Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job

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 by visiting his website at www.harshaboralessa.com/. (http://www.harshaboralessa.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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 at Fireworks Coaching (https://www.fireworkscoaching.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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)
   

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 and help she offers!
• 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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 (https://www.rainierrecruiting.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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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-certification/)
• 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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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-columbia-willamette.
• 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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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://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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 resume, find out how Alex can help you by visiting redaccioncv.com (https://www.redaccioncv.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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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.org/topresume) Top Resume has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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://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 resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

   

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 has helped more than 400,000 professionals land more interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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 interviews and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)

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. 

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 and get hired faster. Get a free review of your resume today from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. (http://macslist.org/topresume)