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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16814&preview=true) Networking doesn't have to feel transactional or awkward. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career counselor Leah Payne shares why the best networking happens when you follow your interests. When you show up to events and communities that matter to you, you’ll meet people who care about the same things, and genuine connections will follow.Leah walks through helpful strategies for connecting with your community: joining professional associations, using LinkedIn's alumni search filters, and asking people in your network for referrals. In every conversation, she says to lead with curiosity, not an agenda. The relationships you build today may not pay off for months, but they can make a difference down the road.About Our Guest:Leah Payne is a career counselor at Portland State University.Resources in This Episode:Connect with Leah on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16810&preview=true) If you’re like most people, you don’t enjoy talking about your greatest accomplishments. It can feel uncomfortable to “toot your own horn,” even when a hiring manager asks you about your skills and expertise. If you want to stand out in today’s tough job market, Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Gross says you must overcome this reluctance. Elizabeth shares how to emphasize your accomplishments on your resume, as well as the best way to sell yourself on LinkedIn. About Our Guest:Elizabeth Gross is the owner of Job Search Divas, where she offers a range of career-related services, including resume writing, career coaching, job search strategies, networking skills, and interview preparation.Resources in This Episode:To find out more about Elizabeth and the services she offers, visit her website at www.jobsearchdivas.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16816&preview=true)More than 120 job seekers, students, and community members gathered at the Ecotrust Building’s Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center in Portland on Thursday, May 7, for a conversation about one of the most important aspects of the job search: mentorship.Hosted by Mac’s List and presenting sponsor Portland State University, You’re Not Alone: Using Mentorship to Pivot, Progress, and Land Your Next Job featured a panel of career coaches, HR leaders, and executives. Here is a recording of that event.About Our Guests:​Gina Riley, Executive Career Coach, Gina Riley Consulting​Ed Johnson, Chief Executive Officer – Community Health Centers at OHSU and Board Member of PSU Foundation​Tia B. Coachman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Affirma ConsultancySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16807&preview=true) Referrals matter in hiring, and professional associations are one of the best places to build them. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, Mac talks with career coach and former recruiter Cheryl Ferguson about how to find the right association, ease first-meeting nerves, and make meaningful connections.Cheryl also explains why volunteering and speaking can put you on a hiring manager's radar before a job opens up and why the biggest mistake people make is showing up only when they need a job. Cheryl says show up consistently, share your knowledge, and enjoy yourself.About Our Guest:Cheryl Ferguson is a coach who works with people who want a better career. Previously, Cheryl was a recruiter for more than 25 years.Resources in This Episode:Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16773&preview=true) What do you say when a hiring manager asks you why you’re looking for a new job? If this question makes you feel defensive, Find Your Dream Job guest Susan Peppercorn says you need to find a way to put a positive spin on your answer, even if the truth is that you were fired or laid off. Hiring managers understand difficult situations, so don’t be afraid to be honest, while not spewing negativity toward a former employer. Susan advises focusing on what you bring to the table and why you’re interested in working with that company.About Our Guest:Susan Peppercorn is a coach, writer, and speaker. She's passionate about helping people move from surviving to thriving in their careers. Susan is the author of the bestselling "Ditch Your Inner Critic At Work: Evidence-Based Strategies To Thrive In Your Career."Resources in This Episode:Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16765&preview=true) An open job can get hundreds of applications. To stand out, you need to show employers how you can solve their problems, and that starts with knowing your story. Career coach Connie Teng joins Find Your Dream Job to break down what recruiters are listening for when you walk them through your resume, and why your "why" matters just as much as your skills and experience.Connie shares strategies for crafting a career narrative that connects your past roles, your motivations, and your strengths to the employer's specific needs. She also digs into the role limiting beliefs play in holding candidates back and how to get unstuck. Whether you're preparing for a recruiter screen or a final-round interview, this episode will help you walk in ready to show your value and make a lasting impression.About Our Guest:Connie Teng is a leadership and career coach who helps mid-career professionals and emergi

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16759&preview=true)If you're like most folks, you feel nervous when going into a job interview. And science has shown that a lack of self-confidence directly affects your body language, which can distract the hiring manager or make you appear less suited for the job. You don’t want to walk into an interview room and try to wing it. You want to walk in there with confidence. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, John Ribeiro, says that confidence comes from changing your mindset, preparing what you’re going to say, and sharing stories that show your true and authentic self. About Our Guest:John Ribeiro gives people what they need to ace a job interview. He prepares you with the skills and mindset to answer those tough questions that will lead you to a job offer. John is also a veteran hiring manager. And he’s a professional public speaker, podcaster, and co-author of the book Zero2hired: Successfull

