Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16289&preview=true⁠) 
Your story is your most powerful job search tool, yet most candidates fail to use it effectively. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Levi Gaytan, job seekers without personal narratives appear formulaic and forgettable to hiring managers. Stories create connections, showing employers why you're applying and how your past experience relates to their needs. Levi's approach uses two frameworks: SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and VRIO (value, rarity, imitability, organization). He says effective stories follow a simple formula: before, action, result, and then why it matters to the employer. Every experience contains transferable skills – parenting demonstrates leadership, driving for Uber shows resourcefulness. Rather than weak language like "supported," use strong action words like "led" and "directed." Success comes from authentic self-reflection and conducting informational interviews to truly understand what employers need, rather than simply matching resume buzzwords to job descriptions.


About Our Guest:
⁠Levi Gaytan⁠ is an HR leader, speaker, and community builder. 


Resources in This Episode:
⁠Connect with Levi⁠ on LinkedIn. ⁠Portland Human Resources Management Association⁠


How Your Story Can Transform Your Job Search, with Levi Gaytan

Mac’s List is the premier career development resource for connecting passionate, creative professionals to meaningful and socially impactful work in Oregon and SW Washington.

How Your Story Can Transform Your Job Search, with Levi Gaytan

Mac's List