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

Amy Santee, a career strategist specializing in user experience professionals, shares vital insights on creating a successful job search strategy. She emphasizes the importance of clarity in your career priorities and financial goals to avoid aimlessness. Listeners learn about the SMART goals framework for targeting efforts and reducing job search stress. Santee also highlights the necessity of personalizing strategies, tracking applications, and mastering behavioral interviews for improved chances of landing desired roles.

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)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices