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

Your work environment affects more than the hours you spend at work; it affects your personal life, as well. That’s why it’s so important to find a place of employment where you feel seen, heard, and appreciated. How can you be sure the company you’re interviewing with provides that type of workplace? Find Your Dream Job guest Ana Goehner says you begin by speaking with current and former employees. Ana also suggests defining terms such as flexibility and exploring how the employer recognizes achievement. Do as much research as possible, and ask specific questions of the hiring manager that relate to what matters most to you. About Our Guest: Ana Goehner (http://linkedin.com/in/anagoehner) is a career strategist and a certified human resources specialist. Resources in This Episode: Is your career in a healthy place? Find out now by taking Ana’s Career Well-Being Quiz at www.anagoehner.com/. (www.anagoehner.com) Check out Ana’s book, 'The Ultimate Interview Guidebook.'(http://www.anagoehner.com/book) Fro

Sending out dozens of applications per day and hoping for the best is not the way to find a job you love. You need a successful plan, one that contains action, accountability, and accessibility. Find Your Dream Job guest Steph Cartwright suggests starting by targeting employers and using LinkedIn to network with employees at those companies. A job search plan need not take up hours a week either; Steph says 20-30 minutes a few times a week is enough to put a strategy into place. Build new habits into your week instead of putting so much pressure on yourself to find the perfect job as quickly as possible.  About Our Guest: Steph Cartwright (http://linkedin.com/in/stephcartwrightcprw)is the certified resume writer and job search strategist behind Off The Clock Resumes (https://www.offtheclockresumes.com/). Resources in This Episode: Are you ready to get unstuck and find the job of your dreams? Steph has multiple ways to help you; find out more by visiting her website at www.offtheclockresumes.com/. From ou

It happens; you’re thrilled to receive a job offer, and then suddenly, the offer is rescinded with no explanation as to why. Now what? Now is the time to take the lessons from your job search experience and move forward with the same energy you began it, says Find Your Dream Job guest Octavia Goredema. What starts as a moment of distress can become a moment of clarity if you allow it. Go back to the drawing board; know that if you got this job offer, you will get another; use this experience to go after what you want with even more clarity and confidence. About Our Guest: Octavia Goredema (http://linkedin.com/in/octaviagoredema) is the host of the Audible Original series How to Change Careers and the author of Prep, Push, Pivot. (https://www.amazon.com/Prep-Push-Pivot-Strategies-Underrepresented/dp/1119789079) Resources in This Episode: To learn more about Octavia’s book and to receive her weekly career newsletter, visit her website at www.octaviagoredema.com/. From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is br

If you’re counting on a generic resume to get your next job, you may be in for a rude awakening. In this digital world, you’re going to need to level up if you want to get past the applicant tracking systems and be invited to interview. Where do you begin? Find Your Dream Job guest Enrique Ruiz says the most important step is your LinkedIn page. Build it out fully. Next, prepare two resumes; one for the ATS and a second, more specialized one for each position you’re applying to. Finally, represent yourself well. Show up on time, be pleasant and engaging, and express your desire to work hard and be a team player.  About Our Guest: Enrique Ruiz (http://linkedin.com/in/enrique-ruiz-cdsp) is a former senior talent acquisition manager at Thesis, a digital agency in Portland, Oregon, and will soon launch his own recruiting agency.  Resources in This Episode: If you’re interested in a job in the creative space, Enrique invites you to reach out to him on LinkedIn. Find him at www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-ruiz-cdsp/

It’s easy to follow an opportunistic path with your career, taking what gets handed to you and making the best of it. But your career becomes more rewarding when you become more intentional. Getting clarity on how you need your job to align with your life is the most important first step, says Find Your Dream Job guest Jeff Perry. Jeff suggests focusing on what you want in a job rather than what you want to get away from. Jeff reminds us that we each have the ability to make choices. Don’t be at the mercy of others when it comes to your career; be intentional with what works for your life and needs. About Our Guest: Jeff Perry (http://linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry) is a leadership and career expert who works with individuals, teams, and organizations. Jeff also hosts The Engineering Career Coach Podcast. (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-engineering-career-coach-podcast/id724048690) Resources in This Episode: Grab your copy of Jeff’s book, “The Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life a

Does the word “networking” strike fear in your heart? Are you hesitant to reach out to others for coffee or conversation? That fear is natural, says Find Your Dream Job guest Gene Rhee. But it helps when you realize we all network every day. When you talk with a coworker or a friend, you’re networking. The key to successful networking, according to Gene, is to have something to offer in conversation, so be clear on your values, skills, and interests, so that when asked, you can share specifics. And be ready to ask questions of the other person so that they feel valued and open to share.  About Our Guest: Gene Rhee (http://linkedin.com/in/generhee) is the executive director of Mohr Career Services at the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon (https://business.uoregon.edu/). Resources in This Episode: To learn more about Gene and his work at the University of Oregon, connect with him on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/generhee/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to

