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

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

Your mindset not only affects how you see yourself, but it also affects how others see you. However, mindset is often confused with goals. Find Your Dream Job guest Angela Yeh explains that mindset is having a healthy awareness of your strengths, weaknesses, and what type of situations you thrive in. A healthy mindset about yourself, your career, and your abilities allows you to clearly identify what opportunities might be right for you. Angela also shares the importance of leaving behind limiting beliefs and adopting a growth mindset to successfully navigate a career pivot.  About Our Guest: Angela Yeh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaeyeh/) is the founder of two businesses: Yeh IDeology (https://www.yehideology.com/), a design recruitment firm, and Thrive by Design (http://www.thrivebydesign.today/), an executive coaching program. Through her work, Angela helps professionals navigate, curate, and sustain a successful path to accomplishing their goals.  Resources in This Episode: Find more information

If you’re considering enlisting a staffing agency to help you find your next job, you need to understand exactly how they work. Find Your Dream Job guests Heather Gordon and Moira Farnsworth join Mac this week to underline that recruiters are not career coaches. A recruiter works with both the job seeker and the employer, trying to find the perfect position for the job seeker and the right person for the employer. Heather and Moira also share the importance of having clear goals before reaching out to recruiters so they can help you identify the right role.  About Our Guests: Heather Gordon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathergordo/) is a senior recruiter and Moira Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/moirafarnsworth/) is a staffing consultant at Boly:Welch (https://bolywelch.com/), a staffing agency in Portland, Oregon. With backgrounds in business development and HR, they now specialize in helping clients hire top talent and match candidates with jobs they love.  Resources in This Episode: For helpf

Do you attend networking events but find yourself talking only to people you already know? Meetups and mixers can be awkward, especially if you’re shy or you don’t know anyone there. Find Your Dream Job guest David Burkus says you can confidently skip any event where the only purpose is a vague sense of connecting. If you do attend, David says, focus on conversations that delve into topics outside of work. And whenever possible, look for events that have a purpose, such as a charity drive or a shared activity that benefits others.  About Our Guest: David Burkus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/) is an author, speaker, and associate professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University. His newest book, “Friend of a Friend,” (https://davidburkus.com/books/friend-of-a-friend/) offers readers a new perspective on how to grow their networks and build key connections based on the science of human behavior.  Resources in This Episode: For tips that will help you do your best work, check out

Networking is crucial, not only when you’re looking for a new job, but even before you find your first one. Your college professors can be a great resource for networking with leaders in your chosen field of study. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Liz Mead and I talk about how she used LinkedIn and her university contacts to find companies that reflected her values. Liz also shares how she began building up her list of connections at a young age and how she used those connections to get informational interviews that ultimately led to her dream job.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No matter who you are or what you do, eventually, you will have gaps on your resume. It’s simply unavoidable. Whether you take time off to raise a family, get laid off, or you leave a job after a short period of time, you will have to deal with gaps. Find Your Dream Job guest Chris Villanueva says that how you deal with these gaps on your resume can mean the difference between getting a callback or your resume being thrown in the trash. Chris also shares how to positively reframe resume gaps and set yourself up for job search success. About Our Guest: Chris Villanueva (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-villanueva-cprw/) is the founder and CEO of Let's Eat, Grandma (https://www.letseatgrandma.com/). It’s a professional writing service for resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Chris is also a certified professional resume writer. And he’s the host of the Career Warrior podcast (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/career-warrior-podcast-lets-eat-grandma-ySov5k89Q-a/). Resources in This Episode: I

Recruiters receive dozens of cover letters and resumes every day. How can you increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters online and receive more job offers? Find Your Dream Job guest Blake Thiess offers a specific set of strategies. In order to get noticed online, Blake says you need to engage with recruiters in your chosen industry often enough to be recognized. Blake also shares the types of content you need to be posting online on a regular basis. About Our Guest: Blake Thiess (https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakethiess/) is the director of talent acquisition for Prestige Care. It’s a skilled nursing and senior care company with more than 85 locations in eight states. He’s passionate about training and development and all things recruiting, human resources, and job seeking. Resources in This Episode: If you’d like to know more about employment opportunities at Prestige Care, visit their website at prestigecare.com/careers. Your presence online is critical in order for employers to find you.

