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

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

If you’re like most people, you don’t enjoy talking about your greatest accomplishments. It can feel uncomfortable to “toot your own horn,” even when a hiring manager asks you about your skills and expertise. If you want to stand out in today’s tough job market, Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Gross says you must overcome this reluctance. Elizabeth shares how to emphasize your accomplishments on your resume, as well as the best way to sell yourself on LinkedIn.  About Our Guest: Elizabeth Gross (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethgross/) is the owner of Job Search Divas where she offers a range of career-related services, including resume writing, career coaching, job search strategies, networking skills, and interview preparation. Resources in This Episode: To find out more about Elizabeth and the services she offers, visit her website at www.jobsearchdivas.com.  Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview

What do you say when a hiring manager asks you why you’re looking for a new job? If this question makes you feel defensive, Find Your Dream Job guest Susan Peppercorn says you need to find a way to put a positive spin on your answer, even if the truth is that you were fired or laid off. Hiring managers understand difficult situations, so don’t be afraid to be honest, while not spewing negativity toward a former employer. Susan advises focusing on what you bring to the table and why you’re interested in working with that company. About Our Guest: Susan Peppercorn(https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanpeppercorn/) is a coach, writer, and speaker. She’s passionate about helping people move from surviving to thriving in their careers. Susan is the author of the bestselling “Ditch Your Inner Critic At Work: Evidence-Based Strategies To Thrive In Your Career.“ (https://amzn.to/2Z49VJ7). Resources in This Episode: Wondering if you’re in the right job? Get your free Career Fit Self-Assessment at https://positiveworkp

If you're like most people, you feel nervous when going into a job interview. And science has shown that a lack of self-confidence directly affects your body language, which can distract the hiring manager or make you appear less suited for the job. You don’t want to walk into an interview room and try to wing it. You want to walk in there with confidence. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, John Ribeiro, says that confidence comes from changing your mindset, preparing what you’re going to say, and sharing stories that show your true and authentic self. About Our Guest: John Ribeiro (linkedin.com/in/ribeirojohn/) gives people what they need to ace a job interview. He prepares you with the skills and mindset to answer those tough questions that will lead you to a job offer. John is also a veteran hiring manager. And he’s a professional public speaker, podcaster, and co-author of the book Zero2hired: Successfully Break Through Your Interview Process. Resources in This Episode: Learn how to fu

Figuring out the next step on your career journey takes energy and focus. If your strategy so far has been to apply everywhere and see what happens, getting clear on your purpose can reap powerful benefits. Find Your Dream Job guest Erin Thomas says you need to know exactly what type of job is going to leverage your unique talents and strengths. Erin also shares the five-step process she uses with clients to get clear about who you are and about what matters most to you in a job search. About Our Guest: Erin Thomas (www.linkedin.com/in/erinfthomas/) is a career and leadership coach, organizational development expert, and human resources professional. Over the past 15 years, Erin has worked with hundreds of people from all around the globe to uncover their unique leadership stance and voice, putting them in the driver seat of their career and life. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about Erin’s career coaching, visit her website at careerandleadershipcoaching.com. Do you find yourself applying for

If you're a mid-career professional looking to make a career change, you’re likely to face obstacles as you try to find the best possible position. Since finding that next job can take a while, you need to use that time to hone in on your unique strengths and talents. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, Alfredo Moreno (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredovmoreno/) shares how refining his elevator pitch helped him to see the things he valued most, as a professional and as a person. Alfredo also shares how goal setting and accountability helped him keep his focus, even during a months-long job search. Learn more about Alfredo’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’m the community relations manager at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus (https://www.pcc.edu/about/locations/rock-creek/) in Washington County. How long did it take you to find this job? It was a

If you’ve ever decided not to apply for a job because you didn’t have 100 percent of the requirements, you may want to revise your strategy. Employers know that there is no perfect candidate for the jobs they advertise. You might be the best applicant with only 60-70 percent of the skills required. But how do you explain the lack of certain skills in an interview? Find Your Dream Job guest Eric B. Horn suggests assuring the hiring manager that you are willing to pursue training and further education if necessary. Eric also shares how to know when the lack of specific skills is a deal-breaker. About Our Guest: Eric B. Horn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbhorn) is a career strategist. national speaker, trainer, and seminar leader who has a unique passion for serving professionals with seven or fewer years of work experience, and business owners, become more successful. Eric is also the author of “How Professional is Your Development” (https://amzn.to/2O6MZWj) and the co-host of the C.A.R.E. podcast (https://

In most job interviews, the hiring manager will lead with questions like “Tell me about a time when …” Or, “Have you ever faced a situation where…?” These are both examples of behavioral interview questions. Before you walk into an interview, you need to be ready for every possible iteration of a behavioral interview question. Find Your Dream Job guest Gina Riley emphasizes that behavioral interview questions give you an opportunity to showcase your skills, demonstrate how you work with a team, and highlight how you’ll excel in the role. About Our Guest: Gina Riley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginariley) is an executive career coach and leadership search consultant with Talence Group (https://www.talencegroup.com/). Her experience in recruitment, interviewing, and leadership talent development led her to develop a career coaching program to help executives clarify and better articulate their career stories.  Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready for executive-level coaching or recruiting, visit Gina a

