Hi, I’m Jennifer Kass.
I’m a career coach in Portland Oregon, and my mission is to give you confidence and the tools you need to find a great job, faster.
I have been there. I’ve been a housecleaner, library aide, administrative assistant, fundraiser, market researcher, working student, Fortune 100 corporate employee, caregiver, consultant, and career coach. I’ve been part of a dual-career couple and lived through multiple relocations and career re-inventions as a “trailing spouse” when we had to move across the country multiple times. I have struggled to balance my need to work with my need to help my family. And, I have balanced my desire to make an income with a desire to make a difference and worked across nonprofit, academic, and corporate organizations as a result. I’m now a career coach in Portland Oregon.
I have expertise across a broad set of job search skills: resumes, cover letters, networking, LinkedIn, interviewing, salary negotiation, job search strategy, using AI tools, and more.
I’m based in Portland Oregon but I have lived in eight states and helped women all over the country (and even internationally). Let’s do this!
Addicted to good stories, Zen gardening, and my new e-bike. Pronouns: she/her/hers.
What are YOUR job search barriers?
You were laid off and are not sure where to begin
A job search entails first setting your goals through a process of self-assessment and reflection. Most women skip over this important step while in a panic to find a new job, but without a “north star” to guide you it is very difficult to successfully land the job you want.
You have a resume but you aren’t getting interviews
If you are looking for someone to write your resume and cover letters for you, I’m not a good fit. I believe that women are MUCH better served by being empowered to do this work themselves. I can help with formatting tips and language suggestions once we get your content to a better place, though. And I can help you write cover letters that tell your “why” that recruiters will read.
You struggle to tell the story of how you can add value
Your resume is just the start of telling your story. The great news is that learning to write a more powerful resume will ALSO help you to write your LinkedIn Profile and be a stronger interviewer!
You get interviews but not offers
Interviewing is a skill that can be learned. ONE mock interview, in which you get immediate, non-judgmental feedback from the recruiter’s perspective, is very empowering.
You need the most up-to-date job search advice
There are many coaches out there with good intentions but not much to back them up. Some have degrees or certifications, but no industry experience. Others have experience but no coaching training. Finding a coach with the right credentials, education, and experience is important to ensure that you are getting experienced, actionable help.
Pro tip: If your current coach can’t tell you how to network using Slack groups or use ChatGPT and other AI tools in your search, keep looking.
How has my career journey prepared me to help you succeed?
Are you experiencing any of these job search challenges?
In a career transition and no longer an obvious fit for jobs you are seeking
Transitioning into a new function or new industry is complicated, and getting help to highlight your transferable skills can save you pain and agony.
Looking for more meaningful work in a nonprofit or social impact job
Whether you are looking for a job at a nonprofit, in education or healthcare, at a social impact tech startup or investment firm, or with a government agency or foundation, I can help you land that mission-driven job. My own experiences working in non-profit, education, and Fortune 100 corporate settings inform my work.
Returning to work after a career break or being a full-time parent
If you have taken time “off” (ha!) to raise your kids or care for a family member, and would now like to return to work, you are in a special situation that presents unique challenges. Should you go back to the same job? The same industry? Or is this an ideal time for a career pivot? I have two sons and at various times took breaks to care for them, and at times stepped back into part-time work as well. In your job search, you’ll need to be crystal clear to employers in all your career communications (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, interviewing, and other communications) about the value you can provide.
Navigating relocation and job change as a trailing spouse or partner
If you are a trailing spouse or trailing partner, you may find that supporting your partner in a career move means that you have to reinvent yourself professionally in a new location with no network. Talk about resilience! It might mean a career pivot, and it means that you need to bring your networking “A-game”. A challenging situation, but it’s doable. Read about my eight-state trailing spouse journey here and how it informs my work as a career coach.
Negotiating a better salary and other compensation
*Shamefaced* I used to do a very poor job of standing up for my value and negotiating compensation. But no more. Women are typically much less likely to negotiate for a better salary, and when they do, they ask for less $$. Learn how to negotiate like a pro!
Finding more flexible jobs and better work/life balance
This is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for many women and not an easy thing to achieve. There are special places to look, and approaches you can take, to optimize your chances of success. There are lots of people out there promoting “being your own boss.” Being an entrepreneur works well for some but requires careful consideration of the pros and cons.
Transitioning to retirement
We don’t have a good term for this transition. I like to call it an “off ramp.” In the later stages of your career, you may want a less demanding role or a different type of role. It’s important to be strategic about positioning your past experience to get these new roles.
If any of these job search needs resonate with you and you are looking for a Portland Oregon career coach, I may be a great fit.