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

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes that includes long-term absences from the workforce but a long-term absence doesn’t have to hold you back. How do you explain an absence to a hiring manager? You start by addressing the issue upfront, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Sonal Bahl. Don’t leave the question open for the hiring manager to try to figure out. Sonal also shares how to present your experiences during your absence as building your skillset, and how to confidently lead the interview conversation. About Our Guest: Sonal Bahl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalbahl/) is a career strategist and founder of Supercharge (https://www.superchargeyourself.com/). It’s a career advisory firm with clients across the globe. She’s also the host of the How I Got Hired podcast. (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-got-hired/id1536817985) Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready for personalized help in your job search, learn more about working with Sonal on her website at www.superchargeyourself.co

As a job seeker, you have hundreds of podcasts, career coaches, and websites where you can find advice on how to find your next position. Lack of advice isn’t an issue. But what if the advice you get isn’t good? How can you tell which advice you should follow and which you should ignore? Find Your Dream Job guest Kamara Toffolo says you need to look for people who have experience in hiring. She also advises tossing out anything that suggests ways to “beat the system.” Focus on your resume and networking, and you will find the job that’s right for you. About Our Guest: Kamara Toffolo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamarat/) is a resume writer, LinkedIn consultant, and job search strategist. Resources in This Episode: Kamara has offered a free cover letter guide to our listeners. To download your copy, visit her website at kamaratoffolo.com.(https://kamaratoffolo.com/) Be sure to check out Kamara’s YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/kamaratoffolocareers.(http://youtube.com/kamaratoffolocareers) From our S

We often talk about the difficulties of finding your next job, but what if you get an offer fairly quickly that just isn’t a good fit? There is no rule that says you have to accept the first offer you receive. It’s crucial that you do your research into whether the company aligns with your personal values and desired outcomes. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Kelly Anderson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyandersonpdx/) shares why she turned down job offers and how the job market has changed in the 15 years since her last job search. Learn more about Kelly’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

If you’ve been laid off or need to find a job quickly, you might feel tempted to send your resume or application materials to every open position you discover. But Find Your Dream Job guest Serena Chan says that’s not a good plan. Hiring managers and recruiters need to know you have the specific skills necessary for the position you’re applying for. Serena also says it’s important to do your own research to be sure that the company you’re applying to is a place you truly want to work, based on their vision and company culture. About Our Guest: Serena Chan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-chan-79881114/) is a recruiter with Cambia Health Solutions. It’s a nonprofit health care company. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about the job opportunities at Cambia, visit their website at cambiahealth.com/careers. (http://www.cambiahealth.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 lan

As a job seeker, it’s your responsibility to know what skills and abilities you have that set you apart from other applicants. Figuring out what makes you unique isn’t difficult, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Kay Kirkman. It begins with making a list of what you’re great at, whether through job or life experience. What is something only you can do? Once you know what you have to offer, Kay suggests using job boards to get an idea of the possibilities, and to decide what jobs you might enjoy and which companies to pursue.  About Our Guest: Kay Kirkman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaykirkman/) is a career coach, speaker, and host of The GenX Career Show (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-genx-career-show/id1530650736). She helps professionals at midlife find their career passion, even if they think they’re too old or it’s too late. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about Kay’s 6-week coaching program, visit her website at yourgenxcareer.com. (https://joyfuldreamlife.com/) From our S

A personal brand is more important than ever in today’s job market, and if you hope to switch careers, your personal brand will be a crucial piece of the puzzle. Executing a career pivot is not as scary as it might seem, and something you may actually do more than once. The good news, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Erica Mattison, is that you don’t need to be a professional marketer to market yourself. Erica gives advice on how to build a work sample portfolio that tells your story and how to become a thought leader in your chosen field. About Our Guest: Erica Mattison (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamattison/) is a certified career coach who specializes in helping mission-driven individuals craft fulfilling careers and lives. Resources in This Episode: If you need help clarifying your goals and building your confidence, visit Erica’s website at ericamattison.com. (https://www.ericamattison.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresu

It’s not unusual to want to make a positive impact in the world, even in your career, but most people think that working in a nonprofit is the only way to do so. Find Your Dream Job guest Erin Ewart says that’s not true. You can find a social impact job in government, philanthropy, and even in the corporate world. To get started, Erin suggests first deciding what type of impact you want to make and why. Once you’re clear on your values and direction, map out the companies and roles you’re interested in, and use your network to get your name in front of the right people.  About Our Guest: Erin Ewart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinewart/) is a career coach and the founder of Careers for Social Impact. It’s an organization that helps mission-driven professionals grow in their careers and land jobs they love. Resources in This Episode: If it’s time for you to invest in personal job search help, visit Erin’s website at careersforimpact.com.(https://careersforimpact.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Jo