If you aren’t using LinkedIn to find your next job, you are missing out on a  powerful tool. But you have to use it well. Find Your Dream Job guest Nick Poloni says it all starts with a story-driven profile. It’s not enough to have a list of previous positions; you have to provide content and context. Recruiters want to know who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re looking for. Nick suggests having a specific focus for your profile, using keywords and titles that are common to the field you are in or want to enter.  About Our Guest: Nick Poloni (http://linkedin.com/in/nickpoloni) is the head of recruitment at Cascadia Search Group and works in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Resources in This Episode: Whether you’re a company looking for qualified candidates or a job seeker, Nick can help you. Find out more at cascadiasearch.com/ (https://cascadiasearch.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped

Job seekers oftentimes are hesitant to share their strengths for fear of bragging, and we sometimes focus more on our weaknesses than what we’re naturally good at. But you need to show a potential employer how your strengths will benefit their company, says Find Your Dream Job guest Kristie Steele. Kristie says the best way to do that is by sharing stories of how those strengths have helped you in previous jobs. Asking friends, family, and coworkers what they see as your strengths is another way to get clarity on what you have to offer in a new position. About Our Guest: Kristie Steele (http://linkedin.com/in/kristiemsteele702)is a senior human resources manager at Forth. It’s a nonprofit working to electrify transportation. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Kristie on LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/kristiemsteele702) to learn more about the work she is doing at Forth and how you can maximize your strengths in your job search.  From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.

Do you feel like a failure as a job seeker? Perhaps you’ve been rejected more times than you ever thought possible, or you can’t seem to get an interview, no matter how qualified you are. The key to dealing with failure in a job search all comes down to mindset, says Find Your Dream Job guest Harsha Boralessa. Harsha suggests that resilience is the most important quality to have as a job seeker. Persistence, along with a specific job search strategy, will pay off in the long term. Harsha also shares the importance of doing at least one thing every day to further your career goals.  About Our Guest: Harsha Boralessa (http://linkedin.com/in/harsha-boralessa-cfa-aca-fct-62aa199)is the founder and the host of the Reframe and Reset Your Career podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reframe-reset-your-career/id1548686014). Resources in This Episode: If your career needs a reset, be sure to tune in to Harsha’s podcast and YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ReframeResetYourCareer Find out more b

It’s not enough in today’s job market to have the experience required for an open position. You have to stand out from the crowd of applicants to even secure an interview. Using your leverage is the best way to stand head and shoulders above others, says Find Your Dream Job guest Ashton McMillan. Leverage could be past work experience, education, or specific results from a previous job or campaign that show your success in the field. The more you know the value you have to offer an employer, the more confidently you will approach an interview, so do your homework and discover what results you have achieved that the potential employer needs in a new hire.  About Our Guest: Ashton McMillan (http://linkedin.com/in/ashton-mcmillan) is a recruiter with experience in leadership and financial analysis who specializes in software engineering and technical positions. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Ashton at www.linkedin.com/in/ashton-mcmillan/ to learn more about his work in talent and recruiting.  From

Are your Sunday evenings filled with dread over having to go back to another work week because of a toxic or upsetting work environment? If so, it’s time to make a decision on whether to stay or leave. Find Your Dream Job guest Becky Farone is here to share how to know when it’s the right time to leave and when you should try to hang on. Becky says you need to go back to your core values, analyze whether there are any areas that you can control, and check your confidence so that you don’t make a fear-based choice. Your career is your own, so trust yourself to make the right decision.  About Our Guest: Becky Farone (https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckykaplanfarone/) is a credentialed career coach and the founder of Fireworks Coaching (https://www.fireworkscoaching.com/). Becky helps professional women over 40 decide to stay or leave distressing work. Resources in This Episode: Are you stuck in an upsetting work situation and ready to feel energized and peaceful in a job? Let Becky help you; visit her website a

Walking into an interview can be nerve-wracking, to say the least. Will you have all the answers they’re looking for? Will it be a good fit? You can’t prepare for the unknown, but what you can do, says Find Your Dream Job guest Karla Rockhold, is prepare for what you do know. Karla recommends preparing a 30 to 90-second elevator pitch to answer the “tell me about yourself” query that usually opens the interview. Do your homework to prepare for the middle part of the interview, and end strong with your own set of questions for the interviewer.  About Our Guest: Karla Rockhold (http://linkedin.com/in/karla-rockhold) is the director of alumni career engagement at Oregon State University (https://oregonstate.edu/). Her office connects graduates with the campus community and its career services. Resources in This Episode: As an undergrad or graduate student, information is your best ally. Connect with Karla on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-rockhold/) to soak up all the career development advice an

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