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

In this bonus episode, certified career coach Hallie Crawford reads her contribution to our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere, the complete Mac's List guide to finding work you love.  Hallie urges all job seekers to start their search with some deep personal analysis. This begins by building a "Career Contrast List" to figure out their true career wants. This helps in two ways: People realize there may not be as many barriers to their career path as they initially thought. It helps job seekers become more rational and practical about what they need to do next. Next, she has people construct an ideal model for their career. This means: Exploring career values and enjoyments of job seekers.  Confirming (and sometimes attaining) the qualifications needed for the dream job they are considering.  The goal of these exercises are to complete a comprehensive analysis the job seeker can use to take action in their job search. You can find more useful job search insight in our new book Land Your Dream

This episode is about explicitly about first jobs, but the lessons we share can apply to just about any job, no matter how established you are as professional. The average worker will have 8-11 jobs over the course of their lifetime. Each position can (and should) be a stepping-stone to a bigger, better opportunity in the future. But to make this happen, you need to do more than just show up and collect a paycheck… you need to network! Our guest expert, David Mariano, recommends building relationships within your company, both inside and outside of your immediate job environment. These connections will benefit you immediately with additional understandings of how the piece parts of your organization work together; they will also prove beneficial to your future endeavors. Getting to know people in various positions is a tried and true networking technique. Today’s middle manager could be tomorrow’s VP. If you consistently treat people the way you want to be treated, you will gain influence. Also, asking for

Successful job searches require time and effort. Spending time customizing job applications, targeting a job search, and a goal-oriented personal brand, will help job seekers find success more quickly, says career advice expert, Amanda Augustine. She advises job seekers to pick one goal for their job search, and then make sure all materials they create reflect that goal. In today’s world, a professional resume is not enough. Job seekers also need to have an online presence that tells a consistent story. 90% of employers research job applicants online before deciding to interview them. This means social media accounts should have the proper privacy settings and your LinkedIn profile should closely match your job search goal. You are selling the most important thing you will ever sell in your life, which is your experience and your talents. Even if you are considering a short-term job to pay the bills, look for the jobs that make the most sense for your long-term goals. If you are overqualified or underqualif

In this bonus episode, the Mac’s List team reacts to a recent New York Times opinion piece, Quit Social Media. Your Career May Depend on It, written by Cal Newport. Mr. Newport, who acknowledges that he's never had a social media account, argues that tools like Facebook and LinkedIn can hurt your career. He bases his argument on three general ideas. Interesting opportunities and useful connections are not scarce. Therefore, social media is not needed to find them. Social media is not harmless--it takes time and energy away from other things you should be doing  Social media is a passive approach to professional advancement Mac, Ben, and Jenna, respond to each of these points and try to find some practical guidelines for optimizing your use of social media.  If you found this analysis interesting, share your thoughts with the Mac’s List team on our Facebook page. Then, sign up to get the first chapter of Land Your Dream Job Anywhere for free and early bird access to the entire book on its launch date,

Contrary to popular belief, women don’t need to be coders or programmers, to get a great job in the tech industry, says guest expert, Allison Esposito. The tech industry is full of sales, marketing, and engineering positions that need to be filled. Even if a woman has never worked in the tech industry, she has transferable skills that apply to tech jobs. Breaking into the tech field can be difficult because big tech companies have so many competitive applicants. It can be hard for a person to stand out, especially if they don’t have any experience in the tech field. Allison suggests women apply to smaller startups, to gain experience and to build their resumes. The gender gap in the tech world is quite large. It can be seen in small startups, all the way up to big companies. Big companies report a ‘Pipeline Problem,’ which means they don’t believe women are out in the job market, or that their skill level is not up to par with the men applying for the same positions. Allison doesn’t believe it’s a pipeline

When you are looking for your dream job everyone always says, “You need to go to a networking event!” This is great advice. But it's not enough simply to show up at an event and hang out at the hors d'oeuvres table. To make the most of a networking event—and really kickstart your job search—you've got to use this opportunities to meet and connect with fellow professionals.  It can be difficult to make these connections, especially in a crowded room where it can seem like everyone already knows each other. One tool that can help you break the ice and quickly connect with others is a killer elevator pitch. If you don’t have an elevator pitch—or even know what one is—then this podcast is for you! A focused elevator pitch is essential for a job seeker who wants to leave the best impression of themselves in the shortest amount of time, says this week's guest expert, Jeff Kleid. Jeff argues that a good elevator pitch gives you have the best shot at positioning yourself for a job. The basic elements of good el

