When you're a neurodivergent professional, searching for a new job can feel like trying to play a game where the rules were written for a completely different brain. Between unclear job descriptions, automatic rejection emails, and the overwhelming noise of a typical job search, high performers with ADHD or AuDHD often end up burned out or stuck in task paralysis. In this episode, Melissa Vining sits down with former recruiter, HR strategist, and certified ADHD coach Jeanna Malines to break down how to stop forcing yourself into neurotypical molds and start building a job search that honors how your brain actually works. Jeanna shares actionable strategies for pitching yourself as a solutions-based hire, managing rejection sensitivity, and leaning into your unique strengths.

Inside this Episode:

• Unmasking Late-Diagnosed ADHD: The realities of navigating a late-in-life diagnosis and how recognizing your brain's wiring changes how you view your career journey.
• The STAR Method & Strengths-Based Interviewing: How breaking down past accomplishments step-by-step can turn interview anxiety into clear, confident storytelling.
• The Solutions-Based Hire: Why reaching out to key decision-makers with proactive solutions beats endlessly tweaking resumes to fit generic job descriptions.
• Reframing Rejection & RSD: Practical ways to visualize worst-case scenarios, dismantle rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and understand the behind-the-scenes recruiter realities.
• Navigating the 90-Day Transition: Strategies for managing the onboarding period in a new role without falling into people-pleasing or masking habits.

Guest Bio:

Jeanna Malines is the founder of Trajecta, where she helps professionals navigate career transition, job search, and workplace development with strategy built for real brains, not generic advice. A former recruiter and HR/talent strategist with 20+ years of experience and a certified ADHD coach, Jeanna specializes in supporting ADHD and neurodivergent professionals as they clarify direction, communicate their value, advocate for themselves, and find work environments where they can actually thrive.

Connect with Jeanna:

https://www.trajecta.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanna-malines/

Episode Timestamps:

00:34 – Meet Jeanna Malines

01:20 – Jeanna’s recruiting background and ADHD journey

09:43 – What working with a certified ADHD coach looks like

13:14 – Leveraging neurodivergent strengths in a job search

16:23 – Breaking down accomplishments with the STAR method

21:11 – To disclose or not to disclose in an interview

25:08 – Using AI as an assistive tool for repetitive tasks

26:42 – Navigating the 90-day workplace transition

30:49 – Researching target companies and pitching solutions

39:17 – Overcoming rejection sensitivity and reframing ”no”

44:24 – The Jobseeker's Guide to the Galaxy & ADHD Career Cost Calculator

50:56 – Jeanna’s final words of wisdom

P.S. If you’ve found this episode helpful and want to support the podcast, ⁠buy me a coffee here⁠! Your support helps me keep creating content that helps high-performing misfits find work that fits. https://buymeacoffee.com/melissavining