One Hire at a Time: Mitch Kutin’s Job Search Success Story

Meet Mitch Kutin, a recruitment specialist at the University of Oregon. Mitch turned a pandemic career pivot into a fulfilling role in human resources. He says he loves the human connection, problem-solving, and novelty of his field.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for? 

I help companies and hiring managers find the right people for their teams and connect job seekers with opportunities that align with their skills and career aspirations. Since July 2024, I’ve been a recruitment specialist on the Provost’s Administrative Services Team at the University of Oregon. 

I partner with hiring managers across the university, serving as a consultant, administrator, and all-around recruitment support. As an HR professional and a recruiter, I aim to contribute to a positive professional environment. I’ve learned that retention is the most effective recruiting strategy. 

My career history began after college when I moved from my home state of New York to Portland, Oregon. After five years of growth through trial and error, I had become the operations manager of a ninja warrior gym. Like so many of us, the pandemic changed everything for me. I developed a talent for recruiting and finding the right person for each unique obstacle the company would need to overcome.

A Passion for Recruitment

I switched gears in 2021 and pursued a career in recruiting, starting at a nonprofit where I discovered my passion for both sides of recruiting. I worked internally to identify strategic hiring needs and connected with hundreds — if not thousands — of applicants to understand their goals and how they might align with the company.

Three months into my recruiting career, a vaccine mandate led to a 20% workforce reduction at the organization, throwing me out of the frying pan and into the fire. Given the freedom and trust to innovate, I streamlined hiring processes, developed strategies tailored to the unique circumstances, and learned to navigate high-pressure recruiting. 

I’ve learned that when I can problem solve, I flourish. After two and a half years, I was ready for the next step in my career.

What do you like best about your career? 

What I love about recruiting is the human connection, the problem-solving, and the novelty. The skill sets are portable, and throughout a career, a recruiter is able to work with various teams, source for different positions, explore software options, innovate, fine-tune, and play the game within the ever-changing landscape of employment and economic trends. 

From my degree in philosophy, I learned how to ask good questions and listen for great answers. Finally, there is a career to pursue with a degree in philosophy!

What resources ​have helped you in your career and your job searches? Are there specific tools or tactics that have contributed to your success? 

Today’s job seekers have access to incredibly powerful tools. Use them to your advantage! Set up alerts to stay ahead of new job postings, ensuring you apply quickly. To streamline your applications, create multiple resumes and cover letter templates that require only minor edits before submission (and always use editing tools to catch mistakes).

For next-level job search success, keep detailed notes on everything: your application history, professional conversations, interviews, follow-ups, and how different applications progress. Tracking these details helps you refine your approach and stay organized.

Most importantly, show up as the colleague an employer will want on their team. Approach the process with professionalism, confidence, and authenticity.

Throughout your career, what obstacles have you encountered when doing a job search, and how did you overcome them? 

The biggest obstacle I have encountered is the very real financial stress many people experience. At the end of the day, the real answer to why most people are looking for work is that they need to make money. 

Like so many of us, I need a job to buy my cat expensive cat stuff. How long I, or anyone, can afford to be in a situation is a real, often stressful question. Figuring out a game plan for your safety and well-being can feel like a lot of work. It’s essential to take care of yourself in order to show up and take the next step.

What piece of advice would you give to job seekers or professionals trying to advance in their careers? 

Stay strong, be tenacious, and pursue something you can enjoy!

When job searching, edit, revise, and seek feedback on your resume and cover letter. Getting fresh eyes on your materials can provide valuable insight into what works, why it works, and how hiring managers might perceive your application. Ask people in your life to roleplay interviews with you. Practice makes perfect.

Do your research. Look at resume examples across industries, read articles about what hiring managers are looking for, and tailor your applications accordingly. When applying for a specific job, emphasize the same words, skills, and education you see in the listing. This helps you stand out and gets you into the right mindset for the interview and the job itself.

Make It Manageable and Stay Persistent

Finally, gamify the job search to make the process more manageable. Set clear parameters for yourself: where you are willing to move, your salary needs, and the roles that excite you. Then, create short-, medium-, and long-term goals to guide your efforts. 

Be persistent, resilient, and tenacious — professionally, of course! For example, if only 5% of applications lead to an interview, then set a short-term goal to send out 100 applications and be ready to seize the opportunities that come your way.

Mac’s List is an incredible resource filled with talented professionals who can help. If you feel cornered and have exhausted your existing tools, invest in yourself and seek expert guidance. You are worth it.

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market.