key

Just like you would with a full-time employee, think about how you hold onto people. Treat freelancers equitably with your full-time workers. Offer part-time employee status, a competitive salary, and equitable, prorated benefits. Include freelancers in your team culture and provide onboarding and resources for them.

Maintain Strong Communication

Clearly delineate tasks with a job description, pay rate, hours expected, and skills needed. Establish a regular check-in to connect about projects and ensure freelancers have everything they need to be successful in their work. 

 

The post How Tapping into Freelance Talent Can Help You Overcome the Labor Shortage appeared first on Mac's List.

Keep an Eye on Your Dream Organization: Shelby Danzer’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Shelby Danzer , Associate Director of Development for the University of Oregon , shares how she fulfilled her dream of working for her alma mater.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I work in higher education fundraising, raising money to support academic programs and scholarships. My introduction to this field was as a phonathon caller in college at UO. Since then, I have worked in both major giving and annual giving, working with donors one-on-one and fundraising for small donations from large audiences. I currently work for the University of Oregon as an Associate Director of Development.

How long did it take you to find this job?

I only applied to this job during my job hunt. The process from application to offer took about three months, but this was the third time I had applied for a job at the University of Oregon in three years. I had known since graduating that I wanted to come back and work for my alma mater one day, so I was always looking for openings. I got in the habit of checking their website every so often, and although I wasn’t actively looking for a new job when I stumbled across this one, I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

I struggled with knowing whether I even felt ready for a new job. There were many parts of my job that I really loved at my previous organization. When I ultimately gave my notice, I even cried with my boss! Change can be hard, and the job search process can be disheartening. There were points when I felt it might be easier just to stay where I was and make it work. When I accepted the offer for my current position, I still felt some uncertainty, but I had some great professional mentors who encouraged me to take a chance. This role represented a step forward in my career trajectory. Despite the anxiety that came with making a big change, I’m so glad I landed here.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

The best piece of advice I can offer is to keep a short list of dream organizations to work for. Check their job boards a few times a year – even if you don’t plan to leave your current job any time soon. You don’t want to miss out on what could be your dream job just because the timing isn’t perfect! It can also expose you to the different types of roles available in your desired field and give you an idea of what to look for when you are in an active search. I believe that the more you keep yourself in a semi-active job search mode, the less work you will have to do when you finally do decide to make a change.

Why do you love your job?

I love working in development because it lets me utilize skills that are well-suited to a sales-oriented environment while doing mission-driven work that serves the greater good. On top of that, it is so rewarding talking to people who are passionate about their University of Oregon education and who love being involved in the UO community. I am an alum with deep ties to the university, and I couldn’t imagine a more fun job than hearing stories from folks who find community in the same place that I do.

The post Keep an Eye on Your Dream Organization: Shelby Danzer’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

How to Overcome a Lack of Career Clarity: Jasmin Huila’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search story, Jasmin Huila , a Community Outreach Coordinator at Mid-Columbia Medical Center , explains how she had to overcome her lack of career clarity to find her dream job.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

My career is being a public health professional. I love public health because it is community and systems-level focused on improving population health. Currently, I work at a rural hospital called Mid-Columbia Medical Center (MCMC). Working for MCMC was a big goal of mine because it’s a healthcare system that has a huge presence in the community it serves so I knew it was a place I could make a positive impact. As a Community Outreach Coordinator, I have been immersed in coordinating COVID-19 vaccine clinics for migrant and seasonal farmworkers while also assisting with other community-focused programs. 

How long did it take you to find this job?

I graduated from college in June 2020 and ever since, I have been on the lookout for the perfect job. It took me about a year and a half to find this job. Prior to my current job, I had two different jobs but something deep down within me knew there was something else out there waiting for me.

When I saw an opening for a Community Outreach Coordinator at MCMC, it seemed like a natural alignment towards my professional goal, which was to pave my way in the field of public health, especially at a time when the field was in high demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

I found my current job while browsing the Indeed.com app.  At the time, I was ironically working for an organization that helped individuals find jobs and that offered resume assistance, so the knowledge I learned proved helpful when I began my job search journey. 