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16761&preview=true) Your credentials get you in the door. But to land the job, you have to stand out. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, guest expert Sue Barber explains why so many job seekers undersell themselves and what to do instead. She works with high achievers who stay in the background, and she's made a career of helping them step forward and speak up about the value they bring.Sue walks through how to take inventory of your strengths, use language that matches the level you're going for, and apply the "show, don't tell" principle to your interview answers. She also talks about what imposter syndrome looks like in the interview room and how to push through it. If you've ever deflected credit or downplayed your role in a project, this episode is for you.About Our Guest:Sue Barber is a coach who helps under-the-radar high achievers transform into visible leaders. Sue is also the host of The Visibil

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16770&preview=true) On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Catherine Van shares how she transitioned from her childhood dream of being a broadcast journalist to becoming a DEIB leader at the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon's largest private charitable funder. When the nonstop news cycle took a toll, she pivoted into nonprofit and corporate communications, bringing her commitment to storytelling and social justice.Years later, after returning from maternity leave at another organization, Catherine faced an unexpected layoff. By leaning on her network and reframing her skills, she found her way into equity work. Catherine talks about the psychological toll of rejection, the power of reframing your skills for a new context, and why the job search is never a solo sport. About Our Guest:Catherine Van leads equity initiatives at the Oregon Community Foundation.Resources in This Episode:Connect with C

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16732&preview=true) Figuring out the next step on your career journey takes energy and focus. If your strategy so far has been to apply everywhere and see what happens, getting clear on your purpose has powerful benefits. Find Your Dream Job guest Erin Thomas says you need to know exactly what type of job is going to leverage your unique talents and strengths. Erin also shares the five-step process she uses with clients to get clear about who you are and about what matters most to you in a job search. About Our Guest:Erin Thomas is a career and leadership coach, organizational development expert, and human resources professional. Over the past 15 years, Erin has worked with hundreds of people from all around the globe to uncover their unique leadership stance and voice, putting them in the driver's seat of their career and life.Resources in This Episode:To learn more about Erin’s career coaching, visit he

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16754&preview=true) Opportunities don't move through job postings; they move through people. Executive coach Cam Yenokida joins Find Your Dream Job to talk about what intentional networking looks like: why referrals carry so much weight with hiring managers, why you don't need a perfect connection to get one, and how to build a strategy that keeps you focused without burning you out.Cam also gets real about the emotional side of a job search: the fatigue, the identity questions, the moments you want to give up. He shares how to follow up in ways that feel genuine, how to know when a conversation was worth your time, and why the best thing you can bring to any networking interaction is a clear sense of your own value.About Our Guest:Cam Yenokida is an executive coach and the founder of Achieve Excellence. Resources in This Episode:Connect with Cam on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16726&preview=true)If you’ve ever decided not to apply for a job because you didn’t have 100 percent of the requirements, you may want to revise your strategy. Employers know that there is no perfect candidate for the jobs they advertise. You might be the best applicant with only 60-70 percent of the skills required. But how do you explain the lack of certain skills in an interview? Find Your Dream Job guest Eric B. Horn suggests assuring the hiring manager that you are willing to pursue training and further education if necessary. Eric also shares how to know when the lack of specific skills is a deal-breaker.About Our Guest:Eric B. Horn is a career strategist. national speaker, trainer, and seminar leader who has a unique passion for serving professionals with seven or fewer years of work experience, and business owners, become more successful. Eric is also the author of “How Professional is Your Development” and

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16723&preview=true) Here's the job search paradox: the faster you apply, the longer it takes. Career coach Adriane Jones has watched candidates send out hundreds of applications and land right back where they started. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, she makes the case for slowing down first.Adriane walks through four steps to get clear on what you want before you start applying: look inward, step away from your screen, do a time audit, and have conversations with people in roles that interest you. She also tackles the tension between needing a job now and finding work that feels like a longer-term fit. When you know what you're after, the search gets shorter, the interviews get easier, and the outcome gets better.About Our Guest:Adriane Jones helps organizations build learning and talent development programs that let you grow at every stage of your career. Adriane is also the host of The Career Breaker

