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

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are a prevalent hiring tool, used by a vast majority of employers. If you want to get your resume past an automated system and into a hiring manager’s hands, there are some specific steps you can take. Keywords are important, but Find Your Dream Job guest Virginia Franco says you should avoid keyword stuffing so that your resume makes sense to both humans and computers. Virginia advises job seekers to use their networks to bypass the ATS and to write resumes that can be read easily on mobile devices. About Our Guest: Virginia Franco is a multi-certified executive resume and LinkedIn writer, coach, and storyteller who helps job seekers to land interviews (https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiafrancoresumewriter/).  Resources in This Episode: To learn more about the membership site that Virginia is working on, and take advantage of your free offer, go to https://www.jobsearchsecretweapon.com/. You can avoid the resume pitfalls we consistently see job seekers make with my resou

If you’ve been in a job where you were overworked and experienced mismanagement, you may need to take a break before looking for your next position. But what if you aren’t sure what that next job should be? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Stacey Rice and I discuss how to use your network when you don’t know exactly what you want to do next and how doing your homework can lead to a successful interview. Stacey also shares how to bounce back and even start over in your career after huge life shifts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spending 40+ hours a week looking for a job can be a very draining experience. If you spend eight or more hours per day filling out applications, firing off generic resumes, and scanning job boards, you need to change your strategy, says Find Your Dream Job guest Paige Webster. Paige shares why focusing on 3-4 hours per day is better for you and how it increases your chances of finding the perfect position. Paige also recommends some specific questions to ask yourself and how to use your network to find the job that’s right for you.  About Our Guest: Paige Webster (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigewebster1/) is a professional certified career coach. Through her coaching work, Paige helps individuals define what they want and learn practical tools for making their career (and life) dreams come to fruition. Resources in This Episode: Learn more about Paige and the services she offers at https://www.paigewebstercoaching.com/ Do you find yourself applying for any job that you think you could do? Before you s

In any job interview, you need to be memorable. You have a much better chance of getting a job offer if the hiring manager remembers you. Find Your Dream Job guest expert Amy Davies shares how effective storytelling can help you stand out. Sharing stories leads to a stronger connection with the interviewer; you just need to know which stories to tell. Amy shares which stories are worth sharing and how to prepare them before the interview.  About Our Guest: Amy Davies (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviesamy/ is the founder of Reorg World (https://www.reorgworld.com/), the author of “A Spark in the Dark, (https://amzn.to/2CQZzlA)” and the CEO of First 30 Inc. (https://first30ready.com/). Amy works with organizations through reorganizations so employees feel empowered and the company remains profitable. Amy also works with select individuals through transition, enabling them to achieve their ultimate professional goals. Resources in This Episode: For help managing your career, get your copy of Amy’s new book,

If you’re currently in a job search, you may be hearing the word “no” more frequently than you’d like. Is it possible to keep a positive mindset when dealing with consistent rejection of your resume or efforts to connect with employers? Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Borelli says yes, and the first step is to focus on making quality connections rather than submitting applications to as many job listings as possible. Elizabeth also shares how being clear about what you’re looking for, and sharing that with others, leads to fewer rejections and valuable long-term relationships. About Our Guest: Elizabeth Borelli (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethborelli/) is a certified career coach, curriculum developer, and motivational speaker. She's the creator of Career Builder Bootcamps, a set of interactive, online courses that fast-track clients to job search success. Elizabeth prepares job seekers to find the right new role, helping them to stay positive and engaged in the process. Resources in This Episode:

Do you let things like job postings, layoffs, or irritations on the job drive your career decisions? If you’re ready to find more satisfaction in your next job or career move, Find Your Dream Job guest Bruce Hazen says you need a well thought-out strategy. You can find a job that aligns with your career goals by having a clear understanding of your skills, experience, and interests. Bruce also shares how to know whether it’s time to leave a company or if there are changes you can make that will make staying more beneficial.  About Our Guest: Bruce Hazen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/managementcoach/) is a career and management consultant and president of Three Questions Consulting (http://www.threequestionsconsulting.com/). He designs career strategies with the mission of reducing suffering at work, increasing career satisfaction, and helping people think ahead in their career approach. Resources in This Episode: Are you ready to stop finding “one job in a row?” Bruce’s book, “Answering the 3 Career Questio

When you’re looking for your next job, patience is often in short supply. You may be tempted to send out as many resumes as possible. But going for quantity over quality won’t serve you well in your job search. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Alex Konopka (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-konopka-1859225b/) and I talk about how crafting a unique resume allowed him to focus on his skills and abilities, even for jobs he wasn’t 100 percent qualified for. Alex also shares why preparation before your interview is key to getting a callback or job offer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you start a new job, you may think it’s best to wait for your boss to outline a clear focus. Find Your Dream Job guest expert Robert Moment says a better approach for the first 90 days is to be proactive about building relationships and achieving small wins in your first few weeks in a new role. Be prepared to ask questions of your manager or team members about current projects, specific challenges, and recent successes. Showing initiative in the early days demonstrates your ability to be a problem-solver and your capacity to make the company more successful as a result. About Our Guest: Robert Moment (linkedin.com/in/personalbrandingexpert/) the Get Hired Expert (http://www.howtoaceaninterview.com/), specializes in teaching everyone from recent college graduates to experienced professionals how to interview and helping job seekers stand out, get hired, and make more money. He also advises new employees on how to succeed at their new job in the first 90 days and beyond.  Resources in This Episode: If

Volunteering while in the midst of a job search might seem like a waste of time. After all, why would you work for nothing and waste your skills and expertise? But the fact is, volunteering might actually help you find your next job, says Find Your Dream Job guest Aaron Good. Volunteering can provide you with purpose and allow you to stay connected to other people. Those connections can sometimes turn into actual jobs. Volunteering may also uncover hidden interest in a field that you never considered.  About Our Guest: Aaron Good (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarongood/) is a career counselor who focuses on career, purpose, and identity. As the founder of Trailhead Counseling (https://trailheadcounseling.net/), he works with individuals who want to improve their current job, find a new career more aligned with their values, or reaffirm the track they’re on. Resources in This Episode: Aaron offers a variety of counseling options in the Portland area. To make an appointment, go to: https://trailheadcounseling

Rachel Shields Ebersole recently relocated to the Portland area from Woodstock, Vermont. Upon arrival in Portland, Rachel did not have many professional connections in the Pacific Northwest. On today’s Find Your Dream Job, Rachel Shields Ebersole explains how she found a job here by attending local events, volunteering, and reaching out to leaders in her target industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve wanted to work with a recruiter but you’re not sure where to start, Find Your Dream Job guest Wendy Schoen offers solid advice on what steps to take first. Wendy recommends you start by updating your LinkedIn. You need to develop what Wendy calls a profile that is “full, and ripe, and juicy.” Embracing a “just the facts” approach with your profile is a great way to get skipped right over. Even if you aren’t currently looking for a job, building a relationship with a recruiter can be helpful for years to come as you grow in your chosen field. About Our Guest: Wendy Schoen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenlegalsearch/) is the CEO and managing partner of Schoen Legal Search (http://schoenlegal.com/), and she has been in the legal search field since 1993. She places a wide variety of attorneys into law firms, corporations, and consulting firms. Wendy’s clients range from major international law firms to start-up companies to international Fortune 10 companies.  Resources in This Episode: To find ou

Automation is the most prevalent trend in the job application process. It’s highly likely that an Applicant Tracking System will decide whether you even get brought in for an interview. Should we be afraid that the robots are taking over? Not quite, according to today’s guest on Find Your Dream Job, Nicolle Merrill. Nicolle says you need to learn as much as possible about how artificial intelligence affects the modern job search to set yourself up for success. In addition, you should invest time and effort into your online presence, and continue to develop authentic relationships with professional connections. About Our Guest: Nicolle Merrill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicollemerrill/) is the founder of Future Skills (http://www.futureskills.blog/), a company that teaches professionals how to advance their skills and stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing working world. She is also the author of the upcoming book, “Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.” (http://ww

Building a tech career in Portland can be daunting, especially for newcomers. The good news is that Portland is an open and welcoming community, even if you are new to the tech field and lack experience. The key to breaking into Portland’s tech industry is networking and meeting the people who do the hiring here, says Find Your Dream Job guest Tim Butler. Tim says that if you put in the time and do the work, you’ll find others who can help you grow your career in authentic and meaningful ways. About Our Guest: Tim Butler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbutler67/) is a technical sourcer at the Portland, Oregon office of New Relic (https://newrelic.com/), a software analytics company. Tim has been in the recruiting industry for eight years after spending 20 years in insurance. His passion is helping professionals find new career opportunities that align with their career interests and goals. His current focus is on finding talented software engineering professionals. Resources in This Episode: If you’re intere

When you apply for a job, you expect to hear back from the employer. But all too often, employers avoid  getting back to applicants unless they plan to bring them in for an interview. And even then, you may go in for an interview and not hear back about the final hiring decision. While it seems like common courtesy for employers to respond to everyone who applies, Find Your Dream Job guest Jennifer Tardy says that some hiring managers are so inundated with applicants that they simply don’t have time to reply to everyone. Jennifer shares practical tips for following up with the hiring manager in a natural, casual way. She recommends being persistent, but kind and understanding in your communication with hiring managers so you don’t burn any bridges. About Our Guest: Jennifer Tardy is the founder and owner of Jennifer Tardy LLC, a diversity and inclusion consulting organization in Maryland. Through her work, Jennifer is on a mission to forge successful career opportunities between employers and members of und