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

As an individual who wants to do meaningful and purposeful work, it was difficult for me to find a role that aligned with what was important to me. In the span of one year, I already had two different jobs. At one point, it seemed like I was just moving from job to job. It wasn’t a good feeling, but I realized it was the lack of career guidance and clarity that made me feel that way. Luckily, there was a plethora of online resources that helped me narrow down what it was that I looked for in a job. Indeed.com has a resource called Job Cast and that is where I came across a video called “Choosing Your Ideal Career: Jumpstart Your Journey to Your Dream Job.” This video was a game-changer for me. 

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Advice that I would give job seekers would be two words: patience and consistency. The job search journey can be a rather long and daunting one; however, it’s important to remain patient with the process, especially when we are rejected for a position because it is ultimately a redirection to something greater and better. It’s also important to stay consistent when it comes to searching or browsing for jobs because the labor market is constantly changing. 

Lastly, another piece of advice is to connect with a mentor that you can trust and ask for career guidance. My college mentor reviewed my resume and offered great feedback on how to make my resume more engaging, so much so that it has been complimented by multiple people. 

Why do you love your job?

I love my job because I can work with Latinx migrant and seasonal farmworkers, a community dear and near to my heart (I grew up in a farm-working household). Additionally, I conduct community outreach so it’s fun to meet community members and collaborate with other community partners to serve our local community. I’ve also had a lot of opportunities to dive into different community programs and build relationships with external community partners.

The post How to Overcome a Lack of Career Clarity: Jasmin Huila’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Leveraging LinkedIn: Jesse Friedman’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Jesse Friedman , director of product marketing for Tremendous , shares how his detailed LinkedIn profile led to an incredible new opportunity.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I’m a product marketer, which means I try to figure out how to match what a company’s offerings can do with what people need through research, storytelling, and influencing the development process. I work at Tremendous, a platform that businesses use to make one-off payments to individuals around the world.

How long did it take you to find this job?

The simple answer is, no time at all, it found me. But in a broader sense, it took four and a half years since I left a long-term role at Google, with three freelancing stints and two less-than-a-year jobs, to find somewhere great. 

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

Believe it or not, I was found on LinkedIn by an AI bot. The message it sent was clever in that it pulled a few details out of my profile to feel personalized. I suppose it was crucial that my LinkedIn was richly detailed, with detailed descriptions of every role I’ve had over my 15-ish year career. Something in the words I used was enough to signal to the bot that I was worth sending a message.

Of course, once I got this message, which promised a title bump at a company that seemed too good to be true, I did whatever research I could to confirm they were legit. That was actually difficult because their marketing wasn’t great (hence why they were hiring marketers!), but I found enough to satisfy my skepticism.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

I was seven months into my job at the time, and I was growing increasingly frustrated with the work environment. I’d just received a middling performance review with a paltry pay increase, because I was struggling to perform the politics required of the company. But my wife was four months pregnant with our second kid, and the search that led me to this job had taken half a year. I felt constrained to grin and bear it until we’d gotten through the pregnancy and (disappointingly short) parental leave.

My hiring manager at Tremendous later told me that his biggest hesitation in hiring me was precisely that: ending up in a situation that seemed so ill-suited for my strengths and interests cast doubt on my self-knowledge. Thank goodness he, and that bot, saw more in my potential than in my present situation.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers? 

These days, especially in tech, your LinkedIn profile is often more important than your resume. So spend the time it takes to make it a great reflection of who you are and what you’ve done, and in particular pay attention to using words and phrases that recruiters might be searching for. 

The great thing about LinkedIn is you can optimize for both readability and searches. For human readers, the about section at top is a freeform spot to project your personality, there are ample locations to upload or link to work you’d like to show off, and testimonials are easy to request and make you look great. And for searchers and bots, you can go deep within each role you’ve had to list technologies, skills, and results you’ve been a part of, and don’t sleep on tags, skills, and other structured data.

If that sounds really daunting, pay someone to do it. The investment of a few hundred dollars could pay off a higher salary and/or ending up somewhere you enjoy better.