Mac Prichard, Founder of Mac’s List and co-host of Find Your Dream Job Podcast was a featured guest expert on Episode #91 of the Finance Career Launch podcast, How to Use Informational Interviews and Networking to Find the Best Jobs Because They Aren’t Posted Anywhere with Dave Mariano. In this podcast, you learn from real finance professionals and other Subject Matter Experts as they discuss Do’s, Don’ts and everything you need to get ahead. Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a clear vision of where you want to go with your career? If not, you may be wasting precious time, as tasks related to job searches can become overwhelming. Today’s guest expert, Anna Runyan, says there are three main obstacles for job seekers searching for their dream job. They are: Time: Consider what job searching tasks can be batched to save time. Plan out priorities on a calendar. Put extra effort into networking. Fear: Job seekers may fear of applying for jobs they don’t think they are qualified for. Job seekers should surround themselves with supportive network groups such as Facebook, Masterminds, and industry forums. Job Seekers need to get over the fear of networking with people they don’t know. Direction: Figure out your ideal career fit. i. Look at your previous career experiences. ii. Make a list of things you love doing, and things you do not want to do. Determine your ideal work day, and then map it out. Pro Tip — Informational interviews with people alre

Have you sent out 50 resumes, only to get 50 emails from automated system replies? If so, your resume might not have what it takes to get the attention of the hiring manager. Pete Mockaitis says the main reason resumes are ignored is because job seekers don’t put in the proper time, effort, or consideration into these vital documents. Often, people send out the same resume for each job opportunity. To truly enhance your resume, Pete says you need to spend the necessary time to hone your story message, to match exactly what a potential employer is looking for. Helpful guidelines to follow when overhauling your resume: Move away from listing previous responsibilities and showcase your achievements. Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages. Bullet points should share results first and then relay how the result was obtained. If you’ve got it flaunt it, a resume is no place to be shy. Remove the objective. A two-page resume is acceptable if you are seeking an executive position. A resume s

What is your light-up, crazy, talk about it for hours passion? Does your dream job consist of you getting paid to do it every day? If so, Mac’s List Community Manager, Jenna Forstrom shares three very important questions to help you figure out what your passions are in the new Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. A book that allows you to get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs that never get posted, ace your next job interview, negotiate the salary and benefits you’ve earned and take charge of your career now and into the future. Jenna is passionate about her job. She is fascinated by how technology changes consumer behavior and how social media can be used as a storytelling tool. These things may not compare to drinking craft beer, serving the homeless or her dog, Bullet but the reality is Jenna gets to help people find their dream job using the technology and social media she is passionate about. If you enjoyed this excerpt from Land Your Dream Job Anywhere, sign up to get the first chapter for free

Did you just spill your coffee all down the front of your shirt? Or, did you forget to turn the ringer off your phone before the interview started? Today’s guest expert, Dan Miller says the good thing about interview fails is that they are easily remedied. The number one thing Dan sees in interviewees, which hurt their chances at a position, is a lack of enthusiasm and energy. He says job seekers who want to show their enthusiasm should: Walk briskly Sit up straight Speak from their diaphragm Convey a lot of energy These actions show the interviewer that you have something to offer, and as an employee, you are someone who will do more than expected. If you are an introvert, you don’t need to change who you are naturally, but show a lot of energy during a job interview. Dan says job seekers should be prepared with a two-minute answer to the 20 most common interview questions. Interviewers want to know how a job candidate will handle a conflict or how they go about solving a problem. So, candidates sho

After you have fully processed what happened, your next step is to look at your budget to find your unnecessary expenses. Pull out large recurring expenses that may provide you enjoyment, but aren’t providing any tangible benefits. A cable bill is a good example of this. Every dollar you have saved becomes important if you are unsure of how long you will be without work. Other expenses which should be cut are things you can make at home for a lesser cost, such as coffees and meals. Your financial accounts should be used in the following order: Checking — Use this fluid money first. Savings — Banks pay little to no interest in these accounts. Stocks — Sell off stocks if they are outside of a retirement account. 401K/IRA — Use this option only as a last resort. Do you have student loans? Eric says no matter which type of student loan you have, federal or private, you should notify the lending institution that holds your loan. Many times, during hardships these institutions offer deferments, which lower

Do you have what it takes to turn your entrepreneurial spirit into a small business? If you can answer yes to just one of three questions you are probably ready to go out on your own. It doesn’t matter if you come from a family of entrepreneurs or if you have been a full-time employee for your entire career. If you know how to run successful projects and want to make every day meaningful and leave the office with a deep level of satisfaction. You may be ready to branch out and start your own business. Mac Prichard of Prichard Communications and Mac’s List shares his personal story and the resources he used to develop and grow two successful businesses. He had never thought of himself as a small business owner before launching Prichard communications but he was confident about his skill set and the work sounded exciting. Learn how Mac landed his dream job and more with the latest book from Mac's List, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere, available February 1, 2017.  Sign up for our email list to be the first to know

Most people leave a job interview and are no closer to knowing if they will be offered the position than when they sent in their resume. Even if they feel the interview went well they realize they forgot to ask about the company or the next steps in the job process. Waiting for the company to call with feedback can be agonizing. Mac’s List listeners can avoid uncertainty by following the steps provided in this episode. So, what do you say when a hiring manager asks if you have any questions? Guest expert, J.T. O’Donnell says to ask open-ended questions and to use the job interview to find out as much about the company as possible. If you don’t, you are missing out on an important opportunity to get to know the company better. This can help you to know you are making the right choice if a job offer appears. The employer is expecting you to ask questions about how you can serve them and how you can earn the money they would be paying you. If your first questions are about you, it can come across selfish and

