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

Do you get nervous before and during an interview? That’s natural, says Find Your Dream Job guest John Neral. After all, you want the job, right? But John says there’s a better way to approach an interview; simply having coffee and conversing with a colleague. The most important thing you can do is show the hiring manager exactly how you can help them solve the problems they need to be solved and why you are the best person for the job. Your goal is to build a relationship in the time you have that leads to a job offer.  About Our Guest: John Neral (http://linkedin.com/in/johnneral) is a career coach who helps mid-career professionals find a job they love or love the job they have.  John also hosts The Mid-Career GPS Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mid-career-gps-podcast/id1548327541). Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to make a mid-career change, tune in to John’s podcast, The Mid-Career GPS Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mid-career-gps-podcast/id1548327541)

A job search can be grueling. Hours and hours spent on perfecting your resume, sending in applications, networking, and interviewing can take their toll. What if you paced yourself and went a bit slower but you were more focused on what you wanted? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jenny Affan (http://linkedin.com/in/jennyaffan) shares how she decided what was important to her in her next job, and how she made the entire process more fun and less stressful. Learn more about Jenny’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories (https://www.macslist.org/success-stories/a-job-market-in-flux-jenny-affans-job-search-success-story)series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready to answer the question, “How have you handled failure in past positions?” If not, you’re not ready for behavioral interview questions. These questions aren’t about memorizing answers, says Find Your Dream Job guest Porschia Parker-Griffin. These questions are a chance to share your accomplishments. Hiring managers want results; sharing your results shows them what they can expect from you on the job. It’s also crucial to practice so that you’re comfortable sharing these stories and therefore avoiding long pauses in the interview.  About Our Guest: Porschia Parker-Griffin (http://linkedin.com/in/porschiaparker) is the founder and CEO of Fly High Coaching (https://www.fly-highcoaching.com/). Her company helps you find your ideal career, generate an awesome income, and create a life you love. Resources in This Episode: Porschia loves helping job seekers nail down their interviewing skills. Find out how she can help you by visiting her website at Fly High Coaching (https://www.fly-highcoaching.co

Seven seconds. That’s how much time a recruiter spends on an initial resume scan. What can you do to make those seven seconds count? Find Your Dream Job guest Keirsten Greggs says you start by having all the important facts in the right place. Share your experience and the specific, positive ways you impacted your previous employer. Keirsten also recommends focusing on how your past experience would make this the perfect job for you, and “speaking in your own voice.” Don’t use vocabulary that you think a hiring manager wants to hear; use the language of the industry.  About Our Guest: Keirsten Greggs (https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/) is the founder and CEO of TRAP Recruiter (https://traprecruiter.com/). It’s a recruiting and career coaching firm that bridges the gap between job seekers and employers. Resources in This Episode: If you need someone to help you bridge the gap between yourself as a job seeker and employers, Keirsten would love to help. Find out how she can help you by visiting trapr

For the first time in decades, there are more jobs open than people who want them. What does this mean for you? It means that you now have the freedom to pursue what you truly want instead of settling for what you can get. Find Your Dream Job guest Sha Lee Hornsby says now is the perfect time to make the career change you’ve been putting off. Flexibility is more available than ever, and employers are willing to hire you even if you have gaps in your resume. Sha recommends finding your community and using it to help you get where you want to go. About Our Guest: Sha Lee Hornsby (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sha-hornsby-37326312/) is a staffing and HR expert with more than 20 years of experience. Sha also hosts the award-winning Cool Careers Podcast (https://shaleehornsby.com/). Resources in This Episode: Not sure what your dream job would look like? Check out Sha’s podcast, Cool Careers Podcast (https://shaleehornsby.com/), where she talks to people about their jobs and why they love them. From our Sponsor

Hiring managers are sorting through hundreds of applications for each job opening they post. What can you do to stand out enough to gain an interview or get hired? Find Your Dream Job guest Jackie Dunckley says to begin with purpose. Know what you want and have a plan for how to make it happen. Jackie also stresses the necessity of using your network. One way to do this is by building a robust LinkedIn account. Finally, don’t be afraid to tell the hiring manager how you see your future with the company and what you have to offer long-term. About Our Guest: Jackie Dunckley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiedunckley/) is an HR leader with almost 20 years of experience.  Resources in This Episode: Jackie welcomes connections on LinkedIn from listeners of this podcast. Find her at www.linkedin.com/in/jackiedunckley/.(http://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiedunckley/) 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 professi