Why do you love your job?

Tremendous is extraordinarily intentional about its work environment — low-meeting, high-documentation, low-process, high-trust. It suits my personality so well and affords me the flexibility to be a more active parent. It also really helps that customers absolutely love our product, with the biggest complaint being that they didn’t start using us sooner.

The post Leveraging LinkedIn: Jesse Friedman’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Managing Expectations: Kellie Gordon’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Kellie W. Gordon, Senior Recruitment Marketing Consultant for Northwest Permanente, shares how she learned to manage expectations during her job search and focus on her goal of working for a B Corp organization. 

What do you do for a career? 

I work in Marketing and Communications, Brand, and External Affairs for a physician-led multi-specialty medical group.

Who do you work for?

I work for Northwest Permanente.

How long did it take you to find this job? 

I was actively seeking a full-time position for nearly a year.

How did you find your job? 

I found my job on Mac’s List.

What resources did you use? 

I used Mac’sList, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. I also hired a career coach, Dalena Bradley, to help me polish my resume and prepare for panel interviews.

What tool or tactic helped the most? 

I believe the blog and podcast content on Mac’s List, combined with the tips from Dalena Bradley, made the most difference in my search. It was important to me to work for a B Corp or a company that was at least acting like a B Corp, so as a fellow B Corp, Mac’s List was a key part of my job search.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? 

The most challenging part of my search was the number of times I came very close to an offer, or so it seemed, but did not receive it. Three times, I interviewed with at least seven different managers or team members over eight to 12 weeks, and then I’d hear nothing after that “last interview.”  I did a “take-home assignment” for a few positions that required several hours of my time. One of those assignments was creating a comms plan that I have since seen being executed by the company. That didn’t leave me with a positive impression of the organization. Especially since the position was still open when the plan I delivered was clearly being executed, and I didn’t hear any feedback about the plan or position afterward.

How did you overcome this challenge? 

I overcame this challenge by trying to spin the news positively. I knew must perform reasonably well in interviews if I kept advancing in the process, even if I did not get the offer. And in the case of organizations that asked a lot of the candidates without offering feedback (like the comms plan), I didn’t want to work for a company like that anyway. It told me they probably take advantage of their employees as well. In the case of the organization that required eight interviews that spanned five months, I was left feeling that decision-making must be an issue there, or perhaps a manager’s fear of hiring the wrong candidate.

I’ve worked for organizations that lead with fear in the past, which wasn’t something I was willing to pursue any longer. So, I began to view the hiring process as the first true indication of culture – in which case this continued delay of decision-making was merely information. I also began to see the search as a numbers game. Each rejection or “ghosting” led me closer to the end goal. But it wasn’t always easy to remain optimistic, that’s for sure.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?  

Manage expectations. Expect that the search will require more effort than sending out a few resumes and waiting for responses. Always write a cover letter, even when it is “optional” – especially if the position is a comms position. And be prepared to answer questions about your job history directly and succinctly, but in a way that offers the interviewer insight into how you can help them. 

Why do you love your job? 

Well, I am working for a B Corp organization, which was a goal. And I love that. Certified B Corps prioritize people and the planet in a way most companies don’t. It feels good to work with like-minded people when it comes to topics like climate change and environmental impact, as well as health equity and other social justice issues.

As for the day-to-day, I love partnering with a dedicated team of recruiters and talented communications professionals to brand Northwest Permanente as the exceptional employer it is. Recruiting physicians is extremely challenging right now for a whole host of reasons, but I enjoy thinking of creative ways to meet that challenge. I also enjoy hearing about the success stories, knowing that our efforts have indirectly had a positive impact on quality health care by ensuring that the best physicians are hired to take care of patients.

From a culture perspective, I value the collegiality of the teams I work with. People are responsive, helpful, informed, and engaged. We are all working toward the same goal, even if we sometimes have different ideas of how that goal might best be met. And the opportunities for continued education and professional development are quite relevant and valuable to me. 