Do you struggle to make tough career decisions or ask for the salary you deserve in a job interview? Maybe you’re telling yourself stories that aren’t true. If you’re stuck in negative thought patterns, Find Your Dream Job guest Dr. Tega Edwin is here to share how to turn those limiting beliefs into liberating beliefs by figuring out where they come from and reframing them into positive stories about yourself.  About Our Guest: Tega Edwin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tegaedwin/) is a career counselor and coach who helps women who are unhappy at work get clarity so they can find a fulfilling career.  Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready for more help finding the career that’s right for you, check out Tega’s coaching options on her website at hercareerdoctor.com. (https://hercareerdoctor.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 f

Layoffs are discouraging in the best of times, but when you lose your job during a global pandemic, finding a new one can be nearly overwhelming. How do you find the perfect position when many companies aren’t hiring? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Blair Denniberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-denniberg-140315114/) shares how she chose which jobs to apply for and why she applied at places that weren’t currently hiring. We also discuss customizing your resume for each application and how to work with less-than-stellar technology when doing virtual interviews. Learn more about Blair’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

One of the most important things you can do as a job seeker is to stand out from the crowd, and Find Your Dream Job guest Kyle Elliott has a specific way to do just that. Do you know what makes you fabulous? Kyle shares how to use your childhood interests and positive feedback from friends and family to figure out what makes you unique. He also tells us why showing up as your authentic self is crucial in an interview, and how to assess the level of risk you’re willing to take in order to experience more great and rewarding moments in life.  About Our Guest: Kyle Elliott (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylecromerelliott/)is the career coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com (https://caffeinatedkyle.com/). Kyle’s clients have landed jobs at Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and nearly every other Fortune 500 company you can think of. Resources in This Episode: Find out more about Kyle and his career services by visiting caffeinatedkyle.com. (https://caffeinatedkyle.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your D

If you feel bored or discontent at work, maybe it’s time to seek a new position- in your current company. Find Your Dream Job guest Tristan Layfield says internal job-seeking can be a great way to get that promotion or gain the skills you need to further your career. Tristan suggests you begin with setting goals for performance and tracking your success, then sharing those successes with your managers during performance reviews. It’s also crucial to build relationships with others in your company that you can learn from and who will support you. About Our Guest: Tristan Layfield (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/) is a career coach and resume writer. His articles have appeared in Business Insider, Black Enterprise, and The Muse. Resources in This Episode: Tristan shares more tips on career development on his podcast, Tap in With Tristan. (https://www.living-corporate.com/tag/tristan/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume

If you send in the same generic resume to every position you apply for, you’re likely to be passed over more often than not. What can you do to make your resume unforgettable? Find Your Dream Job guest Derek Murphy-Johnson has several suggestions, beginning with using the keywords and specific language of the job description. Derek also explains how to match your experience with the job you want, the best tricks to avoid typos, and why keeping your resume simple is the best way to stand out from the crowd.  About our Guest: Derek Murphy Johnson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrderek/) is in charge of talent attraction at KinderCare Education (https://www.kc-education.com/). It’s the largest childcare provider in the United States. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Derek on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrderek/) for more information on the work he does. 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 p

Do you pay close attention to the actual words you use in an interview? We all say, “um” sometimes, but does it really matter? If you feel nervous when meeting with a hiring manager, you might use fillers, disclaimers, or hedge words. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Tracy Hooper, those extra words are making you appear less than confident. If you’re ready to lose the words that sabotage your confidence, Tracy suggests recording yourself, working on losing one hedge word per month, and practicing using positive language.  About Our Guest: Tracy Hooper (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyhooper/) is a former TV news anchor, a professional speaker, and the founder of The Confidence Project. (https://www.confidenceproject.com/) Resources in This Episode: If you want to learn the skills necessary to be successful in today’s job economy, get Tracy’s new book, "The New Hello: What to Say What to Do in the New World of Work.”  (https://www.confidenceproject.com/book) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is