If there is a specific company or field you want to get into, how long are you willing to persevere to get there? What if you get multiple interviews over several years with this company but never get called back? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Judge Kemp (https://www.linkedin.com/in/judge-kemp-20366917/) shares how he used the power of perseverance to get his dream job. Judge also shares how networking put him in a position to find out about jobs he was interested in. Learn more about Judge’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 don’t have interviewing experience, you might wonder how to succeed at them. But if you’ve ever been on a date, there are lessons you can transfer to the world of job seeking. Find Your Dream Job guest, Matthew Sorensen, says don’t go too deep, too fast with your questions, and under no circumstances should you focus on your ex (employer.) If you get an offer, respond with enthusiasm, even if you aren’t sure you will accept. Expect to be nervous, but speak positively about how you see your future with this company and what you have to offer. About Our Guest: Matthew Sorensen (http://linkedin.com/in/sorensenmatthew) is a former executive recruiter and search firm owner, and the founder of the  Candidate Club (https://www.candidateclub.com/). Matthew’s company helps you improve your interview skills, avoid costly mistakes, and get the job offer. Resources in This Episode: Matthew’s podcast, The Job Interview Experience, can help you nail your next interview. Listen by visiting jobinterviewexperience.c

You don’t have to be nervous about interview questions if you know what to expect. But how can you predict what the hiring manager will ask? It’s simple, says Find Your Dream Job guest Max Chan. Most positions have common questions that are asked in every interview, so prepare for those ahead of time by studying the job ad. Then, have some general career success stories that you can pull out and tweak to answer any questions you don’t have an answer prepared for.  About Our Guest: Max Chan (http://linkedin.com/in/chan-max) is a career coach, podcaster, and founder of Chan With A Plan (https://chanwithaplan.com/) Resources in This Episode: Are you ready to stop searching for your dream job and start working it? Find out how Max can help you by visiting chanwithaplan.com. (https://chanwithaplan.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

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” It may be a cliche, but when interviewing for a job, it’s true. Those first few minutes make a lasting impression in the hiring manager’s mind, so you have to use them to your advantage. Find Your Dream Job guest Priscilla Weninger Bulcha says you need to connect your experience and vision with the position. Share the reasons you’re excited about the job and how you see yourself growing in the role in the future.  About Our Guest: Priscilla Weninger Bulcha (http://linkedin.com/in/pweninger) is a human capital management consultant and Latinx career coach based in Austin, Texas. Resources in This Episode: If you’re a BIPOC young professional trying to figure out your next career move, be sure to check out Priscilla’s podcast, Early Career Moves Podcast (https://ecmpodcast.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 inter

You’ve been offered a job and you’re seriously considering accepting but the salary isn’t quite what you had hoped for. Do you just accept? Or do you negotiate? Research shows that if you’re a woman, you likely won’t negotiate. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Tejal Wagadia, women fear repercussions of negotiating salary. But employers expect it, so you need to learn to do it well. Be the first to bring up benefits, know what your non-negotiables are, and remember, the worst the employer can do is say no.  About Our Guest: Tejal Wagadia (http://linkedin.com/in/tejalwagadia) is a LinkedIn Top Voice and an award-winning talent leader. Tejal helps people learn what recruiters want through her blog, LinkedIn articles, and social media posts. Resources in This Episode: Subscribe to Tejal’s newsletter, Caffeinated Careers (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6888999202198822912/) for regular articles geared toward job seekers and recruiters.  From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by Top

Not many people enjoy networking, but what if it looked different than you imagine? What if, instead of walking into a large gathering, it looked like taking someone to lunch? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jake Neilson (http://linkedin.com/in/jakeneilson) shares how regular lunch dates with someone in a company he wanted to pursue led to the job of his dreams. He also talks about the value of perseverance, and how kindness has led to others reaching out to help him. Learn more about Jake’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

You’re ready to make a change in your career but you’re not sure of the exact direction you want to take. Your vision should lead to opportunities to better your position over time. If you don’t know where to begin, Find Your Dream Job guest Sonja Price suggests utilizing a career coach. The right coach can help you determine your path and get clarity on what your goals are. If it’s time for the next step in your career, the right career coach can help you get there.  About Our Guest: Sonja Price (http://linkedin.com/in/sonjaprice) is a top career strategist, salary advisor, and leadership expert. Resources in This Episode: “Increase Your Income” Masterclass Discover How To Increase Your Income By $20,000 to $100,000 or MORE Per YEAR!... By Making ONE Simple Change To Your Career! Watch this short 14-minute FREE Masterclass to learn more. www.DynamoCareers.com (http://www.dynamocareers.com/) Dynamo Careers Website + Other Resources  Explore free articles and career guides that can help professionals under

You feel unhappy at work but you aren't sure what to do about it. Should you look for a new job, or change careers entirely? Find Your Dream Job guest Al Dea says you begin by figuring out what’s causing the unhappiness. Dig down into the nitty-gritty details of what you don’t like about your job. Then, think about what would be a happy workday for you. Are there changes you can make at your current job to make those things a reality? Al suggests not worrying about the ultimate outcome but rather focusing on each little step toward happiness along the way.  About Our Guest: Al Dea (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aldea1/) is a talent development advisor, author, and speaker. Al is also the founder of Betterwork Labs (https://betterworklabs.com/) and the host of The MBA Insider (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mba-insider/id1504586425) podcast.  Resources in This Episode: Are you ready to build the performance of your team? Find out how Al can help you by visiting betterworklabs.com/ (https://betterworkla

