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

Why should you work with a recruiter instead of going the traditional job-hunting route? Find Your Dream Job guest Brad Near says a great recruiter can help you find a job quicker, and with more of what you’re looking for than you can on your own. Brad explains the broad connections that recruiters typically have, which can lead to many more open positions than you could ever know about. You can be more honest with a recruiter than you might be with a hiring manager; a recruiter will have your best interests in mind and will take the time to learn about any negative past experiences. Brad suggests trying a recruiter and seeing what they can do for you. About Our Guest: Brad Near (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bnear/) is the CEO of Rainier Recruiting (https://www.rainierrecruiting.com/). It’s a boutique agency that represents hundreds of openings across North America. Resources in This Episode: Got some lofty professional goals? Let Brad and his team help you reach them. Find out more at rainierrecruiting.com

In the world of job seekers, strategy might seem like the last thing you need. After all, you’ll do just about anything to get your next job, right? But a dialed-in strategy is exactly what you need, says Find Your Dream Job guest Amy Santee. Without it, you’re flailing, not knowing what you want or where to find it. Your job search strategy starts with getting clarity on your priorities, financial needs, geographic preferences, and your long-term goals. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can develop a specific strategy on how to get it. About Our Guest: Amy Santee (http://linkedin.com/in/amysantee)is a career strategist and a coach for user experience professionals. Resources in This Episode: If you need actionable steps to take your career to the next level, find out how Amy can help you by visiting her website at amysantee.com (https://www.amysantee.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

If you walk into an interview planning to share “just the facts,” you’ll be quickly forgotten. Stories are what grab our attention and stick in our memory. How do you share stories with a potential employer? Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Bachman says it takes research and practice to share your story in a way that gets their attention but isn’t rambling on for too long. Elizabeth also talks about the need to leave behind the mindset that “nice people don’t brag” and get comfortable talking about the things you do best.  About Our Guest: Elizabeth Bachman (http://linkedin.com/in/elizabethbachman) is the go-to person for advanced training in speaking, presentation skills, and leadership. Elizabeth also hosts the “Speakers Who Get Results” podcast. Resources in This Episode: For more information on how to join the next cohort of Elizabeth’s “Visible and Valued Leadership Certification Program” for executive women, check out her website at visible-valued.com (https://elizabethbachman.com/visible-valued-c

If you need to update your resume quickly, you need to know which factors make the biggest impact. How much education should you list? And how many pages should it be? Find Your Dream Job guest Ashley Faison is here to answer all these questions and more. Ashley has a seven-step process for revamping your resume in a hurry, including why you should read your resume backward, which skills to highlight, and how much personal information to share. Ashley also explains why you need a customized resume for each job you’re applying to and how that gets you to the top of the pile.  About Our Guest: Ashley Faison (http://linkedin.com/in/ashleydaniellefaison) is a certified resume writer, a career coach, and the founder of Ashleyfaison.com. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about the professional development program Ashley is launching, visit her website at ashleyfaison.com (https://ashleyfaison.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top R

Have you taken time off to care for children, elderly parents, or your own mental or physical health? If you’re afraid this gap will negatively affect your job search, you needn’t worry, says Find Your Dream Job guest Elena Giorgetti. Elena explains that employers care more about what you did during the gap than the gap itself. If you present the skills you gained and the value the time away added to your career journey, you can be confident that your career gap won’t hurt your chances of scoring that dream position you’re going for! About Our Guest: Elena Giorgetti (http://linkedin.com/in/elenagiorgetticoaching) is a career coach who specializes in transitions, emotional intelligence, and mental health. Resources in This Episode: Want to learn to crack the hidden job market? Find out more at impactcareercoaching.ca (https://impactcareercoaching.ca/) 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 l

You’ve got the offer. You’re ready to start your new job. But before you accept, you must have all the relevant information to make an informed decision. How do you get this information? You ask the right questions, says Find Your Dream Job guest Gaby Rosenada Valdes. These questions should cover the benefits package in its entirety, the type of support you can expect to receive during your first few weeks there, and whether you will have a probationary period. A refusal to answer any of these types of questions may indicate issues you need to investigate further.  About Our Guest: Gaby Rosenada Valdes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-valdes/overlay/contact-info/) is the talent manager at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-columbia-willamette). Resources in This Episode: For more information on how Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette is working in the areas of pay equity and transparency, visit plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-columb