The decision to make a career change can be full of challenges. Rejection, lack of focus, and ignoring networking opportunities can make the transition even harder. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Travis Puckett and I discuss his move from the food and beverage industry to data analysis. A desire for traditional work hours and a love of number-crunching motivated Travis to pursue an internship rather than a full-time, traditional position. Travis shares how he got clear about his goals and how faith in himself gave him the confidence to try something new.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you bomb a job interview, it feels terrible. Don’t get discouraged, it’s possible that it wasn’t entirely your fault. Maybe you expected to speak one-on-one with the hiring manager and you walked into a panel of people asking you questions. Perhaps you were prepared to answer behavioral questions, but instead you received off-the-wall questions you did not anticipate. Find Your Dream Job guest Pharoah Bolding says it’s perfectly fine for you to ask the hiring manager ahead of time what your interview format will be so that you can go into the conversation prepared. Pharoah also shares how to overcome pre-interview anxiety to ensure that you present your best self to the interviewer.  About Our Guest: Pharoah Bolding (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pharoahbolding/) is the human resources coordinator at Reed College (https://www.reed.edu/). He’s worked with everyone from the Portland Trail Blazers to nonprofit and technology employers. Pharoah’s work focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion, mitigating b

If you’re looking to enter a career where you can serve others and work in a variety of positions, consider working in government. Even if you’ve never held a government position, you can land a fulfilling job with a few strategies. As with most jobs, networking is crucial when trying to land a government job. Find Your Dream Job guest Kirsten Wyatt says that while the application system for government positions can be outdated, you need to shift your focus to what government hiring managers need and outline how you can meet those needs.  About Our Guest: Kirsten Wyatt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwyatt/) is the co-founder and executive director of the  Engaging Local Government Leaders network (ELGL) (https://elgl.org/). It’s a nonprofit that engages the brightest minds in local government. She works on behalf of ELGL members to connect, communicate, and educate about local government public service, and is also co-host of the GovLove podcast (https://elgl.org/govlove/), sharing informative and unique sto

When you begin a job search, it’s important to know what makes you stand out from the crowd of applicants. Knowing what makes you unique helps employers see how you can help them and allows you to figure out where you will thrive. But how do you discover what makes you unique? Find Your Dream Job guest Jen Anderson says you need to ask yourself some key questions. What are you good at? What do you do for fun? What do people ask you for help with? Employers hire problem solvers. When you step back and get clear on what sets you apart, you will be one step closer to finding a career that allows you to thrive. About Our Guest: Jen Anderson is a career strategist and coach. She teaches at Portland Community College and the University of California at Davis. Jen is also the author of the book, “Plant Yourself Where You Will Bloom: How to Turn What Makes You Unique into a Meaningful and Lucrative Career.” Resources in This Episode: Want to know if your next career dream is what you should actually pursue? Get

As a vice president or C-level executive, you need to find an executive search firm that understands your industry and your expertise. Even if you are not actively seeking a new  position, a good executive search firm will continue to build their relationship with you and keep you in mind for future opportunities. Finding an executive search firm can be a challenge, says Find Your Dream Job guest Roy Notowitz. You have to do your research up-front, and identify those people in your network with years of experience and many common connections. Most importantly, you have to know what you want and be willing to build relationships over time in order to find your dream job.   About Our Guest: Roy Notowitz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/linktoroy/) is the president of Noto Group (https://www.notogroup.com/), a purpose-driven executive search and consulting firm with expertise in recruiting for Director, VP and C-Level roles. Noto Group's executive search practice spans across business functions and channels within

If you depend on job boards alone to help you find your next job, you are limiting your options. Only one in five hires are made through job board submissions. Job boards aren’t bad, says Find Your Dream Job guest Lisa Rangel. But if you want to get hired, you have to start by reaching out to people. Lisa also shares why it’s important to have a goal in mind when you start your job search and how to use informational interviews to discover hidden opportunities.  About Our Guest: Lisa Rangel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarangel) is the founder and managing director of two companies: Chameleon Resumes (https://chameleonresumes.com/), the premier executive resume writing service; and Job Landing Academy (https://joblandingacademy.com/), which teaches motivated job seekers how to find a great job fast. Resources in This Episode: Find out how to make your executive resume stand out at Chameleon Resumes (https://chameleonresumes.com/).  Learn how to land a job you love with help from Job Landing Academy (h