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

How do you decide whether to stay at your company or look for a position elsewhere? It all boils down to a few simple questions, according to this week’s Find Your Dream Job guest, Kelli Thompson. Do your values match those of the employer? Are you excited to get to the office every day? If not, have you discussed your needs with your boss? Kelli recommends doing what you can to change the environment before choosing to leave it. State your needs clearly and set boundaries around time and expectations. And finally, trust yourself to know what’s best for you. About Our Guest: Kelli Thompson (http://linkedin.com/in/kelliraethompson) is a leadership and career coach. Kelli’s mission is to help women advance to the rooms where decisions are made. She’s also the author of Closing The Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential & Your Paycheck (https://www.kelliraethompson.com/book) Resources in This Episode: Kelli’s book can help you increase your confidence in the workplace. Get your copy by visiting her

It’s an exciting time of life; you're having a baby! But how do you make your next career move when your time and energy are about to be challenged? First, says Find Your Dream Job guest Emily Lamia, focus on the job you want. Just like any job seeker, determine your skills and the value you offer to the company you’re applying to. Next, Emily says, determine the benefits you need and pursue the positions that offer them. And finally, don’t let pregnancy make you feel like you can’t get hired; companies will hire the right person for the job, so communicate that you are the right person.  About Our Guest: Emily Lamia (http://linkedin.com/in/emilylamia) is the founder and owner of Pivot Journeys (https://www.pivotjourneys.com/). Her company gives you the strategies and support you need to find meaningful work. And to empower you to be inspired, engaged, and effective on the job. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready for personalized help as you navigate your next career move, find out how Emily can hel

It might seem polite not to negotiate salary, but you are affecting your entire future when you don’t. An extra $15K per year can make a huge difference in your retirement savings, says Find Your Dream Job guest Kimberly Brown. If you need help positioning yourself to get a higher salary, Kimberly suggests starting by knowing your skillset, experience, and value. Share stories that display results you’ve had in the past, along with moments that brought growth. Kimberly also stresses the need for you to believe that you deserve the salary you’re asking for.  About Our Guest: Kimberly Brown (http://linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline) is a career and leadership expert, author of the new book, Next Move, Best Move (https://www.amazon.com/Next-Move-Best-Transitioning-Career/dp/1119736226), and host of the weekly podcast, Your Next Move (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-next-move-podcast/id1559556846). Kimberly’s mission is to empower women and people of color in the workplace.  Resources in This Episode:

We all dread the question, tell me about a time you made a mistake in your job. But if we can address our mistakes as simply a piece of our entire career story, we can change the feeling of shame and uncertainty we may feel. Find Your Dream Job guest Melissa Magaña says our stories make us seem more personable and attractive to hiring managers. Melissa shares how to create a narrative arc of your career history that allows you to share specific stories- stories of successes and challenges.  About Our Guest: Melissa Magaña (http://linkedin.com/in/melissalmagana) is the HR generalist at Habitat for Humanity Portland Region (https://habitatportlandregion.org/).  Resources in This Episode: Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn by visiting Melissa Magaña (http://linkedin.com/in/melissalmagana). 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

A job seeker’s market means you have more control over the process of finding your next position. Even if you don’t have 100% of the requirements a posting calls for, Find Your Dream Job guest Beth Gibbs says you should consider applying anyway. Beth shares the best way to know if a job is right for you and how to communicate your non negotiables to a hiring manager. Networking is more important than ever, and Beth explains how to use your network to find the perfect job.  About Our Guest: Beth Gibbs (http://linkedin.com/in/beth-gibbs-6b99214) is the people and culture director at Impact NW (https://impactnw.org/).  Her organization prevents homelessness by partnering with people as they navigate their journey to stability and opportunity. Resources in This Episode: Beth welcomes connections on LinkedIn. Reach out to her at www.linkedin.com/in/beth-gibbs-6b99214. 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 pr

Have you ever considered starting your own business while still looking for your dream job? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Aaron Kier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkier/) shares why he continued applying for jobs even after starting his own consulting firm. Aaron also talks about how he used the power of networking not to find a job but to get better at looking for one. Learn more about Aaron’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

Preparing for an interview is non-negotiable; you must go in ready to answer questions about your skills, experience, and goals. But it’s even more important that you be authentic. Your resume speaks to your ability to do the job; hiring managers want to know if you’re the right fit, says Find Your Dream Job guest Danelle Robertson. The best way to accomplish that is by having a genuine conversation. Be willing to share your strengths and weaknesses, how you find solutions to problems, and how you’re growing in your field. But above all, says Danelle, be yourself. About Our Guest: Danelle Robertson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-robertson-phr-ccws-306b754/) is the people and culture partner at the Oregon Humane Society (https://www.oregonhumane.org/).  Her organization rescues, heals, and adopts thousands of pets each year.  Resources in This Episode: Connect with Danelle on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-robertson-phr-ccws-306b754/). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought t