You need a job and you need it now. So it can be frustrating when you apply for positions, maybe even have interviews, and then don’t hear anything back. What do you do? Find Your Dream Job guest Brenda Abdilla is here to tell us how to reach out to hiring managers in a way that shows you’re on their team. Brenda shares the chaos that some companies are facing due to the labor shortage and why that delays hiring practices. She also gives specific questions to ask so that you know how long you can expect the hiring process to take.  About Our Guest: Brenda Abdilla (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaabdilla/) is an executive and career coach. Brenda is also the author of Outsmarting Crazytown: A Business Novel About How Derailed Professionals Can Get Back on Track (https://managementmomentum.net/outsmarting-crazy-town). Resources in This Episode: Are you ready for a career change? Find out how Brenda can help you by visiting managementmomentum.net/our-services (https://managementmomentum.net/our-services).

Gaps on a resume are no longer the red flag they used to be; the COVID pandemic has made gaps more common. But how do you talk about your gaps? Find Your Dream Job guest Esther Leonard says you have to be honest. Share (as much as you feel comfortable) about why you have the gap, but also any skills you built during your absence from the workforce. Esther advises continuing to network and build your confidence that you are the right person for the role you want.  About Our Guest: Esther Leonard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheryvetteleonard/) is a career coach and talent recruitment professional. Esther also hosts Beyond Her Grind (https://www.beyondhergrind.com/). It’s a weekly podcast that gets into the root of what motivates women of color to want more in their careers. Resources in This Episode: Book a session with Esther to get your career kick-started on the right path by visiting www.estherthecareercoach.com/services (http://www.estherthecareercoach.com/services). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dre

Do you ever leave an interview feeling like the hiring manager knows nothing about you? That’s a response we hear often. How can you answer common interview questions while leaving an impression on the interviewer? Find Your Dream Job guest Madeline Mann says you begin by choosing stories and accomplishments that are relevant to the role you’re interviewing for. Next, Madeline advises showing how this role is perfect for you, based on your experience and purpose. Finally, make sure each of your answers displays your character and your desire to make a difference for this particular company.  About Our Guest: Madeline Mann (https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemann/) is an HR and recruiting leader whose career coaching programs have helped thousands. Madeline also hosts the award-winning YouTube channel, Self Made Millennial (https://www.youtube.com/c/SelfMadeMillennial). Resources in This Episode: Register for Madeline’s free 5-day class, Upgrade Your Career, by visiting www.selfmadeway.com/webinar-opt-in (

Searching for your next job can lead to discouragement and even despair. Where do you find the motivation to keep moving forward when you feel like it’s too hard? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Clarke Hylton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarkehylton/) and I discuss the steps he took to overcome inertia and discouragement during his own job search. Clarke says the first step is figuring out what it is you really want to do. And from there, networking is the fastest way to the job you want. Learn more about Clarke’s career history in this installment of our Success Stories series (https://www.macslist.org/success-stories/starting-fresh-in-a-new-city-clarke-hyltons-job-search-success-story). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve been called in for an interview. That’s great news! Now, it’s time to prepare. Do you know how to get ready for a job interview? Find Your Dream Job guest Thaddeus B. Dunn says it starts with researching the company. Know what the company values and who the interviewer will be. Study the job description and use points from it to highlight your skills and successes. Prepare questions that will allow you to build rapport with the hiring manager, and practice asking and answering questions with a trusted friend or coach.  About Our Guest: Thaddeus B. Dunn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaddeusdunn/) is the founder of Right Fit Recruiting (https://rightfitrecruiting.net/). Thaddeus’s company serves healthcare organizations, nonprofits, financial institutions, and government agencies. Resources in This Episode: Learn more about Thaddeus and his company by visiting the website at rightfitrecruiting.net/ (https://rightfitrecruiting.net). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.

Merely mentioning the words “applicant tracking system” can strike fear in the heart of a job seeker. We tend to fear what we aren’t familiar with and when our livelihood is on the line, it’s easy to understand why. But rather than fear them, Find Your Dream Job guest Matt Warzel says you need to learn how to benefit from them. When approached correctly, an ATS can help you get in front of a hiring manager more quickly, and allow you to showcase your skills prior to an interview. Matt shares the exact method he uses with clients to get the best results when applying through an ATS.  About Our Guest: Matt Warzel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjwcareers/) is a certified resume writer and the president of MJW Careers (https://mjwcareers.com/). Matt’s company helps you find your next job faster and with a better salary. Resources in This Episode: For more insight into how managers and recruiters think, follow Matt’s blog and sign up for his newsletter at jobstickers.com (https://mjwcareers.com/news/). From our