Switching job sectors can be challenging for any job seeker. But it's not impossible to make the switch, especially if you have a strong network of support around you. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Amy Chu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amynchu/) and I discuss how she went from a career in technology to a more fulfilling one in the nonprofit world. Amy also shares how she used networking and professional organizations within the nonprofit field to build up a significant support network that still supports her today. Learn more about Amy’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories). What do you do for a career? Who do you work for? I am the Data and Information Administrator for Sisters of the Road (https://sistersoftheroad.org/), a nonprofit Cafe in the Old Town neighborhood working to create systemic change that will end poverty and homelessness forever by providing accessible, nourishing meals in a safe, dignifi

Leaving your job sector for an entirely new industry can seem impossible, especially if you have been in your career for a number of years. It is possible, however, to transfer your skill set to a new sector, without having to go back for an advanced degree or specialized training.  Find Your Dream Job guest Minda Harts shares the three steps you need to take to convince a hiring manager that your current skills can easily transfer to the job you want. Minda says that the better you can articulate your career wins, the more you can set yourself up for success in a new industry. About Our Guest: Minda Harts (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindaharts/) is an adjunct professor at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She’s the founder of The Memo (https://www.myweeklymemo.com/), a career development company for women of color. And she’s the author of the forthcoming book, “The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table.” She also hosts the weekly caree

Tech is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, with a projected 5% growth on $4 trillion in revenue this year alone. There are many opportunities to break into the tech world, even if you have no background in technology or specialized degree. Find Your Dream Job guest Lida Tohidi says that the first step toward finding your ideal job in the tech field is figuring out the roles you are qualified for. Lida also shares why research is crucial when deciding where to apply and the importance of building relationships with fellow tech professionals and mentors. About Our Guest: Lida Tohidi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidatohidi/) is an experienced digital marketer, program manager, and strategic planner. She’s passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in technology companies. Lida speaks regularly at technology conferences and runs a mastermind program for women in tech. Resources in This Episode: For more information on Lida’s masterminds for people wanting to break into the tech

Employers have several main goals for their companies and one of those goals is saving money. There are several ways they do this but one of the most frustrating for job seekers is through lowball salary offers. This doesn’t mean they only have their interests in mind; they’re simply making a business decision. Find Your Dream Job guest Lisa Gates says that as a job seeker, you can be proactive by preparing for your interview, deciding ahead of time what your must-haves are, and taking the initiative to bring up salary early in the conversation.  Lisa also tells us how doing your research ahead of time gives you the information you need to ask for the salary you want. About Our Guest: Lisa Gates (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/lisa-gates) is a negotiation and leadership coach and co-founder of She Negotiates. Lisa helps women close wage and leadership gaps. Drawing on her work as an actor and storyteller, Lisa helps you land the job, get that raise and promotion, and hit your goals out of the

If you find yourself avoiding networking events, maybe you need to change your mindset around them. It’s normal to feel nervous when you don’t know anyone who will be there or you feel unsure of what to say or do. Find Your Dream Job guest Linda Van Valkenburgh says that preparation is the key when attending a networking event. Linda also advises putting together a one-pager to distribute rather than your resume, bringing business cards, and thinking through what you want to share before you get there. About Our Guest: Linda Van Valkenburgh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindavan/) is a certified executive career coach. She helps her clients plan, manage, and organize individualized career campaigns. Linda is a frequent speaker at networking and professional groups. She also has presented at the Yale School of Management and the University of Connecticut’s School of Business. Resources in This Episode: Visit Linda’s website (http://www.myexecutivecareercoach.com/) to take a career transition assessment. T

You’ve found a great job opportunity and you’re excited about the possibilities. It seems like the perfect fit for you. But is sharing your enthusiasm with the hiring manager enough to get you hired? Not always. Sometimes, the fit may be perfect for you but not for the company. How can you approach your job search keeping the company's needs in mind? Find Your Dream Job guest Susanne Aronowitz says you need to show the employer the value you can bring to the position. The more you can connect with the employer, the more likely they will be to see you as the right person for the job. About Our Guest: Susanne Aronowitz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannearonowitz/) is certified career coach. She’s helped thousands of lawyers and other professionals achieve career success. A former attorney herself, Susanne helps her clients with career exploration, transition, and growth. Resources in This Episode: For more information on how Susanne can help you achieve your professional goals, visit her website at susan

You know that you need to ask for help when looking for a job. But what do you do when the people you reach out to don’t respond? How can you get people to vouch for your credentials and become your job search champions? Find Your Dream Job guest Lora Poepping says you need to make it as easy as possible for others to help you by having a clear and articulate message about what you’re looking for. It’s also important to show appreciation for the new connections that come from your career champions. About Our Guest: Lora Poepping (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorapoepping/) is the founder and president of Plum Coaching and Consulting (https://plumseattle.com/). Lora’s company helps clients around the world with job search, career coaching, resumes, and LinkedIn services. Every member of Plum’s 13-person team has been a recruiter and knows how hiring works. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about the services Lora offers in HR consulting and job search coaching, visit her website, Plum Coaching and C