Here are some of the main kinds of help I offer others. If you’re interested in hiring me for a project type below (or related to one below), feel free to reach out with as many details as you can about what you’d like to get done!
1) Career Coaching
To jump to the my specific offerings, see https://www.irenerecruiting.info/career-services/
I specialize in supporting BIPOC people, women, LGBTQI folks, immigrants, neurodiverse people and folks with disabilities to find meaningful and equitable work.
I spent a year as a recruiter for Facebook and came out with amazing testimonials from candidates about the original interview preparation processes I designed and went over with them, some coming in over a year after we worked together.
My background as a teacher focused on social justice, equity, and developing critical thinking helps me design an effective individualized process for each person depending on your strengths, areas of growth, and target roles while acknowledging and addressing social inequities that may be part of what you deal with in looking for and keeping employment.
If you’re interested in talking about what we might do together for your search, use the Contact form to reach out! I’d love to hear about what your needs are and talk about whether I might be a good fit to help you reach your goals.
Coaching features:
- Strength-based approach. We will generally focus together on identifying your intrinsic strengths, especially when challenges arise, and the external supports you have in your community, which can be people or organizations. We will also identify external things that are out of your control that are limiting you and develop strategies to address those from a position of power.
- I use the strengths approach deliberately because so many people have experience with deficit-based models that focus on what people “lack” based on what’s often a very biased baseline.
- No judgment – I draw from communication techniques including Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to listen with empathy and the goal of understanding where you are without deciding where you “should” be or guiding you towards an outcome. You drive the process: I reflect and clarify what you’re defining. I don’t see my role as one where I tell you what to do or whether what you did in the past was the wrong thing to do.
- Understanding of intersectional identities – I understand that for many of us who are not centered socially or in the workforce (we are sometimes called “diverse candidates,” a term I don’t use), lots of the job search and being at work requires added code switching skills and masking identities. In the US these groups include BIPOC people, disabled people, neurodiverse people, and LGBT+ people, and immigrants. I affirm that the extra burdens are real (i.e.: working twice as hard to get half as far), and will work with that as a given. I also affirm that the ability to navigate so many terrains is an asset!
- Option for detailed career development/exploration plan – As an educator and project manager, I’ve built training projects from the ground up. You have the option of several levels of structure in your long-term coaching plan. We can go anywhere from covering issues in each session individually as issues arise to following a custom-made long-term plan I’ll create based on your goals.
Learn more about me via my LinkedIn Posts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenenexica/detail/recent-activity/shares
2) Website Design and Installation
I build and install easy-to-use, simple websites in WordPress for nonprofits and small businesses. You do not need to learn to code to have a great website that does what you need (you may also catch the bug to learn after you use WordPress). I like WordPress because it’s flexible and can grow with you. I can leave you with a manual with info on adding pages and blog posts, so you can add to it on your own and only call in a consultant for the big changes (unless you want to learn WordPress, which is pretty easy). Other site builders seem easy and inexpensive to use, but will make it hard if you want to upgrade and aren’t that flexible in terms of how you want the site to look. I get a lot of work from people trying to get off those builders, so I like to start off with one that’s got a huge community of support.
If you’re interested in talking about your website needs, use the Contact form to reach out!
3) Writing and editing
I’m a published journalist, book editor, and can get very granular in copy editing. I can also coach you through writing processes and offer feedback. I taught writing at the university level and can help you develop your own skills as a writer to meet your goals. Hit up the Contact form if you want to discuss your projects.
4) Computer consulting
I can repair and build hardware and help you search for and buy the right used or new equipment, whether it’s a desktop computer or laptop, or a cell phone. I can help you identify and learn to use software or phone apps to streamline your work process and organize your projects, or whatever you’re trying to accomplish. I specialize in Apple products because that’s what I use every day, but I also know and can research other operating systems. And if I don’t know the answer, I will refer to a trusted partner. The Contact form is how you can find me.
I also take on freelance technology projects (such as adding content to WordPress sites) if you’re swamped with work and looking for some help. I’m a fast learner and have experience with a wide range of technologies so getting me up to speed is often easy.