Today’s job market requires more than filling out applications. It requires knowing how to market yourself. If you don’t know where to start, Find Your Dream Job guest Liesl Forve says to start by thinking about each job you’ve had and which parts you were most successful at. Then, make a list of your skills and another list of the things you don’t want to do. That should help you narrow down what you love. Liesl then suggests creating a concise “I want” statement that you can use on LinkedIn, your resume, and in conversation with others.  About Our Guest: Liesl Forve (http://linkedin.com/in/lieslhydeforve) leads market expansion and corporate partnerships for Navigate Forward (https://www.navigateforward.com/). Her company supports executives as they explore a shift in career, pivot into retirement, or consider board service. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Liesl on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lieslhydeforve (http://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslhydeforve). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job i

If you don’t have a good work-life balance, you will deal with higher stress levels and less satisfaction at work. How do you find a job with a focus on that balance? Find Your Dream Job guest Marcett Banks says you begin by knowing what’s important to you outside of work. What are the things you need time for? Marcett urges honesty when speaking to hiring managers about the time you need for these things. She also recommends not settling for less than what you truly need. You can have a good work-life balance if you know what you’re looking for and how to communicate that to a potential employer.  About Our Guest: Marcett Banks (http://linkedin.com/in/marcett-banks-818b9a132) is a human resource manager at Elephants Delicatessen (https://www.elephantsdeli.com/). It’s Portland's premier catering company and specialty foods retailer. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Marcett by sending her a note on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/marcett-banks-818b9a132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcett-banks-818b9a1

We hear about the importance of using LinkedIn as a networking tool and for finding a great job. But why is it so crucial, and how do you use it exactly? Find Your Dream Job guest Omar Garriott says you begin by making LinkedIn a daily habit. You can’t go there once a week only to see what new jobs are available. Omar also suggests building a proactive network on the platform and optimizing your profile for the job you want. The trick is to lean in, learn the platform, and take the reigns in your life and career.  About Our Guest: Omar Garriott (http://linkedin.com/in/ogarriott) is the global head of education for Qualtrics (https://www.qualtrics.com/) and the co-author of the new book, Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future. (https://www.amazon.com/Linked-Conquer-LinkedIn-Dream-Future/dp/1523514167) Resources in This Episode: To use LinkedIn to its fullest get your copy of Omar’s new book, Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future. (https://www.amazon.com/Linked-

When your life changes, whether through becoming a parent or something else, you need an employer who cares about your needs. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Rae Rawls Dunnaville (http://linkedin.com/in/raedunnaville) shares how she used her connections to find the perfect job for her changing needs, and why she applied for a job that she may not have sought out. Rae also talks about the importance of keeping your resume updated and why it’s crucial to not only be interviewed but to interview the company as well. Learn more about Rae’’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

It can seem like the most natural thing to do; you want a job, so you dive into the deep end and spend 40+ hours a week on your search. Why is that a bad idea? Find Your Dream Job guest Emily Wong says you don’t need to pile additional stress on top of a full-time job. Treat your search like a project; devote a certain number of hours a week to it, and assign specific tasks to those hours. Emily also suggests batching similar tasks to get through them quicker. And above all, allow yourself to experiment with what works best. There is no failure; only tweaking your approach until you find the perfect method for you. About Our Guest: Emily Wong(https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyfithianwong/) is a resume writer, a career coach, and the founder of Words of Distinction (https://www.wordsofdistinction.net/). Emily’s company helps you land an interview through powerful career storytelling. She also hosts the Career Cohort podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-cohort/id1535822301). Resources in This

You have clarity on your next job; you know the company and the position that will be your dream come true. How do you get your foot in the door? Find Your Dream Job guest Mike Stroud is here to share his tips, beginning with tailoring your resume. Show the alignment between your past experience and the job requirements. Mike also says you need to stand out from the crowd. Show the employer why this is your dream company and how you can serve them. And finally, networking is always the best way to find your dream job.  About Our Guest: Mike Stroud (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-stroud-503aa57a/) is a talent acquisition manager and is here to talk about how to get your foot in the door at your dream company. Resources in This Episode: If Tillamook sounds like your dream company, find out more about job openings there by visiting www.tillamook.com/careers (http://www.tillamook.com/careers). From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by TopResume.(http://macslist.org/topresume) Top Resume ha

It’s not unusual to switch careers several times in your life, but your first time can be nerve-wracking. Find Your Dream Job guest José Miguel Longo is here to explain how to handle the process with ease. Begin with an assessment of your skills and values and how they align with the industry you’d like to pursue. José says you have to be prepared to take action to change careers; do your research, network with others, and gain clarity so you can remain focused on what you want.  About Our Guest: José Miguel Longo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josemiguellongo/) is a career and life coach who helps Millennials achieve meaningful and successful careers while gaining clarity and purpose in life. José Miguel also hosts the podcast, Coaching for Millennials (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coaching-for-millennials-career-life-linkedin-coaching/id1510658413.) Resources in This Episode: Are you a Millennial in need of career advice? Tune in to José Miguel’s podcast Coaching for Millennials for encouragement

There are many reasons you may have had a negative work experience; the question is, how do you communicate it to a hiring manager without sounding vindictive or like you’re hiding something? Find Your Dream Job guest Stephanie Heath says it’s crucial to be honest because the truth will out. Stephanie suggests owning your part, not over-sharing, and venting with a friend before an interview. Spend more time focusing on what you want from your next position than you spend on what was wrong with the negative experience you had.  About Our Guest: Stephanie Heath (http://linkedin.com/in/stephanieheath) is a job search advisor, a salary negotiation expert, and the founder of SoulWork and Six Figures (https://www.soulworkandselfies.com/). Resources in This Episode: Get your free guide to help you communicate your market value during interviews by visiting soulworkandselfies.com/YourMarketValue (https://www.soulworkandselfies.com/YourMarketValue). Are you ready to accelerate your job search process and achieve y

Do you get nervous before and during an interview? That’s natural, says Find Your Dream Job guest John Neral. After all, you want the job, right? But John says there’s a better way to approach an interview; simply having coffee and conversing with a colleague. The most important thing you can do is show the hiring manager exactly how you can help them solve the problems they need to be solved and why you are the best person for the job. Your goal is to build a relationship in the time you have that leads to a job offer.  About Our Guest: John Neral (http://linkedin.com/in/johnneral) is a career coach who helps mid-career professionals find a job they love or love the job they have.  John also hosts The Mid-Career GPS Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mid-career-gps-podcast/id1548327541). Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to make a mid-career change, tune in to John’s podcast, The Mid-Career GPS Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mid-career-gps-podcast/id1548327541)

A job search can be grueling. Hours and hours spent on perfecting your resume, sending in applications, networking, and interviewing can take their toll. What if you paced yourself and went a bit slower but you were more focused on what you wanted? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jenny Affan (http://linkedin.com/in/jennyaffan) shares how she decided what was important to her in her next job, and how she made the entire process more fun and less stressful. Learn more about Jenny’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories (https://www.macslist.org/success-stories/a-job-market-in-flux-jenny-affans-job-search-success-story)series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready to answer the question, “How have you handled failure in past positions?” If not, you’re not ready for behavioral interview questions. These questions aren’t about memorizing answers, says Find Your Dream Job guest Porschia Parker-Griffin. These questions are a chance to share your accomplishments. Hiring managers want results; sharing your results shows them what they can expect from you on the job. It’s also crucial to practice so that you’re comfortable sharing these stories and therefore avoiding long pauses in the interview.  About Our Guest: Porschia Parker-Griffin (http://linkedin.com/in/porschiaparker) is the founder and CEO of Fly High Coaching (https://www.fly-highcoaching.com/). Her company helps you find your ideal career, generate an awesome income, and create a life you love. Resources in This Episode: Porschia loves helping job seekers nail down their interviewing skills. Find out how she can help you by visiting her website at Fly High Coaching (https://www.fly-highcoaching.co

Seven seconds. That’s how much time a recruiter spends on an initial resume scan. What can you do to make those seven seconds count? Find Your Dream Job guest Keirsten Greggs says you start by having all the important facts in the right place. Share your experience and the specific, positive ways you impacted your previous employer. Keirsten also recommends focusing on how your past experience would make this the perfect job for you, and “speaking in your own voice.” Don’t use vocabulary that you think a hiring manager wants to hear; use the language of the industry.  About Our Guest: Keirsten Greggs (https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/) is the founder and CEO of TRAP Recruiter (https://traprecruiter.com/). It’s a recruiting and career coaching firm that bridges the gap between job seekers and employers. Resources in This Episode: If you need someone to help you bridge the gap between yourself as a job seeker and employers, Keirsten would love to help. Find out how she can help you by visiting trapr

For the first time in decades, there are more jobs open than people who want them. What does this mean for you? It means that you now have the freedom to pursue what you truly want instead of settling for what you can get. Find Your Dream Job guest Sha Lee Hornsby says now is the perfect time to make the career change you’ve been putting off. Flexibility is more available than ever, and employers are willing to hire you even if you have gaps in your resume. Sha recommends finding your community and using it to help you get where you want to go. About Our Guest: Sha Lee Hornsby (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sha-hornsby-37326312/) is a staffing and HR expert with more than 20 years of experience. Sha also hosts the award-winning Cool Careers Podcast (https://shaleehornsby.com/). Resources in This Episode: Not sure what your dream job would look like? Check out Sha’s podcast, Cool Careers Podcast (https://shaleehornsby.com/), where she talks to people about their jobs and why they love them. From our Sponsor