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

Every year, the “Find Your Dream Job” team asks listeners for their feedback on the podcast format, length, and topics. We discovered that 18 percent of listeners are interested in exploring the topic of career change, and 15 percent are interested in discussing job search strategies.  Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s listener survey, your feedback goes a long way towards making the show better! We greatly appreciate your support. We also received dozens of great questions from listeners about job hunting, networking, and career building. On today’s bonus episode, Mac and Jessica sit down to answer five tactical job search questions from listeners around the country. Listen in to find out how to move up in a company when you are not outgoing, and what’s the best practice for following up after submitting a job application. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve exhausted your personal network and run out of known resources, you may need to reach out to people you do not know online for the next step in your job search or career. But what if they don’t answer you? Find Your Dream Job guest Stacey Lane says that you need to make it easy for the other person to say yes. You do this by getting your ask in quickly without sharing too much backstory, not expecting too much of their time, and only sharing minimal context. Stacey also recommends finding someone whose thought leadership you appreciate so that you have common ground from which to initiate a conversation. About Our Guest: Stacey Lane (https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceylane/) is a nationally recognized career coach. She helps people with everything from networking to personal branding. Stacey is known for her candid career guidance. And her advice has appeared in local and national publications. Resources in This Episode: For free templates to help you connect with strangers online, visit Stacey’s website at staceylane.net. Your presence online is critical in order for employers to find you. Learn how to use your social media to make a favorable impression by enrolling in our free online course, How to Wow and Woo Employers Online (https://macslist.teachable.com/p/impress-employers-online/?src=podcast). From our Sponsor: The City of Portland is one of Oregon’s largest employers, and the organization responsible for keeping the city thriving is currently hiring. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you send out your next job application, you need to research standard salaries for your industry and position. It’s easy to be so determined to land a new job that you don’t stop to consider what your career and financial goals are. Find Your Dream Job guest Anica John says that you need to enter a job search strategically, playing to your strengths and desires rather than settling for any role that you're offered. Anica also shares that talking to people who are hiring for similar positions at other companies can help you calculate an accurate salary range. About Our Guest: Anica John (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anicajohn/) is a federal litigator turned serial technology entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Level Up 90 (https://www.levelup90.com/). It’s a professional development platform for women who work in technology. Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to level up in your tech career and find more fulfillment in your work, visit Anica’s website at levelup90.com. If you wait for employers to bring up salary, you’re wasting your time and energy. My guide, How to Talk About Money in an Interview (https://www.macslist.org/cta-how-to-talk-about-money-in-an-interview), shows you how to do salary research before meeting with a hiring manager. From our Sponsor: The City of Portland is one of Oregon’s largest employers, and the organization responsible for keeping the city thriving is currently hiring. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand; something you are known for and that represents you in your career space. But if you are in the midst of switching careers, you may need to rebrand yourself. Find Your Dream Job guest Lisa Lewis says that building a new personal brand begins with deepening self-knowledge and self-assessment. Developing authentic relationships with others is key to redirecting  your career goals. Lisa also shares how to tell your story in a way that invites the listener into a real conversation. About Our Guest: If there's a job out there, Lisa Lewis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamlewis/) has probably done it. Lisa is a career change coach and the CEO of Lisa Lewis Careers (https://lisalewiscareers.com/). She’s also one of only seven coaches in the world trained and certified in the Pivot Method. Resources in This Episode: For more information on working with Lisa to map out career transitions of your own, visit lisalewiscareers.com/macslist. Your presence online is critical in order for employers to find you. Learn how to use your social media to make a favorable impression by enrolling in our free online course, How to Wow and Woo Employers Online (https://macslist.teachable.com/p/impress-employers-online/?src=podcast). From our Sponsor: The City of Portland is one of Oregon’s largest employers, and the organization responsible for keeping the city thriving is currently hiring. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re returning to work after a long break, you need to prepare long before you start looking for that perfect job. Volunteering in your community is a great way to grow professionally while maintaining your skill set. You also have a chance to meet others who share your interests and values. Find Your Dream Job guest Anneliese Davis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneliesedavis/) shares how she used volunteer work to not only keep her skills sharp but to decide what type of career she wanted. Anneliese tells us that approaching her job search with curiosity allowed her to switch careers and find a job she loves. Learn more about Anneliese’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories) series. What do you do for a career? Who do you work for? I’m the part-time executive director (and first staff member!) for Rahab’s Sisters (http://rahabs-sisters.org/), a 14-year-old organization providing radical hospitality to marginalized women every Friday night on SE 82nd. We offer a homemade meal and hygiene supplies, but the real story of Rahab’s Sisters is the community our guests and volunteers build together. How long did it take you to find this job? My daughter started kindergarten in 2016, so I began to think about going back into the workforce. I kept an eye on what was out there, talked to a few folks, applied for a job or two, but couldn’t seem to get excited about anything until I saw the Rahab’s Sisters posting in April; I started in June. How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most? I can honestly say I always skim Mac’s List, even when I’m not actively looking for a job. It has given me a good overview of Portland’s nonprofit sector and I learn about a lot of different organizations. This is the first time I have ever found a position from a job posting and not via my network, so it was different to introduce myself to people who knew nothing about me. I spent a lot of time on my resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile, though, I felt like I was able to accurately represent my skills, experience and values. What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge? I moved to Portland in 2013 and decided to be a full-time parent, so the last paid job on my resume was a few years back and in another city. I had been doing a lot of volunteer work here, though, and I decided to list my volunteer leadership roles on my resume (https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-include-volunteer-work-on-your-resume-2063297) in the same way as all my paid positions under the heading “Experience” with dates, key responsibilities and accomplishments. I made it clear I was a volunteer, of course, but it demonstrated that I was an active part of the Portland community. What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job seekers? After I spent an evening volunteering with Rahab’s Sisters, I knew I really wanted this job. So the next day, I wrote a letter to the board sharing what that experience had been like for me and how much I wanted to be part of this work. It felt vulnerable to put myself out there like that and after I hit “send” I wondered how I would be perceived. But I knew if I wasn’t selected for the job, my disappointment would be compounded if I didn’t feel I had given it my all. What have you got to lose if you really go for it? Why do you love your job? I knew I would enjoy the intellectual challenge of building out an organization that has been doing good work for a long time. But the real joy and learning for me has been coming to know our community of mainstream and marginalized women. My heart is broken open a million times a night, and I am in awe of our guests’ resilience and our volunteers’ love and dedication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New college graduates often struggle with networking. They may feel that they have nothing to offer or that they’re wasting time with informational interviews. But good networking leads to career success. Find Your Dream Job guest Shawn Lipton says that the best networkers have a methodical approach to meeting and staying in touch with people. They also network even when they aren’t looking for a job. Shawn tells us why most professionals actually want to meet with new graduates and how to make that initial contact. About Our Guest: Shawn Lipton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnlipton/) is a certified master coach. His company, The Trusted Coach (http://thetrustedcoach.com/), has helped thousands of professionals land jobs and develop careers. Shawn also is the author of “50 Proven Networking Tips for Career Development Success” and two other books. Resources in This Episode: Shawn offers strategies on developing your career and landing your ideal job. Find out more at The Trusted Coach (http://thetrustedcoach.com/?section=home). 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). From our Sponsor: The City of Portland is one of Oregon’s largest employers, and the organization responsible for keeping the city thriving is currently hiring. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov to learn more   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it ever a good idea to apply for a job when you are overqualified? Perhaps you’ve moved to a new city or you’re trying to get a job at your dream company, and you’re considering taking a smaller role to get your foot in the door. Find Your Dream Job guest Phiona Martin says you can get hired for a job where you're overqualified, but you must be able to answer a hiring manager’s specific concerns about hiring you. Phiona shares the most common questions you will be asked, how to give genuine answers, along with tips on preparing for your interview and writing a great cover letter. About Our Guest: Phiona Martin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phiona-martin/) is a registered industrial psychologist. Her work focuses on careers, talent, and leadership. Phiona's key experience has been in the consulting, education and corporate environments. As a thought leadership enthusiast, she provides expert opinions on career development on many media platforms, including her own career advice website. Resources in This Episode: Phiona is passionate about career and professional development. She shares helpful content for standing out in the workplace on her website, phionamartin.com. If you’re struggling with how to craft a compelling cover letter, we’ve got a free guide that can help. Download Simple Rules for a Winning Cover Letter (http://www.macslist.org/coverletter). From our Sponsor: Sneaker School is an online certificate program that lets you explore career paths in the footwear industry and learn from some of the biggest names in the business. Visit sneakerschool.com/mac to start mapping your career in the sneaker world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you spend most of your time during a job search filling out online applications and responding to job board listings, you may want to consider more active strategies such as informational interviews with targeted employers. Find Your Dream Job guest, Lesa Edwards, says that you need both active and passive strategies for your job hunt. Lesa also shares how to organize your time, based on where you are in your career, in order to make the most of both strategies. There is no wrong strategy; it’s simply a matter of what will get you the job of your dreams faster and easier. About Our Guest: Lesa Edwards (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesacareercoach/) is the CEO of Exclusive Career Coaching. She’s an expert in career management and job search strategies. She also hosts the weekly podcast, The Exclusive Career Coach. Previously, Lesa was director of university career centers in Georgia and Missouri. Lesa has a master’s in public administration from Columbus State University and a bachelor’s in music education from Florida State University. Resources in This Episode: Lesa’s website, Exclusive Career Coaching (https://www.exclusivecareercoaching.com/), offers high-achieving college graduates the help they need to get the job they want. Do you find yourself applying for any job that you think you could do? Before you send out your next application, stop chasing every lead and get clear about your own goals. Our free guide, Finding Focus in Your Job Search (http://www.macslist.org/focus), can help. From our Sponsor: Sneaker School is an online certificate program that lets you explore career paths in the footwear industry and learn from some of the biggest names in the business. Visit sneakerschool.com/mac to start mapping your career in the sneaker world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the digital age, nurturing our human relationships matter more than ever. This also applies to your job search! Informational interviews are a great way to begin building those relationships and to develop your network. Find Your Dream Job guest Colby Reade says that you need to think of informational interviews like a business meeting. You should go into them with a clear goal, a set of specific questions to ask, and a plan for following up. These conversations can not only help you in your job search; they can create a network that can help your career for years to come. About Our Guest: Colby Reade's day job has been all about communication (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbyreade/). He first built a career in journalism before launching a second career in public relations. Colby also works as a career coach and advisor. He helps professionals find and thrive in careers they love. He shares advice every week on his own podcast, Coffee with Colby (http://coffeewithcolby.buzzsprout.com/). Resources in This Episode: On his podcast, Coffee with Colby (http://coffeewithcolby.buzzsprout.com/), Colby shares his own experience and research in the field of professional development, to help listeners feel more prepared to face workplace challenges. If you wish you had more podcasts like this one to listen to, I have good news for you: there are dozens of great business podcasts out there. But they can be hard to find if you don’t already know about them. That’s why I created the Top Career Podcast Guide (https://www.macslist.org/top-career-podcast-guide-2018). From our sponsor: Sneaker School is an online certificate program that lets you explore career paths in the footwear industry and learn from some of the biggest names in the business. Visit sneakerschool.com/mac to start mapping your career in the sneaker world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When changing jobs or career paths, many people send out dozens of resumes, hoping that at least a few of them will result in an interview. If they’re lucky, they might even get a job offer. Before you send out a flood of resumes, however, you need to take some time to figure out your transferable skills and what you can offer to a company. Then use your network to discover jobs that may not have been posted or publicized. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Benny Kuo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennykuo/) and I talk about how he used his connections to find his current job. We also discuss why having an undergrad degree in an unrelated field may actually be helpful on your job hunt. Learn more about Benny’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories) series.   What do you do for a career? Who do you work for? I work in the high tech sector as a product marketing manager for CRU, Inc (https://www.cru-inc.com/). I develop strategies for our business to grow and define the customer segments, research companies & markets, coordinate trade show events, and formulate strategies for product offerings to grow or create markets. How long did it take you to find this job? I started my job hunt about six months before graduation. My interview process with CRU took about two weeks, and I started at CRU a month after graduation. How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most? This was a hidden job! CRU connected with my school’s career center for a different position in the same department. I asked the professor that helped advertise this job if he could connect us. I sent in a cover letter and resume speaking to my experiences for that particular job and also what my latest work experiences exposed me to. This led to a discussion about expanding the position to fill other needs too. Overall, I used Mac’s List, the OSU and Willamette University career boards through HandShake, and my contacts. What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge? The most difficult part of the search was feeling productive and staying engaged. Finding the balance between taking a breather and productively searching for a job was a challenge. I overcame this by breaking the job search into segments and celebrating small wins, like meeting with the CEO of a company or learning more about a company I didn’t know much about. What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job seekers? Seek out recruiters and stay connected with your network. I worked with two recruiters a few months before graduation to understand the job market in Portland and identify what my skills were worth. It was also helpful to hear what skills trends and hot markets they had seen the prior few months, so I could start working on any skills gaps for the specific market I was entering. Why do you love your job? I love the growth opportunities at CRU. I’m already engaged in several projects and utilizing what I learned in business school. In my second month, I had already presented an analysis at an all-hands meeting including the board of directors.   Want to learn more about Benny? Connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennykuo/)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices