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

If you’re an introvert, the idea of networking can make you feel exhausted before you even head out the door to an event. But networking is a proven way to get a better job, faster. So how do you, as an introvert, make networking easier? Find Your Dream Job guest Brad Minton suggests starting where you’re comfortable. Try to focus on individual conversations rather than huge crowds, and know what you want to gain from those conversations. Brad also reminds us of the importance of always being true to who you are, and demonstrating to an employer how your personality will benefit the company and its needs. About Our Guest: Brad Minton (http://linkedin.com/in/brad-w-minton) is a career coach, certified resume writer, and licensed professional counselor.  Resources in This Episode: For more career advice, listen to Brad’s podcast, Your Career GPS. (https://minttobecareer.com/podcast) Connect with Brad on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brad-w-minton/. (http://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-w-minton/) 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’d love a job where you feel seen and understood, where the culture is positive and you feel fulfilled, you want an inclusive workplace. And one that isn’t inclusive in name only. How do you find that type of company? You begin with self-reflection, says Find Your Dream Job guest Victor Cato. Know why you desire to work at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion. Next, research the company’s mission statement and any policies related to DEI work. And Victor suggests always using your interview time to ask specific questions about what’s important to you.  About Our Guest: Victor Cato is the talent acquisition and retention manager for the Northwest Regional Education Service District. Resources in This Episode: Northwest Regional Education Service District is hiring. For more information on a career in an inclusive environment in the Oregon area, visit their website at www.nwresd.org/about/careers. (http://www.nwresd.org/about/careers) From our Sponsor: Find Your Dream Job is brought to you by Top Resume.(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

Too many people think that job boards are the magic ticket to their dream position. Yes, job boards serve a purpose, but only when they are used strategically. Instead of applying to every job you qualify for, it’s worth it to first take some time to figure out your end goal. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jennifer Eskridge (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifereskridge/) shares how she defined the exact type of position she wanted. Jennifer also explains how she used networking to verify her career purpose.  Learn more about Jennifer’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

You can expect to switch jobs several times during your working life. But if you’re ready to try an entirely new field, it may be harder than you think to get hired. You have to present yourself as already able to do the work, says Find Your Dream Job guest Roshaunda Green. Do your research to know what skills the new sector requires and highlight your abilities in those areas. Always remember that a job is about the employer’s needs, and approach your career and your desire to pivot with courage and confidence. About Our Guest: Roshaunda Green (http://www.linkedin.com/in/roshaundagreen/) is an account manager for diversity and inclusion at SourceAbled and Rangam Consultants. Roshaunda helps employers find and hire qualified people with autism, neurodiversity, and disabilities. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Roshaunda on her LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/in/roshaundagreen. (http://www.linkedin.com/in/roshaundagreen/)   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

Asking for help during a job search is a no-brainer; we need others to help us make connections, identify our strengths, etc. But what should you do if you ask for help and get no response? Start by looking at your request, says Find Your Dream Job guest Mike Bird. Was it specific enough? Keep your requests short and to the point so that you aren’t wasting others’ time. Mike also suggests finding things you may have in common before sending a cold email. Focus on building relationships that will serve you long-term instead of depending on one-off conversations to get you that job. About Our Guest: Mike Bird (https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdmike/) is a Montréal-based career coach for new graduates and young professionals looking to confidently establish themselves in the working world. Resources in This Episode: If you’re a new grad or young professional looking for your first real job, learn more about how Mike can help you by visiting his website at www.coachoiseau.com/. (http://www.coachoiseau.com/) Be sure to check out Mike’s podcast, The Career Builder’s Podcast, at www.coachoiseau.com/tcbp/. (http://www.coachoiseau.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

One of the challenges of a job search is finding a position that represents your values and concerns. How can you be proactive about finding a job where you can make a difference? You begin with a personal mission statement, says Find Your Dream Job guest Greg Flores. Start by determining which issues you feel led to do something about. Then, list the skills you have to make a difference in that area. Once you know the issue and how you can contribute, focus on applying to positions that allow you to use those skills to address the issues that are important to you. About Our Guest: Greg Flores (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryflores/) is associate director of career services at Portland State University. He has worked in career development for almost 20 years. Resources in This Episode: Greg would love to connect with you on LinkedIn; find him at www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryflores/. 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

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes that includes long-term absences from the workforce but a long-term absence doesn’t have to hold you back. How do you explain an absence to a hiring manager? You start by addressing the issue upfront, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Sonal Bahl. Don’t leave the question open for the hiring manager to try to figure out. Sonal also shares how to present your experiences during your absence as building your skillset, and how to confidently lead the interview conversation. About Our Guest: Sonal Bahl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalbahl/) is a career strategist and founder of Supercharge (https://www.superchargeyourself.com/). It’s a career advisory firm with clients across the globe. She’s also the host of the How I Got Hired podcast. (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-got-hired/id1536817985) Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready for personalized help in your job search, learn more about working with Sonal on her website at www.superchargeyourself.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

As a job seeker, you have hundreds of podcasts, career coaches, and websites where you can find advice on how to find your next position. Lack of advice isn’t an issue. But what if the advice you get isn’t good? How can you tell which advice you should follow and which you should ignore? Find Your Dream Job guest Kamara Toffolo says you need to look for people who have experience in hiring. She also advises tossing out anything that suggests ways to “beat the system.” Focus on your resume and networking, and you will find the job that’s right for you. About Our Guest: Kamara Toffolo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamarat/) is a resume writer, LinkedIn consultant, and job search strategist. Resources in This Episode: Kamara has offered a free cover letter guide to our listeners. To download your copy, visit her website at kamaratoffolo.com.(https://kamaratoffolo.com/) Be sure to check out Kamara’s YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/kamaratoffolocareers.(http://youtube.com/kamaratoffolocareers) 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 often talk about the difficulties of finding your next job, but what if you get an offer fairly quickly that just isn’t a good fit? There is no rule that says you have to accept the first offer you receive. It’s crucial that you do your research into whether the company aligns with your personal values and desired outcomes. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Kelly Anderson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyandersonpdx/) shares why she turned down job offers and how the job market has changed in the 15 years since her last job search. Learn more about Kelly’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’ve been laid off or need to find a job quickly, you might feel tempted to send your resume or application materials to every open position you discover. But Find Your Dream Job guest Serena Chan says that’s not a good plan. Hiring managers and recruiters need to know you have the specific skills necessary for the position you’re applying for. Serena also says it’s important to do your own research to be sure that the company you’re applying to is a place you truly want to work, based on their vision and company culture. About Our Guest: Serena Chan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-chan-79881114/) is a recruiter with Cambia Health Solutions. It’s a nonprofit health care company. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about the job opportunities at Cambia, visit their website at cambiahealth.com/careers. (http://www.cambiahealth.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