Are you a person who is thinking about the question you are going to ask more than you are thinking about the person who will be answering the question? Have you considered how your question or problem sounds to the other person? Guest expert Julie Broad says “People often think about themselves when they are communicating, when they should be carefully considering what matters to the other person.” Considering what perspective the question should be framed in so it matters to the other person, can make it a very different conversation AND increase your credibility. Job seekers should know that their vocal pace, vocal tone and body language, can erode their credibility when communicating. Julie encourages job seekers to not worry so much about what they say and to focus on how they are saying it. Making a confident statement can elevate your message. If you are not sure how you are communicating, try recording your side of a business conversation, or ask a trusted colleague to critique you during a networki

With engagement season fast approaching, the Mac's List team (Publisher, Mac Prichard; Managing Director, Ben Forstag; and Community Manager, Jenna Forstrom) sat down to talk about Bruce Hurwitz's LinkedIn post, "When interviewing for a job, lose the ring!"   This article was published on August 12, 2016, and caused a bit of media frenzy with over 1,403 comments and 1,020 shares.  Hurwitz specifically calls out women who wear large engagement rings as being "high maintenance" and thus hiring managers aren't willing to give them a job offer.  Mac Prichard makes a good point that it's illegal to make hiring decisions based on marital status.  While it's hard to prove that this is happening, chances are, if you are interviewing for a job that has some questionable hiring practices, you wouldn't want to work there anyways.  Ben chimes in that some hiring managers might see a wedding ring on a young woman's hand and assume that they are going to leave the job to raise a family or need time off for maternity leave

Did you know there are jobs shared on Twitter every day? If you know how to look for the jobs you want, Twitter provides you with an opportunity to connect with the person behind the posting. Twitter should be looked at as a real time job search engine and communication channel, says guest expert Chris Russell. The best way to search Twitter for jobs is by using keywords and hashtags (#). In the Twitter search bar, simply enter # plus your career field (e.g. #marketing) and then your location to see all the latest Tweets about jobs in your area. Hashtags help filter your results so you only get the tweets that pertain to your query. Also, if you click on a hashtag, you will see all the other Tweets from those who have used your same keyword. Recruiters are actively posting jobs on Twitter. A job seeker can even find job boards and save past searches to access search results at a later time. Popular hashtags with job seekers and recruiters are: #Job #Jobs #Hiring #Career #JobAlert Twitter gives you

Can your resume engage a human resource manager and make them want to read more? Or, does it just blend in with all other task-oriented resumes they receive? This week’s guest expert Andrea Gerson has seen thousands of resumes, and shares her best practices to help you get the attention of your intended employer. She says, “It can be challenging for people to quantify what they have done, and to brag about their contributions.” Most people are encouraged to be humble and not to boast about their accomplishments, but a job seeker can miss out on a great career opportunity, if they don’t properly quantify their competencies and qualify their contributions on their resume. Use these resume tips to help you get an interview: Use the primary real estate (top third) of your resume to engage your reader. Add quantitative information about your high-level accomplishments that pertain to the job for which you are applying. Include your goals and intentions, and how they may benefit the prospective company. Add

The U.S. presidential election wrapped up last week, but politics remains a charged and potentially divisive issue. This brings up an interesting question for job seekers: how much of your own political beliefs should you share online and with prospective employers? How much politics is too much politics? This is part of a larger conversation about balancing your values against how those values impact your job search. It's important to be yourself so that you can find the right organizational culture fit. At the same time, you need to know that nearly any political posture may limit your job search options. Tips from the Mac's List Team: Remove any inflammatory political statements from social media. Know your Facebook privacy settings.  (Need some help with this? Check out our free course, How to Wow and Woo Employers Online.) Practice restraint. "Don't be the crazy uncle at Thanksgiving Dinner." Don't write anything that you wouldn't want to be seen as a headline on a major newspaper. If you like t

In the past, hiring managers using a telephone to solicit feedback from job references yielded a low, 50% return rate. Today, online reference tools and surveys boast a reference return rate of 85-90%! For job seekers, this makes furnishing quality referrals to potential employers a necessity. “Feedback is accumulated by various ways,” says guest expert, Ray Bixler. Metrics evaluated by employers include the number of references a job seeker offers, how long it takes an applicant to enter the reference names and what feedback the references supply. Job seekers can improve their results by being prepared with complete information about their references and entering the information as soon as the prospective employer sends the email. Tips for Job Seekers: Meet with your references to ask their permission to use their name and to let them know what is expected of them. Have your references ready in advance, as the reference process is moving ahead in the hiring process; sometimes references are requested be