Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips For Finding Work, Advancing Your Career, And Loving Your Job

When you’re looking for that perfect job fit, you need more than just a network. You need a group of people who know you, your needs, and your personal values. Find Your Dream Job guest Soumary Vongrassamy says you need friends who will remind you of what’s really important and who will help you ask tough questions about the job. Once you find your dream job, Soumary says it is of the utmost importance that you “pay it forward,” creating that inner circle for others and helping them through the job search process. About Our Guest: Soumary Vongrassamy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumary/) is a specialist in equity and conflict resolution with the Multnomah County government in Portland, Oregon. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Soumary at (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumary/). Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview Questions You Need to Know. (http://www.macslist.org/questions) Learn more about your ad

If you’ve moved to a new city, you might expect it to take a while to find a job that you love. But on this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jackie Starr (http://linkedin.com/in/jackiestarr) shares how she found her dream job in a new city in just two months. Jackie was looking for work in the nonprofit field, and she wanted a position that had a positive impact on her community. Working with a career coach helped Jackie to narrow down her options, and telling others she was job hunting directly led her to the position she has today as the executive director at the Friends of the Multnomah County Library. Learn more about Jackie’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories) series.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been looking for your next position for quite some time, you may feel discouraged. It’s normal to experience depression during an extended job search. It’s also normal to not want to talk about it, says Find Your Dream Job guest Ashley Watkins. You may feel embarrassed about not having a job and your self-worth might have taken a big hit. But Ashley shares the importance of being honest with yourself and others. She also lays out the exact steps you need to overcome those negative feelings, make adjustments, and land the job of your dreams.  About Our Guest: Ashley Watkins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjwatkins/) is a certified resume writer, job search coach and former corporate recruiter. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, visit WriteStepResumes.com(https://www.writestepresumes.com)to learn more about Ashley and the services she offers.  Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Downlo

Using a job board may seem like a productive way to spend your time, but is it? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Susan Joyce, the answer is “maybe.” Susan says job boards work best when you identify your target employers and customize your resume for those employers. She also recommends using job boards to do research on the companies you’ve chosen to target. And remember, 40% of jobs are filled by employee referrals, so if you know someone at one of your targeted employers, be sure to ask them to introduce you to the hiring manager.  About Our Guest: Susan Joyce (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanjoyce/) is the publisher and editor of JobHunt.org. (https://www.job-hunt.org/) With more than one million visitors a month, it’s one of the most popular job-search advice sites in the world. Resources in This Episode: For more advice from Susan and her contributing editors, visit job-hunt.org. (https://www.job-hunt.org/) Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to pre

The likelihood of an applicant tracking system reviewing your application rather than a human is steadily increasing. How can you ensure that your resume rises to the top and doesn’t end up in the circular file? First, you need to pay attention to the job posting, says Find Your Dream Job guest Brandon Laws. Use the same language the employer uses to showcase your skills and experience. Brandon also highlights the need to build a personal brand online that matches the skills you mention on your resume. And watch those typos; applications with grammatical errors almost always get tossed without a second look.  About Our Guest: Brandon Laws ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon) is the director of marketing at Xenium HR,(https://www.xeniumhr.com) where he has spent the last 11 years of his career helping transform workplaces. He also hosts the podcast Transforming Your Workplace. (http://www.xeniumhr.com/hr-resources/podcast) Resources in This Episode: For more ideas on building a great workplace, listen

Are you ready for a career that allows you to impact your community and the world, outside the nonprofit sector? No matter which field your expertise is in, B Corps offer you an opportunity to make that impact. B Corps are companies that are dedicated to transparency and reshaping the workplace, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Kathleen Everett. If humane hiring practices, sustainability, and loyalty to employees and customers are important to you in your next position, Kathleen offers some helpful advice on how to find a job in a B Corps.  About Our Guest: Kathleen Everett (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-everett-253347a/ ) has over 30 years of experience teaching companies how to compete with speed, while reducing costs and improving service. Resources in This Episode: For more information and a list of B Corps, visit B Corporation online. (www.bcorporation.net) Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Intervi

Are you scoring interviews but no job offers? If so, it’s time to figure out what you need to do differently in order to move from candidate to new employee. It all begins with the first 5 minutes of the interview, says Find Your Dream Job guest Sarah Johnston. How you answer the, “Tell me about yourself,” question gives the hiring manager the chance to evaluate many things about you. Sarah also points out the importance of knowing your audience and targeting your answers to address the company’s pain points. About Our Guest: Sarah Johnston,(https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdjohnston) the founder of The Briefcase Coach(https://www.briefcasecoach.com) is a former corporate recruiter and industry insider. Sarah is an executive resume writer, interview coach and LinkedIn profile writer for all career levels - from C-suite to new graduates. Resources in This Episode: Are you tired of not getting the job you want? Visit jobsearchsecretweapon.com (https://www.jobsearchsecretweapon.com) for help in finding the so

