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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16454&preview=true)  Job searching can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and the pressure to find your next opportunity. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career coach Samorn Selim, founder of Career Unicorns®, shares a simple but powerful system to help you get your next job without burning out. She explains how to spot the signs of job search fatigue, why clarity is the first step to success, and how to focus on what truly matters instead of trying to do everything at once. Samorn breaks down her three-part system — clarity, strategy, and consistency — to make the process manageable and effective. You’ll learn how to narrow your focus, structure your search in small, realistic steps, and celebrate progress along the way. Whether you’re sending out endless applications or feeling stuck in a cycle of stop-and-start searching, this episode will help you approach your job search with confidence, balance, and renewed energy. About Our Guest: Samorn Selim is the founder of Career Unicorns Resources in This Episode: Connect with Samorn on LinkedIn Check out Samorn's gratitude journal, Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy | Perfect Gift For Yourself Or Loved Ones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charity McDonald, a career and leadership consultant, shares her insights on navigating career pivots. She discusses the importance of expanding job title options and focusing on transferable skills. Managing expectations during a job search, especially when it's prolonged, is crucial. Charity also emphasizes the power of networking and building genuine connections, as most job opportunities arise through referrals. Additionally, she offers tangible LinkedIn strategies for making meaningful connections with hiring managers.

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16435&preview=true)  Many job seekers treat interviews as a series of questions to answer correctly, but doing so can make you blend in instead of stand out. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career coach Kacie Bail explains how to turn an interview into a genuine conversation that builds trust and connection with your interviewer. She shares three practical steps: listen intently, identify conversation threads, and engage naturally with what your interviewer says. By focusing on curiosity and connection, you can show that you’re not only qualified but also someone they’ll enjoy working with. Kacie also offers simple ways to signal understanding, ask meaningful follow-up questions, and use nonverbal cues like nodding and smiling to build rapport. You’ll learn how to adapt these techniques for both casual and highly structured interviews — and why the goal isn’t perfection, but authenticity. As Kacie reminds us, interviewers may forget your exact answers, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. About Our Guest: Kacie Bail is a career coach who helps introverts and non-native English speakers get more fulfilling jobs.   Resources in This Episode: Connect with Kacie on LinkedIn.  Visit her website, where you can Get a Free PDF on How to Ace your Interview in 7 Steps. Sign up for Kacie’s Newsletter. Check out Kacie’s Career Coaching for Introverts and ESL Community Meetup Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16430&preview=true) On Sept. 11, we hosted our third quarterly event of 2025 in partnership with Willamette University’s Atkinson School of Management. Almost 100 people gathered for networking and a panel discussion, “The Leadership Skills You Need to Succeed in Oregon’s Tough Job Market.”  Together, the panelists shared their experiences from higher education, tech recruiting, and executive coaching, offering practical advice for job seekers navigating Oregon’s challenging job market. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from eight tabling organizations, including educators, professional associations, and career coaches. About Our Guest Leah Straley, dean of Graduate Admissions for Willamette University.  Panelists Ashley Nixon, Ph.D., dean for academic affairs and professor of human resources and organizational behavior, Willamette University Tim Butler, principal sourcer, global talent sourcing, New Relic, Inc. Dr. Carol Parker Walsh, JD, PhD, ACC, executive coach & leadership consultant, Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Career coach Tonjala Eaton, an expert in personal branding and intentional job searches, emphasizes the power of your unique reputation in a crowded job market. She discusses the importance of self-reflection to identify what sets you apart and offers practical strategies for showcasing your personal brand effectively, from LinkedIn profiles to interviews. Tonjala highlights how focusing on a clear message helps attract the right opportunities and avoid burnout, ensuring that your skills and contributions stand out to potential employers.

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16414&preview=true) Networking is one of the most effective ways to find your next job. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Nikki Schutte, most opportunities don’t come from job boards — they come through people you know and the connections they can introduce you to. Referrals won’t guarantee you a job, but they often get your application noticed and can lead to interviews you might not get otherwise. In this episode, Nikki explains why employers value personal connections, how professional associations can help you grow your network, and why showing up in person makes such a difference. She also shares practical tips for job seekers who feel hesitant about networking, from starting small at local events to focusing on authentic conversations. By building relationships over time, you’ll uncover hidden opportunities and make your job search far more effective. About Our Guest: Nikki Schutte is the executive director of the Portland Human Resources Management Association. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16359&preview=true) Knowing your values is one of the most important steps you can take in your job search. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Dr. Lucas Moe, your values shape not only the kind of work you’ll enjoy but also the environments where you can do your best work. When you’re clear about what matters most, it’s easier to spot opportunities that fit — and just as importantly, to walk away from roles that don’t. In this episode, Dr. Moe explains how to use the Schwartz Human Value Survey to uncover your top values, why focusing on your top three helps define your non-negotiables, and how self-knowledge can guide better career decisions. He also shares how knowing yourself helps you ask better questions in interviews, make more informed career decisions, and ultimately build a career that feels both meaningful and sustainable. About Our Guest: Dr. Lucas Moe is the associate director for career services at the University of Washington’s Information School.  Resources in This Episode: Connect with Dr. Moe on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16357&preview=true)  Generative AI makes it easy to create resumes and cover letters, but it also makes your application sound just like everyone else’s. Find Your Dream Job guest Gina Riley says relying on AI alone won’t help you stand out in today’s market. Instead, she encourages job seekers to focus on storytelling, showing the results you’ve achieved and the unique value you bring to employers. Gina shares how to use AI wisely, not as a shortcut, but as a support tool for shaping stronger applications and tailoring them to specific roles. She explains why mass applications rarely pay off, why thoughtful customization matters, and why networking and referrals remain important. By building relationships, highlighting results, and positioning yourself as the obvious solution to an employer’s problem, you’ll stand out in ways that AI-generated materials never can. About Our Guest: Gina Riley is an executive career strategist and the author  Check out Gina’s book, Qualified Isn't Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Gina on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16301&preview=true) Taking time away from work can feel risky, but Find Your Dream Job guest Katrina McGhee says a career break is often a smart move. She explains why intentional time off — whether planned or unexpected — can help you recover from burnout, realign with your values, or pursue long-delayed life goals. Katrina also shares why employers are increasingly supportive of breaks and how you can position yours as an advantage in your job search. Katrina recommends starting with a clear purpose statement and designing your break around what you most want from the experience. She covers practical steps, such as setting goals, planning finances, and allowing space for both decompression and reentry. With the right approach, Katrina says, a career break won’t hold you back. It can renew your energy, build your confidence, and set you up for long-term success. About Our Guest: Katrina McGhee is a sabbatical coach who helps professionals turn a career break into a strategic advantage.  Check out Katrina’s book, Taking A Career Break For Dummies Resources in This Episode: Connect with Katrina on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanya Romaniuk, a career counselor at Portland State University, dives into the challenges of perfectionism in job searching. She reveals how waiting for everything to feel 'just right' can stall progress and confidence. Tanya shares practical strategies like taking small, imperfect steps and practicing interviews with friends to build assurance. Recognizing the difference between realistic standards and hindering perfectionism, she encourages listeners to embrace flaws and act before feeling entirely prepared. Her final nugget of wisdom? Commit to one imperfect action this week!