It’s not uncommon to feel as though a job interview is an interrogation and that your entire life is on display for the interviewer to pick apart. But, an interview is a two-way conversation. And while it’s important to prepare for the questions you may get, Find Your Dream Job guest Rachel Beohm says it’s also crucial that you walk into the room with confidence, and the knowledge that you belong there. Rachel shares how eye contact, positive body language, and knowing your value before you walk into the interview can help you to come across more confidently. About Our Guest: Rachel Beohm (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbeohm/) is an executive coach and speaker who specializes in nonverbal communication and personal presence. She trains executives, HR professionals, speakers, and job seekers to present themselves powerfully through the use of nonverbal communication skills so they can achieve their goals, and helps her clients face difficult or scary situations, such as public speaking, negotiation, and

One of the biggest challenges that you will face in your professional life is choosing a career. It’s not only recent college graduates that face this challenge. Most of us will change careers at least once during our working lives. How do you find the job that’s the best fit for you, no matter your age? Find Your Dream Job guest, Dalan Vanterpool, says that before you begin thinking about certain roles,  you need to ask yourself five specific questions. The answers to these questions can help you land a job that not only allows you to excel in your work, but also provides an atmosphere that you enjoy being a part of every day. About Our Guest: Dalan Vanterpool (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalanv/) is a private banker and career development expert from the British Virgin Islands. Dalan hosts the Focus The Fire podcast (http://focusthefire.com/). His show helps young professionals build meaningful careers that lead to more time, money, and freedom. Resources in This Episode: Dalan’s podcast, Focus the Fir

In order to find a career you love, you have to know what you want. Great careers don’t just happen; they’re formed by taking advantage of opportunities, setting goals, and making connections with the people who can help you get the job you want. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, Alisyn Maggiora (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisynmaggiora/) and I discuss how setting clear goals, developing her personal network, and pursuing informational interviews allowed her to get her dream job, even in an industry that she had no experience in. Learn more about Alisyn’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 an administrative professional with a focus on the non-profit energy industry. I work for the NW Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) (https://neea.org/). How long did it take you to find this job? 3 months. How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool

When you see a job posting that you're interested in, your natural inclination might be to get your application in as quickly as possible. After all, you’ve got a better chance of being seen if you get it in early, right? Not so, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Connel Valentine. Sending in a general resume, no matter how early, is a great way to end up on a huge pile of other discarded, generic resumes. Connel says the best way to get ahead of the competition is to understand the job description, conduct extensive research, and use that research to arrange a meeting with the hiring executives.  About Our Guest: Connel Valentine (www.linkedin.com/in/connelvalentine/) helps people find the job that’s right for them. He's a career coach and online course instructor at Zero2Hired (zero2hired.com/). Providing both one-on-one sessions as well as self-paced learning courses, Connel shares core skills with clients to get them into the workforce as quickly as possible. Resources in This Episode: For more inf

A strong job search strategy includes many things, but have you ever considered that publishing content on LinkedIn should be an integral part of that strategy? LinkedIn is a great place to find your next position, says Find Your Dream Job guest Andy Foote. Andy recommends finding content that has high engagement and using it to inform your own writing. As you publish content, continue to build connections so that an audience will begin to engage with your posts. And once you have a bank of content to share, add your best posts to the Featured section of your LinkedIn page.  About Our Guest: Andy Foote (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfoote/) is a writer and coach who teaches LinkedIn strategies. Andy also hosts the podcast, Foote-Notes. (https://www.foote-notes.com) It’s an interview show with interesting people on LinkedIn. Resources in This Episode: To learn how to maximize your LinkedIn profile, head over to Andy’s website at www.linkedinsights.com/. (http://www.linkedinsights.com/) From our Sponsor:

If you are currently a graduate student, you might be waiting until graduation to look for your next position. But that’s a mistake on several levels, says Find Your Dream Job guest Liz Hererra. If you spend time at the beginning of your education figuring out where you hope to end up, you can avoid months of frustration. Liz recommends assessing your strengths, building a strong network, and taking advantage of internships to build momentum in your job search during graduate school.  About Our Guest: Liz Herrera (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/) is a professional career coach. Liz is also a director of career development and major exploration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Resources in This Episode: For more career advice and coaching, listen to Liz’s podcast, Liz Career Coaching Podcast. (https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/podcast/) 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 professiona

While COVID-19 ushered in the era of virtual hiring, we can expect it to stick around long after the pandemic is over. But how do you pivot to prepare for mostly virtual interviews? Find Your Dream Job guest Shereen Rodrigues says it all starts with that first impression. She suggests dressing your best, head to toe, and having a professional-looking background for video interviews. Shereen says that you should be prepared to share digital copies of your work samples, and practice using all the technology your interview requires before the actual meeting.  About Our Guest: Shereen Rodrigues (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereenrodriguesmbaphr/) is the talent acquisition manager at Otak. (https://www.otak.com/) It’s an architecture and engineering design firm. Resources in This Episode: For more information and to connect with Shereen, contact her on LinkedIn, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereenrodriguesmbaphr/) or email her directly at [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected]) Be sure

You’ve updated your resume, figured out what lights you up, and held informational interviews. But you might still be missing an important piece in your job search: taking advantage of your alumni network. Find Your Dream Job guest Tiffany Waddell Tate offers a reminder that you have access to people across all sectors and locations simply because of where you were educated. Tiffany suggests using LinkedIn or the Career Services Office at your alma mater to connect with others from your school, and always remember to give back as much, or more, than you ask for.  About Our Guest:  Tiffany Waddell Tate (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanywaddelltate/) is the CEO and founder of Career Maven Consulting. (https://www.careermavenconsulting.com/) It’s a career coaching and talent development firm. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to create a resume that gets noticed, take a look at Tiffany’s mini-course, The Resume Cure. (https://careermavenacademy.teachable.com/p/the-resume-cure) From our Sponsor: F