I also love working for an organization that values its staff and shows it in meaningful ways – like regular professional recognition, competitive compensation, quality healthcare benefits, generous PTO, and retirement contributions better than I’ve ever seen, including a pension. Yes, I said pension!

The post Managing Expectations: Kellie Gordon’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Creating a Meaningful Life: Jessica Ventura’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Jessica Ventura, Legislative Director for Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, shares how she has created a meaningful career path.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I am extremely fortunate to work for Secretary of State Shemia Fagan as her Legislative Director. I oversee the Secretary’s legislative agenda and represent the four Divisions she leads: Archives, Audits, Elections, and Corporation. My role is to advocate on behalf of our agency and execute the Secretary’s mission and vision for Oregon. As the Secretary’s lead lobbyist, I work closely with agency staff to analyze bills and provide non-partisan information on how proposed legislation impacts our agency.

One of my main roles is to present technical information in front of committee hearings and meet with legislative members. I have spent over a decade learning how to navigate the legislative process, spending seven years at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) in a similar role. Prior to ODE, I worked in the legislature for Rep. Gallegos. My legislative career actually started when Senator Burdick offered me an internship in 2010. 

How long did it take you to find this job? 

I was not actively searching for a new role when this position opened. I loved working for the ODE but when the position was posted for SoS Fagan, my gut told me it was time to move on and grow. I was at a place in my career where I could take my time and be intentional about my next steps.

This allowed me to take a step back, look at my journey in the legislature, and figure out how I wanted to structure my family life and work. It took about three months to go through the hiring process—two interview panels with the Secretary and Chief of Staff having a final say. I was pretty shocked to receive the offer in late September. 

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

My current role was posted in several places. I saw it on the Oregon State Workday website and in closed private, professional groups on Facebook, such as Professionals of Color and Oregon Wonk and Hacks. It was helpful to see it posted in several places because it kept popping up on my various social media accounts.

But to get more information about this role and clarify what skills were essential to the Secretary and her team, I did it the old fashion way. I called trusted mentors I knew working in the Secretary of State’s office to determine if I was the right candidate.  

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

The most challenging part was deciding to apply. I was not looking for a new position but knew in my heart I was ready for a new challenge. It took me a while to make peace with the fact that after seven years of dedicating my life to education equity and policy, it was time to move on and apply what I had learned to a new policy area. It was difficult to envision working at another agency. I also struggled a bit with imposter syndrome and was unsure if I was the right candidate for the job.

As a queer Latinx woman, I also had to think about what sort of systemic biases or barriers I would face in making the transition. Systemic bias exists and the current infrastructure is not built to create equitable spaces for Latinas or other people of color. After speaking with many people who knew me personally and gave me the necessary encouragement to apply, I worked on my materials and submitted my application. 

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Remember that a job is not the only thing that gives life meaning. For a long time, I thought I needed to build my life around my career. Society drills into our brains that working hard and putting in the hours will bring us fulfillment. As the first to graduate in my family, I thought pulling myself by the “bootstraps” was the way to approach life.

But over time, I have learned that your career is not everything. You have to define what gives meaning to your life. For me, it has been our children. I have a lot of privilege now and know how extremely fortunate I am to work for a Secretary who encourages us to center our children and families and work around their needs. This allowed me to dedicate myself to my career in a way I had not done before. 

Why do you love your job? 

I learned early on that one of the ways I could create meaningful and positive change was to impact policies at the systems level. My job allows me to think creatively and strategically about passing legislation and allows me to collaborate with a diverse group of people. I work with legislative members, their staff, other lobbyists, partner organizations, and the Secretary herself!

As an undocumented student in Portland, I never thought I would get an opportunity to help pass legislation as a career. I feel respected, seen, and heard in my current job, which means a lot to me. I feel an immense privilege, responsibility, and honor to be able to do this work.

The post Creating a Meaningful Life: Jessica Ventura’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Working with a Professional: Aaron Kier’s Job Search Success Story

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market! In this job search success story, Aaron Kier, Director of Employee Experience & Inclusion at Act-On Software, shares how he worked with a professional to create a strong and polished resume.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

An elevator pitch for what I do is tough — essentially, if it touches the everyday experience people have working in the company and the culture that surrounds them, my hands should be on it in some way. I’m an advisor, a strategist, a change agent, and an advocate. Depending on the size of the team and the scope of the initiatives I’m working on, I can also be the project lead, communications manager, procurement specialist, sales rep, and so on.