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16716&preview=true) More than 100 job seekers and communicators gathered at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication in Portland on Thursday, Feb. 12, for our first quarterly event of the year, Skills Communicators Need in 2026 to Thrive in an Uncertain Job Market.In this recording of the event, you'll hear three seasoned communications and hiring professionals talk about what gets candidates noticed, why the story you tell about yourself is what hiring managers remember, and how to stay strategic and hopeful in a difficult job market.About Our Guests:Regina Lawrence, interim dean of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and CommunicationPanelistsFelicia Rivers, founder at Your Talent AllyMark Kajitani, vice president of operations at Meyer Memorial TrustNicole Leverich, senior vice president and chief communications officer at LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16702&preview=true) In most job interviews, the hiring manager will lead with questions like “Tell me about a time when …” Or, “Have you ever faced a situation where…?” These are both examples of behavioral interview questions. Before you walk into an interview, you need to be ready for every possible iteration of a behavioral interview question. Find Your Dream Job guest Gina Riley emphasizes that behavioral interview questions give you an opportunity to showcase your skills, demonstrate how you work with a team, and highlight how you’ll excel in the role.About Our Guest:Gina Riley is an executive career coach and leadership search consultant with the Talence Group. Her experience in recruitment, interviewing, and leadership talent development led her to develop a career coaching program to help executives clarify and better articulate their career stories. Resources in This Episode:If you’re ready for execut

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16699&preview=true) What do you do when someone asks what kind of work you want, and you genuinely don't know? Steven Rothberg, founder of College Recruiter, has an answer, and it starts with a legal pad and three columns. In this episode, Steven walks through his framework for identifying your career sweet spot by mapping your competencies, interests, and values side by side. He explains why telling employers "I'll do anything" is the kiss of death in a job search and what it signals to recruiters managing dozens of open roles at once. Whether you're a new graduate or a mid-career professional at a crossroads, his approach will help you focus your search, perform better in interviews, and land a role where you'll want to stay.About Our Guest:Steven Rothberg is the founder of the College Recruiter job board. Resources in This Episode:Connect with Steven on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16685&preview=true) It’s not uncommon to feel as though a job interview is an interrogation and that your entire life is on display for the interviewer to pick apart. But an interview is actually a two-way conversation. And while it’s important to prepare for the questions you may get, Find Your Dream Job guest Rachel Beohm says it’s also crucial that you walk into the room with confidence and the knowledge that you belong there. Rachel shares how eye contact, positive body language, and knowing your value before you walk into the interview can help you to come across more confidently.About Our Guest:Rachel Beohm is an executive coach and speaker who specializes in nonverbal communication and personal presence. She trains executives, HR professionals, speakers, and job seekers to present themselves powerfully through the use of nonverbal communication skills so they can achieve their goals, and

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16679&preview=true)  When someone asks what you want in your next job, it can feel safer to say, “I can do anything.” But that answer can make it harder for employers and people in your network to understand where you fit. Career and leadership coach Shannon Bloom explains why a broad message can slow your search and make it harder to stand out compared to candidates with a clear goal. She shares how to identify your strengths, values, and impact so you can show what makes you distinct and back it up with clear examples. She recommends writing down your accomplishments, asking colleagues for feedback, and looking into roles that fit your skills and interests. Relationships play a big part in the job search, since many positions come through referrals and conversations. When you’re clear about what you want and what you offer, it’s much easier for people to point you toward opportunities that match your goals. Abo

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16682&preview=true) Sometimes, a LinkedIn connection from the past can change the course of your job search. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Joy Reimer, the sole recruiter at Century West Engineering, shares how staying active and engaged on LinkedIn eventually led her to the role she holds today. Joy says the key is to keep showing up, stay positive, and not overlook the connections you’ve already made. She also talks about the habits that made a difference in her search: thinking beyond a single job title, using AI tools to uncover roles she might not have found otherwise, and skipping the “easy apply” button in favor of going directly to company websites. Joy also makes the case that networking isn’t something you do only during a job search. It’s something you practice all the time. Along the way, she learned to celebrate small wins, brush off being ghosted, and trust her instincts when somethin

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/podcasts/career-happiness/how-to-choose-the-right-career-for-you-with-dalan-vanterpool) One of the biggest challenges that you will face in your professional life is choosing a career. It’s not only recent college graduates who face this challenge. Most of us will change careers at least once during our working lives. How do you find the job that’s the best fit for you, no matter your age? Find Your Dream Job guest Dalan Vanterpool says that before you begin thinking about certain roles, you need to ask yourself five specific questions. The answers to these questions can help you land a job that not only allows you to excel in your work, but also provides an atmosphere that you enjoy being a part of every day. About Our Guest: Dalan Vanterpool is a private banker and career development expert from the British Virgin Islands. Dalan hosts the Careers and Cash Flow podcast. His show helps young professionals build meaningful careers that lead to