Maximizing Your Strengths
In this episode of Job Search for High-Performing Misfits, host Melissa Vining sits down with Colleen DelVecchio—Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach, career strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the Embrace the Squiggle podcast. Together, they explore how discovering and leaning into your strengths can change everything—your career path, your job search strategy, your confidence, and even your quality of life. Colleen shares practical advice and powerful stories about how strengths show up differently depending on the environment, and why the same trait that got you fired in one job might make you shine in another. From identifying the common thread in your career story to using your strengths to reframe your resume, answer interview questions, and avoid burnout, this episode offers a fresh take on career growth for people who don’t always fit neatly into boxes.
What You’ll Learn:
• What CliftonStrengths really measures—and why it’s different from a personality test
• How to identify the common thread in a nonlinear or “squiggly” career
• Ways to use your strengths to energize your job search (instead of draining you)
• How strengths show up differently depending on the role, culture, and environment • What to do after you take the CliftonStrengths assessment
• Tips for integrating your strengths into resumes, interviews, and LinkedIn profiles
• How to assess job fit based on your strengths, values, and preferred working style
• Real stories of misalignment—and how to find a role where your strengths are seen as superpowers
Guest Bio:
Colleen DelVecchio is the Founder and Chief Maximizer at Maxady where she transforms individuals and businesses to prevent burnout, foster strengths-based leadership, increase belonging, and manage organizational change. As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach and engaging speaker, she increases teams' potential, elevating impact and job satisfaction. Colleen is also the co-host of the Embrace the Squiggle podcast, championing the authentic career stories of professional women.
In her spare time, she loves travel and throw pottery - Colleen will happily gift you a wobbly bowl that she's made! Colleen holds a BA in Psychology from Boston University and an MS in Nonprofit Management from Bay Path University.