Getting to this place in my career has been an interesting journey. I started in agency recruiting and account management and was eventually promoted into a position managing learning and development. When I moved to an in-house talent role, I got to take on diversity and inclusion strategies, an onboarding program, a performance review structure, and an equity-first professional development initiative. Connecting the dots and creating a cohesive through-line for this range of people programs was the work that became the foundation for my holistic approach to employee lifecycle strategy.

I currently work as Director of Employee Experience & Inclusion at Act-On Software. The role and the initiative are new, so I’m constructing whole cloth and from the ground up. It’s exciting, overwhelming at times, and fulfilling to see the fruits of my labor and make a real impact in such a short span of time.

How long did it take you to find this job?

I suppose the answer is either almost five years, a little over four months, or just two weeks. I knew I was ready for a fresh challenge, but it was a different market, and that initial search was rough. As a result, I took contract gigs and quickly recognized the exponential professional growth it created, so I became quite intentional about each new project I pursued.

Upon ending a contract assignment that wasn’t the right focus for me, I decided I was ready for a broader scope of responsibility and the ability to make a longer-term impact. I doubled my search efforts for a full-time role, and about four months later, I ran across the posting for my current position. Whether it was kismet or just a really astute recruiter, I got a call within about two hours. Two weeks later, I accepted an offer.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

Career coaches are going to be angry with me for saying this, but (especially pre-COVID) I networked like it was my religion and never found the “hidden job market” or any other magic bullet. I made some truly wonderful connections, but those didn’t result in jobs or even real leads.

My novel approach? I searched job boards, set up daily notifications, and applied quickly to everything that fit and sparked my interest. That’s it.

I also worked with someone I trusted and respected to create several versions of my resume, which focused on different roles. With each application I submitted, I customized keywords and rearranged strengths, projects, and duties to align with the posted description. I can’t honestly say whether it made a difference, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

I never stopped applying. Or networking. Or revamping my resume. Over those four years, I submitted more applications than I want to admit. I’d been saying for some time that recruitment and hiring were broken, but I really hadn’t understood the depths of how true that was. It was brutal and incredibly demoralizing to be doing big work as a valued consultant driving broad initiatives where I was coaching C-suite execs, yet I couldn’t find an interview for a full-time role. 

I don’t really think I overcame it — it hurt most every time. The best I could do was to remind myself of all I’d accomplished and that I was damned good at my job, then put it away and start fresh tomorrow.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Work with someone reliable to create a strong and polished resume — someone who’s a good writer but also understands hiring. Pay a professional if you can afford to. Have someone give you feedback and pointers on your interview skills. Once you know those are solid, recognize that job hunting is a crap shoot, and don’t let what happens from then on out shake your confidence. It isn’t you.

In those four months of nearly full-time job hunting, I applied to at least 15 roles that I consider comparable to the one I’m in now. Several rejected me almost immediately; most just never responded. Looking at the exact same experience and qualifications, one person out of 15 understood what I was bringing to the table. Enough so that the extended offer was for a higher level role and above the budgeted salary range.

It only takes one.

Why do you love your job?

I do what I do because I genuinely care about people. My “why” is making people’s lives better. The line about how much of our lives we spend at work is a little worn but true. Our jobs may take up less space in 2022 than they once did, but it’s still a huge time investment. So, how we feel — whether we’re supported and safe and seen, and whether that experience is empowering or toxic — has an enormous impact on people’s success, well-being, and lives away from their desks.

I get to shape that experience by removing roadblocks, improving equity and access, ensuring people have resources and tools for their success, and building leadership approaches that support empowerment and autonomy. When it works, it’s incredible; when it doesn’t, you keep pushing because it’s important. What’s not to love about that?

The post Working with a Professional: Aaron Kier’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.