Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job

Job loss can be a great opportunity to examine whether you’re in the right field. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jenny Mack-Christensen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennymackaben/) tells how she used the time between jobs to affirm that she wanted to stay in marketing. She used informational interviews to explore other career fields, but Jenny says she ultimately decided to level up in her current field rather than make a switch. Learn more about Jenny’s career history below 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

Have you had a series of jobs, but they don’t feel like exactly what you want? If you want to find your dream job, you have to get clear on what kind of job would be the perfect fit for you. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jasmin Huila (https://www.linkedin.com/in/huilaj/) shares why her first positions out of college weren’t the right fit, how she finally made decisions on what she wanted, and the process she used to set specific career goals. Learn more about Jasmin’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’re looking for a job, you’re being intentional, right? Not necessarily, says Find Your Dream Job guest Hayden Iverson Todd. Hayden defines an intentional job search as knowing the type of position that will benefit your overall lifestyle. We spend too much time at work to apply for any and every job we come across. Hayden suggests approaching your job search by getting clear on your strengths, knowing the type of work that excites you, and exploring the resources your community has to offer.  About Our Guest: Hayden Iverson Todd is an assistant director of career and fellowship advising at Reed College. It’s a private liberal arts school in the Pacific Northwest. Resources in This Episode: Hayden welcomes connections on LinkedIn. Find her at www.linkedin.com/in/haydentodd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hear a lot about branding in the job market, but what does it mean to create a personal brand? Find Your Dream Job guest Michael Ramirez says you already have one, whether intentional or not. Michael defines a personal brand as the way you communicate your values and strengths to a company or hiring manager. Self-confidence is enhanced when your personal brand is strong and well thought out. Sharing your brand with others is as simple as developing an unforgettable elevator pitch that you can use in networking situations.  About Our Guest: Michael Ramirez (http://linkedin.com/in/mikeramirezdesign) is a talent acquisition manager at the Oregon Health & Science University (https://www.ohsu.edu/).  Resources in This Episode: OHSU is hiring! Find out more by visiting ohsu.edu and clicking on the “Jobs” tab. From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every job seeker knows that a great resume is the ticket to their dream job, but what makes a resume stand out to hiring managers? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Cassie Ademola, your resume needs certain things to stay out of the No pile. It’s crucial to include specific details about your professional achievements; spell out what you did, how you did it, and the outcome of those actions. Cassie also says that proofreading your resume is a non-negotiable, as well as listing anything about your experience that sets you apart from others in your field.  About Our Guest: Cassie Ademola (http://linkedin.com/in/cassieademola) is a human resources leader, a career brand polisher, and a professional resume writer. Resources in This Episode: Cassie offers several courses on her website to help you level up in your career. Find out more by visiting myprofessionalagenda.com/store/. From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would it be like to create your own job instead of looking for one? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Kelly Noack (http://linkedin.com/in/kelly-noack) shares how she expanded the job she was doing for one arm of a larger company. Kelly’s success in IT security and compliance gave her confidence that she could expand her role to include the family of businesses within the company as a whole. Kelly also shares how mentoring and research helped her propose the new position to her leadership. Learn more about Kelly’s career history below 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 see networking as large meet-ups and one-off coffee dates, it’s time to rethink your networking strategy. Find Your Dream Job guest Sophia Wellons stresses the need for building long-term relationships through networking. Networking isn’t simply meeting someone and asking them if they have a job for you; it building relationships that will serve both parties for months or years to come. Sophia says you have to go into these settings with clarity on what you need and how you can help others, along with a willingness to do so. About Our Guest: Sophia Wellons (http://linkedin.com/in/srwellons) is a recruiter at Galois (https://lifeatgalois.com/). Her company specializes in the research and development of new technologies. Resources in This Episode: Sophia welcomes connections on LinkedIn. You can find her at (www.linkedin.com/in/srwellons/). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you afraid of using new technology in your job search? Don’t be, says Find Your Dream Job guest Nicole Blevins. ChatGPT is a tool that can help you be more efficient and can give you the information you need to find the perfect fit. Nicole says ChatGPT can save you hours when creating cover letters and resumes. She also recommends using it to research positions, salary ranges, and sample interview questions. The best way to get comfortable with ChatGPT is to play around with it, learn as much as you can, and discover how it can best help you in your job search. About Our Guest: Nicole Blevins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelizblevins/) is the HR training services manager at Xenium HR (https://xeniumhr.com/). Resources in This Episode: If you want to learn more about ChatGPT and how it can help you in your job search, Nicole invites you to connect with her on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelizblevins/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not every job will have us excited to get up in the morning. Sometimes, we have to take positions to pay the bills. But if you see an opening that excites you, Find Your Dream Job guest Arturo Rodriguez Flores says you should go all in on the opportunity. Arturo suggests using that excitement to fuel your cover letter writing and to research the company for the interview process. Excitement over a position will lead you to know where the company is, where they’re going, and how you can help them get there, says Arturo.  