A job search can be grueling and the discouragement of not finding a job quickly is a common factor for many job seekers. One way to find a job you might love is to take a chance on a field you hadn’t considered before. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Miranda Whitters (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwhitters/) shares how she used her psychology degree to pursue a career in recruiting and how her network helped to get her foot in the door. We also discuss why one-click applications are a waste of time, and how field-specific certifications can provide you with more exposure to the jobs you want. Learn more about Miranda’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

Are you considering going back to school before pursuing your dream job? What if you could get that position without paying thousands of dollars for more education? Find Your Dream Job guest Ken Coleman says it’s entirely possible, and he offers two questions to ask yourself before signing up for student loans. Ken also shares networking tips, how to pursue alternative education, and the importance of following your gut.  About Our Guest: Ken Coleman  (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kencoleman-/) is the nationally syndicated radio host of The Ken Coleman Show and the author of The Proximity Principle. Resources in This Episode: If you need help figuring out the next step in your career or job search, visit Ken’s website at kencoleman.com. (https://www.kencoleman.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume. (http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume (http://macslist.org/topresume)has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free re

If the statistics are true, recruiters and hiring managers spend less than 5 minutes looking at each resume they receive; even less if it doesn’t grab their attention immediately. In order to get past the first round of screening, Find Your Dream Job guest Agnes Zach says you need to use the language of the job description in your cover letter and resume. In addition, she suggests preparing specific, 3-5 minute answers to the most commonly asked interview questions. Agnes also shares the most common reasons you aren’t making it to the final round of interviews. About Our Guest: Agnes Zach (https://www.linkedin.com/in/agneszach/)is the CEO at Nonprofit Professionals Now. Her organization offers executive search, temporary staffing, and talent evaluation services. Resources in This Episode: If you’re a professional or job seeker in the nonprofit sector, Agnes offers services to help you. Find out more at her website at npprofessionals.com. (https://npprofessionals.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Jo

There are many elements involved in landing your dream job; networking, a professional resume, and solid skills are just a few of the things required. But even with all that, it can be incredibly difficult. What if there was a silver bullet to fast-track your job search? Find Your Dream Job guest Jason Alba says informational interviews are the answer. Jason adds that informational interviews are an incredibly effective job search tool that most people aren’t taking advantage of, and he shares how to get the most out of your own.  About Our Guest: Jason Alba (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonalba/) is the founder and creator of JibberJobber (https://www.jibberjobber.com/login.php), the six-week job search program. Jason is also a soft skills and career expert for Pluralsight. Resources in This Episode: For help organizing and tracking your job search, visit JibberJobber.com. (https://www.jibberjobber.com/login.php) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume (http://macslist.org/

If you’ve ever been ghosted after what you thought was a great interview, you may feel confused about what went wrong. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’ve put your all into the interview only to be rejected. But Find Your Dream Job guest Shelley Piedmont says there are ways to be better prepared next time. First, focus more on the value you bring than strictly on your qualifications. Second, be a clear communicator. And finally, remember that sometimes, not being selected gives you a better chance at job fulfillment and happiness.  About Our Guest: Shelley Piedmont (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleypiedmont/) is a former recruiter and human resource director. She’s also the founder of ShelleyPiedmont.Com (https://www.shelleypiedmont.com/) Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to find a job you love, Shelley can help. Learn more by visiting her website at shelleypiedmont.com. (https://www.shelleypiedmont.com/) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslis

Have you ever heard that to find the job of your dreams, you should follow your passions? But not all passions lend themselves to a career, and not everyone has passions to follow. Instead of trying to figure out your passion so that you can be happy at work, Find Your Dream Job guest Grace Lee says it’s a better idea to pursue meaningful purpose. Stop hoping to find your perfect career; take charge of your future by digging deep into what drives you and creating your own opportunities. About Our Guest: Dr. Grace Lee (https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorlee/) is the host of the Career Revisionist Podcast (https://careerrevisionist.com/) and founder of Mastery Insights (https://www.masteryinsights.com/), a coaching and education company. She is on a mission to unleash the extraordinary in the world through insightful career development, integrating neuroscience and business development principles. Resources in This Episode: For more insights into building your career, listen to Grace’s podcast: https://care

Some fields are naturally more difficult to get into, and require more than a professional resume or great cover letter. There are jobs that can’t be won without experience in the field. But how can you get that experience before you get the job you want? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Hannah Fattor shares how she used volunteer work to hone the skills she needed for the position she wanted. Hannah and I also discuss how working at a nonprofit gave her the opportunity to begin getting the experience she needed to build her portfolio. Learn more about Hannah’’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