Sometimes, the hardest part of finding your next job is getting started. If you’re currently in a stable, well-paying position, it can feel scary and uncomfortable to think about leaving that safety for something new. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Maddy Abulencia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mabulencia) and I dig deep into what it takes to begin a job search, as well as how to use your network to help you find your next position. Maddy also opens up about how she conquered imposter syndrome and why she was so intentional about how many applications she submitted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for a job without clearly job search defined goals typically leads to frustration and unhappiness. A job search is not a research project, says Find Your Dream Job guest Brandy Richardson. Instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall, you need to be aiming at a specific target, and clearly defined goals help you do that. Brandy suggests getting clear on what you enjoyed, and what you didn’t enjoy, about past employment. Learning to say no and focusing on positions that will allow you to thrive are crucial parts of a successful job search.  About Our Guest: Brandy Richardson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdrichardson1?trk=people-guest_people_search-card) is a human resource professional with a decade of experience in the field. She currently works as the HR Administrator for Cascade Aids Project. (https://www.capnw.org) Resources in This Episode: If you need HR assistance, Brandy would love to be your personal cheerleader. Connect with her on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdrichardson1?trk=peop

Statistics show that people change careers around a half-dozen times over the span of their working lives. No matter how many times you switch jobs, you will face obstacles. Silencing your internal objections and taking concrete action, says Find Your Dream Job guest Laurie Erdman, are the first steps toward finding your next position. Laurie adds that getting rid of self-doubt and reaching out to others for help can make the transition smoother. Taking time off to practice self-care is also a non-negotiable for anyone in a career transition.  About Our Guest: Laurie Erdman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erdmanl?trk=people-guest_people_search-card) is Senior Change Management Consultant at Cambia Health Solutions (https://www.cambiahealth.com/) where she supports teams in creating people-focused health care. Resources in This Episode: To read more from Laurie, visit her on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erdmanl?trk=people-guest_people_search-card)  Nail every behavioral interview question in your ne

While creating the perfect resume takes time and effort, you don’t have to spend hours customizing your resume for each position you apply for. There are some small tweaks you can do in just a few minutes that can be the difference between your resume getting looked at or thrown in the circular file. Mirroring your resume to use the language the company uses is the first step toward ending up in front of a hiring manager’s eyes, says Find Your Dream Job guest Raine Lunke. Raine also emphasizes the importance of having confidence in your resume, which she says is more important than anything you add to it.  About Our Guest: Raine Lunke (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lunke/) is an accomplished talent acquisition leader, certified HR professional and first-time entrepreneur. Resources in This Episode: If you’re interested in working with a recruiter, visit www.r2rrecruiting.com to see Raine’s services. Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download

In an ever-changing world of technology, many job seekers are now being asked to do video interviews. But if you only have experience with face-to-face interviews, how do you prepare for an on-camera meeting? Find Your Dream Job guest Kanika Tolver says you need to prepare in two ways: technology and practice. Make sure you install the technology you’ll be using to conduct the interview a day prior and that you understand how it works. Kanika suggests asking family and friends to practice with you. She advises that setting up a distraction-free environment will allow your true personality to shine through.  About Our Guest: Kanika Tolver (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanikatolver/) is a professional coach, author, and speaker. She believes that a satisfying, successful career requires fulfillment, self-awareness, and determination. Resources in This Episode: For more information on Kanika’s new book, Career Rehab: Rebuild Your Personal Brand and Rethink the Way You Work, visit kanikatolver.com. (www.kanikat

When you’re searching for your next job, it’s vitally important that you go into the search with some key pieces of information. You need to understand what motivates you, what values you hold, and why you feel the need to move toward a new position. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Roxanne Myslewski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanne-myslewski-72638417) and I discuss how digging deep into her own personal motivations led to her job at the American Red Cross. Roxanne also shares what it was like working with a recruiter and the importance of keeping your online “brand” up to date. Learn more about Roxanne’s career history in this installment of our Success Stories series. (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are a working parent seeking a better work-life balance, a family-friendly job can make all the difference. In fact, many companies now offer flexible hours and the option to work remotely. The key to finding a family-friendly job, says Find Your Dream Job guest Lauren Bell, is to figure out what “family-friendly” means to you. Lauren suggests being transparent about your needs and communicating them to both current and future employers.  About Our Guest: Lauren Bell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenamberbell) is a career strategist with Projectline Services (https://www.projectlineservices.com), a staffing and consulting company. She’s passionate about inclusive hiring practices, parents re-entering the workforce, and remote work. Resources in This Episode: Visit projectline.com (https://www.projectlineservices.com) to find out more about how Lauren helps working parents find jobs they love. You can also find her on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenamberbell) Nail every behavioral in