About Our Guest: Arturo Rodriguez (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturo-rodriguez-flores-992281203/) Flores is a recruitment strategist at SEIU Local 503. (https://seiu503.org/) It’s one of the largest labor unions in the state of Oregon.  Resources in This Episode: Want to know more about Arturo and his work with SEIU Local 503? Connect with him on LinkedIn.  From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a crowded job market, if you don’t stand out, you’ll miss out. The best way to network with target employers is by getting clear on your values, says Find Your Dream Job guest Claudia Bruce-Quartey. Know the type of company culture that brings out your best. Claudia also suggests you practice questions to ask in these conversations and also how you will share the value you can bring to the company. And if you feel nervous about meeting with a hiring manager for a conversation, Claudia says execution is everything. So jump! About Our Guest: Claudia Bruce-Quartey (http://linkedin.com/in/claudia-bruce-quartey)is a career coach for female professionals who want to speak confidently about accomplishments and ask for raises. Resources in This Episode: Get your copy of Claudia’s children’s book, “My Hair, My Choice,” which helps black and brown children feel empowered and confident to show up as themselves in the world. (https://www.amazon.com/My-Hair-Choice-Claudia-Bruce-Quartey/dp/1913770281/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OQIQDZ0DCD0P&keywords=Claudia+Bruce-Quartey&qid=1693933856&sprefix=claudia+bruce-quartey%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find yourself hesitant to be authentic in job interviews? Why does it matter? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Shae Noble (http://linkedin.com/in/shaenoble) shares her journey to authenticity and how it led her to take on a specific role. Shae says that knowing what you truly want from a job matters more than where you end up. She suggests making a list of what matters most to you and piecing those things together to create your dream job, then pursuing the companies and positions that can offer those things. Learn more about Shae’s career history below 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

We all know we need to network, yet the thought of being in a room full of strangers making small talk turns many of us off. What if networking could be as natural as speaking with a friend? It can, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Katy Byrtus. Katy says the best network is made up of those people you already know. Katy suggests reaching out to former coworkers, managers, and mentors, considering that people enjoy helping others. A job search can be challenging. Don’t go it alone. Use your network to make it easier and more sustainable than staring at a computer screen for hours on end.  About Our Guest: Katy Byrtus (http://linkedin.com/in/kbyrtus) is a creative recruiter at M+P (https://mathys-potestio.com/) who connects candidates with jobs.  Resources in This Episode: Get your FREE download of Katy’s Top 5 Tips for Networking (In and Out of) Your Job Search by visiting https://thecreativeparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Katy-Byrtus-MP-and-Macs-List.pdf From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying to find a job by sending out mass resumes will only lead to frustration in your job search. You need people who are on your side and who can help you. Find Your Dream Job guest Francina Harrison calls these R-E-A-L relationships; human-to-human interactions that lead to the information you need. As you seek out these REAL relationships, follow the advice Francina offers, “Don’t get anxious; get prepared!” by knowing three things: who you are, what you have, and what you want.  About Our Guest: Francina Harrison (http://linkedin.com/in/careerengineer) is the CEO of The Career Engineer®. (https://tcenow.com/) Her company helps career changers, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. Francina is also the author of A Mind to Work: The Life and Career Planning Guide for People Who STILL Need To Work. (https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Work-Career-Planning-People/dp/069267294X) Resources in This Episode: If you’re feeling anxious about finding your next job, learn more about TCE’s motto - “Don’t get anxious, get prepared!” by visiting the website at tcenow.com/.(https://tcenow.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s easy to reach out to friends and family when we need information during a job search. But have you ever considered networking with a stranger? Making a cold networking request might not be the easiest step you could take, but it can open up opportunities you wouldn’t have known about otherwise, says Find Your Dream Job guest Emma Britton. Even if you don’t know someone, Emma says they’re likely to agree to connect simply to give back. They also realize you, as another professional, have things to offer. So, be confident, reach out, and ask for exactly what you need.  