Are you afraid to negotiate salary and benefits because you think the employer may pull the offer? Refusing to negotiate salary is the best way to limit your lifetime earnings, says Find Your Dream Job guest Brandon Bramley. Brandon says employers expect you to negotiate, and some may actually see it as a weakness if you don’t. Negotiation doesn’t have to be stressful; keep the tone friendly and kind, and you will find most employers to be more than willing to have the conversation.  About Our Guest: Brandon Bramley (http://linkedin.com/in/brandonbramley) is the founder of The Salary Negotiator (https://www.thesalarynegotiator.com/). Resources in This Episode: To schedule your FREE consultation with a salary negotiation expert, head over to thesalarynegotiator.com/ (https://www.thesalarynegotiator.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

If you’re sending out hundreds of applications a week, you need to stop immediately. Quantity will never achieve the results that deeply researched, targeted applications will. Find Your Dream Job guest Banji Alo says you also need to contact the hiring manager to get information on the tools required for the position, as well as what will be expected of you. Banji says sending customized resumes makes you stand out from the crowd and have a much better chance of being called for an interview.   About Our Guest: Banji Alo (http://linkedin.com/in/banjialo) is a career coach who helps professionals who work in data analytics. Banji is also the author of Before Graduation Day (https://beforegraduationday.com/) and the founder of the Career Digest Weekly Newsletter (https://careerdigest.substack.com/). Resources in This Episode: Banji has a FREE data careers kit for Find Your Dream Job listeners. Get yours by going to (https://www.subscribepage.com/banjialo_ds) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brough

When job hunting, it’s easy to think more about your skillset and qualifications than whether or not the job suits your needs. Find Your Dream Job guest Ursala Garbrecht is here to share why you need to consider what you find fulfilling and enjoy doing at work before applying. Ursula says gaining clarity on the type of career you want can help you narrow down which jobs to apply to. It’s hard to be productive if your needs aren’t getting met, so take the time to drill down into your values, wants, and needs, and you’ll be happier in whatever position you take.  About Our Guest: Ursala Garbrecht (http://linkedin.com/in/ursalagarbrecht) is the founder of Resume Horse (https://resumehorse.com/). Resources in This Episode: Want to get serious about your job-hunting game? Level up your resume, interview skills, and LinkedIn profile with Ursala’s help. Learn more by visiting her website at resumehorse.com/. (https://resumehorse.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://

We like to think that ageism isn't a thing in our job market, but that’s not true. Age is very much still a part of what employers consider when hiring. How do you continue to move forward in your career, or switch fields, if you’re an older worker? It all starts with self-confidence, says Find Your Dream Job guest Alex Motta. Alex also stresses the importance of keeping up to date on technology. Your experience and skills are needed, but you have to market yourself in a way that shows the value you bring and what you have to offer.  About Our Guest: Alex Motta (http://linkedin.com/in/alemotta)is an employment strategist and a certified resume writer who specializes in Linkedin profile optimization. Alex is also a Linkedin Top Voice for 2023 in Latin America (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-voices-empleo-2023-c%2525C3%2525B3mo-construir-%3FtrackingId=FXFwu5igTKaHfZKKzFLqPA%253D%253D/?trackingId=FXFwu5igTKaHfZKKzFLqPA%3D%3D). Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to level up your LinkedIn profile or

Many people think that salary is the only thing you need to negotiate in the midst of a job offer. But salary alone isn’t a guarantee of success in your career. If you’re a woman or a BIPOC, you need to understand the company’s promotion path, says Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Robillard. Elizabeth suggests creating a list of your must-haves before going into negotiations so that your career scales at a pace that guarantees your future success. And remember, if they say no to one of your requests, that’s the beginning of negotiating, not the end.  About Our Guest: Elizabeth Robillard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekrobi/) is the founder of Negotiating at Work (http://www.negotiatingatwork.com/). Resources in This Episode: Are you unsure how to negotiate your best opportunity and benefits with a new employer? Let Elizabeth help you by visiting her website at negotiatingatwork.com.(http://www.negotiatingatwork.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.

Changing career fields can be tricky; you have to convince a hiring manager that your previous skills can be transferred to their company. How do you do that? You start by getting clear on what those skills are, says Find Your Dream Job guest Mpume Ncube-Daka, and sharing specific examples of how they translate to the new field. Mpume recommends using self-assessments to clarify your strengths and weaknesses. And lastly, be prepared to ask the questions that inform you if the employer can match your values and must-haves.  About Our Guest: Mpume Ncube-Daka (http://linkedin.com/in/mpume-ncube-daka) is a coach, a podcast host, and the founder and CEO of About Change Conversations (https://changeconversations.co.za/). Resources in This Episode: Mpume’s company offers group and individual coaching and assessments. Find out more by visiting changeconversations.co.za/what-we-offer/ (https://changeconversations.co.za/what-we-offer/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://m

Finding a new job isn’t easy, and when we experience fear, it can discourage us from even trying. How can you overcome the common fears of job hunting? You can start by clarifying why you’re seeking a change. Find Your Dream Job guest Soma Ghosh also says you need to know what your ultimate career goals are. Soma suggests taking small steps toward your goals and not allowing the fear to paralyze you. Having a supportive network of friends and colleagues can also help you overcome any fears that hold you back.  About Our Guest: Soma Ghosh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soma-ghosh-26086638/) is a career adviser, a business owner, and the host of The Career Happiness Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-career-happiness-podcast/id1450116167).  Resources in This Episode: Do you know the 4 pillars of creating your dream career? Find out by visiting Soma’s website at (ww.somaghosh.com/.) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume

You’ve got a job offer, and the salary is more than you expected. You can’t wait to accept. Hold on a sec, says Find Your Dream Job guest Crystal Granger. You need to ask for 24-72 hours to think about it. Crystal says every employer expects you to take this time to think through what you need in a full benefits package before accepting their offer. Consider your expenses, taxes, and what this offer means for future growth in your career and earnings. And Crystal suggests that you always ask for more with complete confidence, even if the offer is beyond what you expected.  About Our Guest: Crystal Granger (http://linkedin.com/in/crystalgranger) is the total rewards and equity manager at Bob’s Red Mill. Resources in This Episode: Crystal would love to connect on LinkedIn with our listeners. Find her at (www.linkedin.com/in/crystalgranger/). 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 in

Why should you pay attention to the job market if you aren’t looking for a new job? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Bridget Bimrose (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-bimrose/) shares why she continued to network and look at job boards while happy in her career. Bridget says she wasn’t expecting her dream job to pop up on one of those job boards. But when it did, she was ready to apply. Bridget also explains how she determined her non-negotiables and campaigned for them. Learn more about Bridget’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

You’ve had a bad day at work, and so you go home, jump on the Mac’s List job board, and start sending in as many applications as you can. Why isn’t this a good idea? Because this tactic will never get you the job you actually desire, says Find Your Dream Job guest Brandi Oldham. Instead of firing off a hundred generic resumes, Brandi suggests taking some time to discover what you really want in a job, what you have to offer, and focusing on creating custom resumes for the companies you want to work for.  About Our Guest: Brandi Oldham (http://linkedin.com/in/brandioldham) is the founder of Talent Career Coaching (https://www.talentcareercoaching.com/).  Resources in This Episode: Your unique talents can elevate your career; find out how by visiting Brandi’s website at Talent Career Coaching (https://www.talentcareercoaching.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

As a job seeker, what should you expect in the way of communication from the employer? Find Your Dream Job guest Kevin Grossman says you should expect timely communication, whether you’re a candidate for the position or not. And if your candidate experience is not a positive one, but you are offered the position, should you take it? Kevin says, not so fast; you need to consider whether the company as a whole reflects the lack of communication of the hiring process. About Our Guest: Kevin Grossman (http://linkedin.com/in/kevinwgrossman) is the president of the Talent Board (https://www.thetalentboard.org/).  Resources in This Episode: Find out the impact your candidate experience has on your business growth and success by visiting thetalentboard.org (https://www.thetalentboard.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 r

Fear is a common emotion when you’re in a job search. Fear of the unknown, fear of making a mistake, and fear of not meeting an employer’s expectations. What do you do if you’re frozen in fear? Find Your Dream Job guest Connie Steele says you start by asking where the fear is coming from. Is it legitimate? If so, Connie says, you can begin to address any specifics that are in your control. Connie’s best advice is to use rational thinking and not make things out to be what they aren’t. Stop catastrophizing! About Our Guest: Connie Steele (http://linkedin.com/in/conniewsteele) is a future of work expert, a career strategist, and the author of Building the Business of You. Resources in This Episode: Wanna know how successful you are in your career? Take Connie’s FREE assessment at www.conniewsteele.com/assessment. 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

The most effective resume is one that is targeted for the specific job you want. Your resume should match the skills, experience, and background the company is looking for. How do you create a resume like this? Find Your Dream Job guest Heather McBride says the first step is understanding how to highlight the skill sets the employer is looking for. Heather also stresses that your resume is not the place to be humble; freely share your accomplishments and experience.  About Our Guest: Heather McBride (http://linkedin.com/in/heathermcbride-resume-writer) is a resume writer and a human resources consultant. Resources in This Episode: Ready to crack the Applicant Tracking System code? Get Heather’s FREE keyword worksheet by visiting www.inclarity360.com (http://www.inclarity360.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 res

Statistics show that more jobs are gained through referrals than in any other way. How do you ensure that your network will refer you for positions that would be a good fit for you? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Natalie Roger (https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieroger/) shares how keeping in touch with former colleagues helped her find positions. Natalie is also a big believer in using the LinkedIn community to help find the job that’s right for you. Learn more about Natalie’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