Career gaps are an inevitable fact of life. Whether it’s a voluntary gap to take care of children, or an involuntary gap because you were fired or laid off, you must be ready to explain those gaps to a hiring manager who will see them on your LinkedIn profile. It’s important, says Find Your Dream Job guest Katie Fogarty, to clarify what you were doing with your time and that the gap is now over. Use your LinkedIn profile to highlight your skills and focus on the value you offer, and don’t apologize for your gaps.  About Our Guest: Katie Fogarty (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiefogartymedia) is a 20-year veteran of media, branding, and PR. She launched The Reboot Group to deliver custom coaching engagements, workshops, and trainings that unlock clients' abilities to advocate for their work and value on LinkedIn and beyond. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to craft a LinkedIn headline that gets noticed, Katie can help. Visit her website at therebootgroup.com. (https://www.therebootgroup.com/) Be

If you are the parent of a college student, you want to do everything in your power to help your son or daughter find a great job after graduation. However, the things we think are helpful could actually have a negative impact. Encouraging your child to visit their career services center and attend events such as career fairs are specific ways to help, says Find Your Dream Job guest Margaret Roberts. Margaret also says that parents need to take a step back and allow their child to follow their own interests, rather than burdening them with the expectation that they will follow a certain path. About Our Guest: Margaret Roberts (https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretroberts/) supports individuals in achieving success throughout their career life cycle. She leads the Career Management Center at the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific (https://www.pacific.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/eberhardt-school-of-business/centers-and-institutes/career-management-center.html). She is also a fr

You pursued your dream job, got hired, and you’ve been there a few years. But, what if you feel the pull to pursue a new career direction? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Ben Oh and I talk about deciding to leave a dream job behind. Ben shares how trusting his instincts and fighting unrealistic expectations led him to a job he loves. Ben also breaks down how he stayed confident that making a career change was the right decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you afraid of failure in your career or workplace? Failure certainly gets a bad rap in today’s job market. The truth is taking risks and facing failure head on allows you to be your best self at work. Find Your Dream Job guest Dan Cumberland says that fear of failure can cause you to hold back and not share your best ideas with your employer, but taking risks can help you to advance in your career and reach your goals. Dan also shares how to talk to hiring managers about your past failures and why you must fail in order to succeed. About Our Guest: Dan Cumberland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancumberland/) is the host of The Meaning Movement podcast (http://themeaningmovement.com/), where he curates advice on finding your passion, calling, and life's work. Dan is on a mission to support people in finding and doing their best work in any way that he can. Resources in This Episode: If you need help figuring out the next steps in your life and career, get Dan’s free mini-course, “Five Clues to Your Calli

How do you know if your perception of the hiring process matches reality? There are many prevalent misconceptions and common hiring myths out there about the modern hiring process that are completely false. Find Your Dream Job guest expert Dawn Graham says that once you understand how the hiring process really works, your job search will become easier and more rewarding. Dawn also shares strategies for overcoming these myths and finding ways to be more competitive in today’s job market. About Our Guest: Dr. Dawn Graham (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdawngraham/) is a career switch coach, TEDx speaker, LinkedIn instructor, and host of the popular call-in show Career Talk on SiriusXM Radio. Her latest book, "Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success" (https://amzn.to/35sos3x), combines her experience as a career coach, licensed psychologist, and former corporate recruiter to give career switchers the strategies to break through obstacles and land the job they want. Resources in This

Do you see sales as something that only certain jobs require? Does the thought of selling give you less than pleasant feelings? If so, Find Your Dream Job guest Matt Youngquist says you need to change your mindset in order to find a great position. The job market isn’t always fair, so learning how to market yourself successfully is equally as important as possessing the skills for the job. Matt shares the five sales mantras you can use to sell yourself more effectively in an interview. About Our Guest: Matt Youngquist (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattyoungquist/) is a Seattle-based career coach and job hunting expert with over 25 years of experience helping professionals navigate through today's uncharted employment waters. As President of Career Horizons (http://www.career-horizons.com/), he consults with clients at all levels on how to strategically manage their careers, explore their occupational options, and market themselves successfully to new opportunities. Resources in This Episode: For more inform