About Our Guest: Emma Britton (http://linkedin.com/in/emma-r-britton) is the director of career services at the National University of Natural Medicine (https://nunm.edu/). Resources in This Episode: If you’re interested in more of what Emma does at NUNM, connect with her on LinkedIn. (http://linkedin.com/in/emma-r-britton) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You feel like you want a change in your career, but you’re scared. Should you change, or should you stay put and appreciate the job you have? A change can be a positive thing, giving you new opportunities in your day-to-day responsibilities, says Find Your Dream Job guest Amechi Udo. Before making any career change, Amechi suggests asking yourself what your desired outcome is. Get clarity around what you want in a new position, and then use the resources you already have to pursue the opportunity. Start with your skills, talents, and experience and grow from there.  About Our Guest: Amechi Udo (http://linkedin.com/in/careercoachforexecutives) is the founder of Your Career Matters (https://www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/). Amechi’s company helps you take charge of your career. Resources in This Episode: Download your FREE guide, The Seven Steps to Career Change Success, at www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/findyourdreamjob (http://www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/findyourdreamjob). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Careers typically evolve on a fairly linear path. You graduate college, get your first job or internship, and proceed to grow in your field. But what if you turned this path on its head? What if, instead of getting a new job after fifteen years in the workforce, you go back to school and then begin an internship? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Rowena Paz Norman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenapaznorman/) shares how her journey to her dream job didn’t look like she expected it to. Rowena talks about why going back to school was the right step for her and what it was like being an intern in her mid-thirties. Learn more about Rowena’s career history below 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

Are you afraid of annoying others by asking them for time to “pick their brain?” There is a better way to ask for someone’s time, says Find Your Dream Job guest Tad Mayer. You begin by figuring out exactly what information you want from this person. But the most important piece, according to Tad, is understanding what you can offer to them. If you have something they value, they are more likely to give you 30 minutes of their time. Tad also recommends asking questions that allow the other person to share their career stories. Networking is a great way to draw out details that can help you in your own career journey.  About Our Guest: Tad Mayer (http://linkedin.com/in/tadmayer) is a career coach at Essex Partners (https://www.essexpartners.com/). His company helps senior executives in transition.    Resources in This Episode: If you’d like your job search to be empowering and full of wonderful experiences, get your copy of the book Tad co-authored, Finding a Job That Loves You Back (https://www.amazon.com/Finding-That-Loves-Back-Conversations/dp/1737946904/ref=sr_1_1). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congratulations on getting an interview! Now, what is your plan for standing out from the other candidates who are interviewing for your dream job? Using the STAR method to share your professional experience is a great way to connect with a hiring manager, says Find Your Dream Job guest Donna McCullough. Employers want to know who you are, not just what you can do. Donna suggests preparing “Eight Greats,” eight stories that showcase your previous wins in your career. These stories will engage the interviewer and make you unforgettable.  About Our Guest: Donna McCullough (http://linkedin.com/in/donnacmccullough) is the founder of Claravia Consulting (https://claraviaconsulting.wixsite.com/claraviaconsulting). Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to take the next step in your career but you aren’t sure what it should be, let Donna be your guide. Learn more about her career coaching services at claraviaconsulting.wixsite.com/claraviaconsulting. From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been trying to find a job with little success? Perhaps it’s time to ask someone to help you. In this episode, Find Your Dream Job guest Ellen Recko shares why it’s a poor strategy to job search alone. Job search mentors can offer more than just available openings; they can help you find clarity in what you want in your next position, as well as boost your confidence in what you have to offer. Ellen says one of the best ways to speed up your job search is to reach out to people who can help. That can be a formal mentor, a friend, or a paid career coach.  About Our Guest: Ellen Recko (http://linkedin.com/in/ellenrecko) is a career coach with Lake Grove Job Seekers (https://lakegrovejobseekers.org/). Resources in This Episode: If you’re going through a job transition and you need help clearing the mind clutter, learn how Ellen and her team can help you through their website at lakegrovejobseekers.org/. (https://lakegrovejobseekers.org/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you. Confidence is the key factor in getting the job you’ve dreamed of, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Jamila Brown. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who know their value and what they have to offer. Jamila also says your job search is business, so if you don’t get hired, it’s not a personal rejection. And finally, have options. It’s nice to get an interview, but multiple interviews are more likely to lead to a job offer. Don’t stop at plan A; have plans B, C, D, and E in the background to pull from.  About Our Guest: Jamila Brown (http://linkedin.com/in/jamilabrown) is a career strategist and a co-founder of the 5 Minute Career Hack.(https://www.5minutecareerhack.com/) Resources in This Episode: Are you ready for a career coach to help you find your dream job? Discover how Jamila can help you by visiting her website at www.5minutecareerhack.com/.(http://www.5minutecareerhack.com/) Check out Jamila’s ebook, The Career, The Bag, The Life. (https://www.5minutecareerhack.com/offers/bTv7CreC/checkout) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices