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

With double-digit unemployment due to Covid-19, should you even look for work right now? Even in unprecedented times like these, the job market doesn’t come to a complete halt. Find Your Dream Job guest Pattie Sinacole says that if you’re sitting on the sidelines, you are actively missing opportunities. If you’re ready to get serious about your next career move, Pattie recommends creating a strong LinkedIn profile, building your personal and professional networks, and surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family.  About Our Guest: Patricia Hunt Sinacole (https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciahsinacole/) is the CEO and Founder of First Beacon Group LLC (www.firstbeacongroup.com), (https://firstbeacongroup.com/) a Human Resources (HR) consulting firm that provides HR services to a wide variety of companies across New England. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Pattie on LinkedIn to see more of the content she shares there. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciahsinacole) To follow Pattie’s weekly blog column, visit the Boston Globe. (https://www.boston.com/author/pattie-hunt-sinacole) 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

Choosing the industry you want to pursue in your career is one of the most important decisions you will make, but it can also be one of the toughest. How do you narrow your choices if you aren’t sure what you want to do? One of the most helpful ways, says Find Your Dream Job guest Meg Gerry, is trial and error. You have to try things to know if they’re a good fit. Meg also suggests having conversations with people currently working in the field you are considering. And finally, personality and career assessments can help you get clear on the skills you offer and what you need in a work environment.  About Our Guest: Meg Gerry (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-gerry-academic-career-advising/) is a Certified Career Services Provider (NCDA), a Global Career Development Facilitator (CCE), a Certified College Counselor, and an academic advisor with a master's degree in academic advising. Resources in This Episode: Meg’s podcast, All Things College and Career, (https://atcandc.com/) provides interviews with experienced professionals to help you decide which academic major or career path is right for you.  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

Does imposter syndrome hold you back from pursuing your dream job? It’s a common issue that affects approximately 75% of us at least once in our careers. If you feel like a fraud when discussing your job skills, there are concrete ways to overcome it, says Find Your Dream Job guest Lisa Orbe-Austin. Applying to jobs that you aren’t 100% qualified for and having others who can speak to your strengths are great ways to boost your confidence. Lisa also shares the importance of having a structure for your job search, and how to use your network, even if you’re hesitant to ask others for help.  About Our Guest: Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaorbeaustin/) is a licensed psychologist and executive coach, with a focus on career advancement, leadership development, and job transitions. Resources in This Episode: If you need step-by-step help managing imposter syndrome, get a copy of Lisa’s book, “Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life.”(https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Greatness-Overcome-Self-Doubt/dp/1646040244) 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

Long-distance job searching can present unique challenges, from figuring out what your new city has to offer to meeting the people who can potentially help you in your search. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Elizabeth Lattanner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-shappell/) and I discuss her move from Washington DC to Portland, and how she leveraged her network in DC to begin building a network 2,000  miles away. Elizabeth also shares how she used the power of informational interviews to find the companies she wanted to work for. Learn more about Elizabeth’’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

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look for work. But how long will those changes last, and what do they mean for the future of job search? According to Find Your Dream Job guest John Sullivan, the changes are permanent and you need to be prepared to adjust your strategy. John shares how to show potential employers that you are capable of handling crises, as well as proving to hiring managers that you have the up-to-date skills needed to work from home and even lead a team remotely.  About Our Guest: John Sullivan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-john-sullivan/) is a human resources expert, author, and speaker. He also teaches at San Francisco State University. Resources in This Episode: If you need help finding a job in the current climate, visit John’s website at www.drjohnsullivan.com. (http://www.drjohnsullivan.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 (http://macslist.org/topresume) from one of Top Resume’s expert writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve stopped looking for work because of the current pandemic, you might be surprised to learn that many employers are still hiring. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty in the economy, says Find Your Dream Job guest Biron Clark, so you need to go into a job search focusing on the here and now rather than the long-term. Biron suggests completing 1 or 2 high-impact activities every day instead of spending all day on the computer filling out applications. It’s also a great time to pursue fully-remote positions if that’s something you’re interested in.  About Our Guest: Biron Clark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/biron/) is a former executive recruiter and the founder of CareerSidekick.com.(https://careersidekick.com/) His advice is read by more than one million people per month. Resources in This Episode: For more articles on finding your dream job, head over to Biron’s website at  CareerSidekick.com. (https://careersidekick.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

Conducting a job search in a stay-at-home world requires a vastly different skill set than many of us are accustomed to, says Find Your Dream Job guest Toni Patterson. Video interviews have replaced face-to-face meetings, and technology know-how is now a requirement, not just an added benefit. It’s important to prepare a space to conduct your video meetings, and Toni recommends paying close attention to the background and lighting. Body language is still important, even over video, so be sure that you understand how to maintain eye contact through your computer or phone.  About Our Guest: Toni Patterson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-patterson-0a5a74126/)is a career coach who helps smart, driven women get the salaries, promotions, and jobs they want.  Resources in This Episode: Updating your LinkedIn profile is a great way to stand out to employers. Get your copy of Toni’s resource, The Ten Easy Ways to Update Your LinkedIn Profile So That The Jobs Find You, (https://toniapatterson.lpages.co/linkedin-profile-tips/) for practical ways to update your LinkedIn profile. 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 you’re looking for that perfect job fit, you need more than just a network. You need a group of people who know you, your needs, and your personal values. Find Your Dream Job guest Soumary Vongrassamy says you need friends who will remind you of what’s really important and who will help you ask tough questions about the job. Once you find your dream job, Soumary says it is of the utmost importance that you “pay it forward,” creating that inner circle for others and helping them through the job search process. About Our Guest: Soumary Vongrassamy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumary/) is a specialist in equity and conflict resolution with the Multnomah County government in Portland, Oregon. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Soumary at (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumary/). Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview Questions You Need to Know. (http://www.macslist.org/questions) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve moved to a new city, you might expect it to take a while to find a job that you love. But on this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jackie Starr (http://linkedin.com/in/jackiestarr) shares how she found her dream job in a new city in just two months. Jackie was looking for work in the nonprofit field, and she wanted a position that had a positive impact on her community. Working with a career coach helped Jackie to narrow down her options, and telling others she was job hunting directly led her to the position she has today as the executive director at the Friends of the Multnomah County Library. Learn more about Jackie’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

If you’ve been looking for your next position for quite some time, you may feel discouraged. It’s normal to experience depression during an extended job search. It’s also normal to not want to talk about it, says Find Your Dream Job guest Ashley Watkins. You may feel embarrassed about not having a job and your self-worth might have taken a big hit. But Ashley shares the importance of being honest with yourself and others. She also lays out the exact steps you need to overcome those negative feelings, make adjustments, and land the job of your dreams.  About Our Guest: Ashley Watkins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjwatkins/) is a certified resume writer, job search coach and former corporate recruiter. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, visit WriteStepResumes.com(https://www.writestepresumes.com)to learn more about Ashley and the services she offers.  Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview Questions You Need to Know. (http://www.macslist.org/questions)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices