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

Manners still count in the modern workplace. Whether you know it or not, the things you do - and don’t do - make a big impression on your boss, your interviewer, or your colleagues. Guest expert Lee Caraher shares essential reminders to make a great impression, and avoid disaster, by staying aware of basic etiquette in work environments. Our Guest for This Episode: Lee Caraher Lee Caraher is the CEO of Double Forte, a public relations and digital marketing firm. Her company works with top consumer and technology brands. Lee is the author of Millennials & Management, which shares how to get an intergenerational workforce to contribute to the larger goals of an organization. And her new book, The Boomerang Principle, shows companies how to build long lasting relationships with employees. Check out Lee’s books here. Ben’s Job Search Resource: How to Apologize Made a Mistake? 5 Steps to Saying "I'm Sorry" Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Salary In the Interview This week’s question comes from Sue Crawford, of Corvallis, Oregon: “I've come across several hiring employers who start the process with the question, "What are your salary requirements?". How do you address this? It seems like if you put a high number you will be cut immediately, and if you put a low number, you are selling yourself short and potentially leaving money on the table. What to do??” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, the Mac’s List team discusses a New York Times article, The Utter Uselessness of Job Interviews, which highlighted the flawed nature of using job interviews to make big hiring decisions. Surveys revealed inherent biases and blind spots for hiring managers in the interview process. So, if job interviews are useless, what’s a job seeker to do? It’s important to remember that an interview is only one part of a multi-stage hiring system, including the initial application process, background and reference checks. So what can you do to do well in a flawed interview system? Do structured research about issues the company may be facing. If possible, build relationships with employees of the company before your interview. Be proactive and fill in the gaps about important items not addressed by the interviewer. Recognize the interview process is imperfect and don’t take it personally if you don’t get the position. Learn more at macslist.org/podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, guest expert Mandi Woodruff highlights the common mistakes she sees during a hiring process, illuminating innovative ways that job seekers can impress hiring managers and secure an interview from the first interaction. Our Guest for This Episode: Mandi Woodruff Mandi Woodruff is the cohost of Brown Ambition, a top 20 career and money podcast. She is also executive editor of Magnify Money, and has spent her career covering the ins and out of personal finance. Previously, Mandi served as a correspondent at Yahoo Finance and editor at Business Insider. She is a graduate of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Opposite Jobs What is your opposite job? Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Salary Answers This week’s question comes from listener Leah Pancheri in Portland, Oregon. “Oftentimes jobs will have a salary posted, but then they will ask either on the application or in the interview about salary "requirements" or ‘expectations’... how do we best answer this question when we clearly know what they posted? What if we feel we are worth a little more, or that the job sounds like it's worth paying a little more after the interview? I'd love some suggestions/insight on the most tactful and respectful way to answer the question.” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big risks can deliver big rewards for your career, whether it’s switching industries or asking for more money. While change is scary, it’s worthwhile to take smart risks in your career if you have a goal in mind. Joymarie Parker says you should be taking risks in your career, but only when you’ve done your research and have a solid plan. One risk you should definitely take: ask for more money when you know you’re worth it. Joymarie Our Guest for This Episode: Joymarie Parker Joymarie Parker is a marketer and the founder and co-host of Joblogues, a podcast and platform that offers candid career conversations with multicultural professionals and entrepreneurs. Originally from Maryland, Joymarie now lives in Brooklyn where you can catch her exploring the restaurant scene or planning her next vacation. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Are Pain Letters Over? Are pain letters on the way out? A pain letter is a different approach to a cover letter that addresses the employer’s pain point and outlines how the applicant can solve it. But Alison Green of the Ask a Manager blog says the pain letter is a “cover letter but with lots of added salesiness and a serious dose of presumption.” Read the whole post: Do Pain Letters Really Work? Find Your Dream Job Listener Question This week’s listener question comes from McKenzie O’Malley of Portland, Oregon, via email. “I would love to explore the possibility of potentially working at Under Armour’s recently established Portland-based office in some kind of administrative role (of which I have 3+ years of experience, primarily in nonprofit settings), but do not have any direct contacts or even potential connections via LinkedIn.  I was wondering if you had any additional advice, insights, or individuals in mind that I could possibly connect with to see if I could even get a small foot in the door with the company.” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn Rasmussen, President of Pathfinder Careers shares her contribution to Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. How effective is networking? If you apply for a job online you have a 2% chance of getting an interview. If you apply through someone you know you have a 50% chance of getting an interview. Direct networking is that impactful. Are you thinking, “but I’m not a type ‘A’ networker. How do I practice?" You should be proactive and put yourself out there by: Growing an informal connection with someone through continued follow-up. Taking the fear out of talking with unknown people by making them a known quantity. Getting involved or volunteering with a business or organization that interests you. Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're considering a career change, play to your strengths. Highlight what you’re already good at - those skills that will help you contribute right away - and show people that you’re willing to learn the rest! Guest expert Danna Redmond encourages career changers to create a plan, but also be open to opportunities that come up naturally over time. It’s important to be ready to go into something new without every step clearly outlined. Start with a couple best practices: Network! Let people know you’re interested in a new career path, and ask questions. Assess your skillset. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into your existing area of expertise. Think about the skills that make you an expert, and ask how you can apply those in other areas. Our Guest for This Episode: Danna Redmond Danna Redmond is hosts the podcast, The Career Cue. She has a passion for helping people turn career goals and dreams into reality. Danna is an accomplished business leader. She worked for almost 20 years for Fortune 50 Companies. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Career Change Tips Did you know that 93% of people who wanted to change roles ended up leaving their current employer to do so? Check out this research from Gallup: When Making Career Moves, Americans Switch Companies. And if you want to switch careers without switching companies, read the tips from Forbes in Career Change By Staying Put: How To Make A Lateral Move Within The Same Company. Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Taking a Pay Cut? This week’s question is perfect for the subject of today’s episode. It comes from Nick Macchio of Holtsville, New York: “I listen to a lot of career podcasts and read a lot of articles and the one thing that's always missing is: how do you make that career change/pivot when you're established and have a family to support but can't afford a pay cut. I think that's one of the biggest challenges. It's actually the ONE thing that prevents me from switching careers in hopes of finding work I enjoy.” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people take breaks during their career. People take breaks for childcare, elder care, travel, health, and more. When you’re ready to return after a multi-year break from work, it can be hard to make a plan to relaunch your career. The first step is to figure out what you want, according to career expert Carol Fishman Cohen. “From there,” she says, “everything else flows.” In this episode, Carol shares her personal experience with relaunching her career, and gives advice for job seekers who need a plan to reenter the workforce. One great tactic is to use strategic volunteering to beef up your recent experience. Carol shared a few resources to find opportunities, including Idealist and Catchafire. Our Guest for This Episode: Carol Fishman Cohen Carol Fishman Cohen is the CEO and co-founder of iRelaunch, a pioneering company in the career reentry space. She contributes regularly to the Harvard Business Review and her TED talk on relaunching has been viewed over 1.5 million times. Carol also hosts the 3,2,1 iRelaunch podcast. Ben’s Job Search Resource: How to Volunteer Abroad Volunteering abroad isn’t just for church youth groups and just-out-of-college peace corp cadets. There are a lot of opportunities for people with professional level skills to make a difference through volunteer work. You can use the education, training and experience you have to help people where such skills are less common. Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Seasonal Jobs This week’s question comes from Wendy Lynn of Talent, Oregon. “I'm wondering to what extent job openings are seasonal? Are there better or worse times to look for a job?” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A career in the public sector can be incredibly rewarding. But government hiring processes from the local level to the federal level are often complicated and outright byzantine. This podcast listener exclusive bonus episode features Kirsten Wyatt, co-founder of Engaging Local Government Leaders, reading her contribution to Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a lot to learn when you’re a young professional just getting started in your career. Blogger Kayla Buell wrote the book on climbing the corporate ladder during your early career, and she joined the podcast this week to share her advice for young workers. The key for professionals in their 20s is to show their boss that they’re ready to learn, willing to work hard, and answerable for the work at hand. Don’t be over-confident: Ask questions and offer help to your older colleagues. It’s up to you to reach out and get to know your new co-workers. Be willing to take on menial tasks for the good of the team. You’ve got to prove you’re not too proud to get coffee and make copies early in your career; it will show your boss you’re a responsible team player. Do speak up: Communicate with your teammates about your work. Let them know what you’re doing and that you’re delivering on promises. If you’re not feeling challenged, look for avenues to offer help. Once you’ve earned trust, it’s OK to tell your boss you’re ready to take on more responsibility. Our Guest for This Episode: Kayla Buell Kayla Buell publishes Gen Y Girl, a career and lifestyle blog for millennials. She is passionate about helping people in their 20s learn how to have thriving careers. Kayla is the author of Corporate Survival Guide For Your Twenties. And she uses her writing and social media skills at an advertising agency in Florida. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Cover Love Letters Need inspiration for your next cover letter? Ben has you covered with 12 Great Cover Letter Examples for 2017. No matter where you are in your career, The Interview Guys share a dozen unique examples to help you write a more effective cover letter. Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: The DIY Career Coach The Mac’s List team answers a question listener Lori Bonante, from Washington, D.C.: “I’m interested in finding a career coach but I’m finding them all to be very expensive and it’s something right now that I just can’t seem to afford. So what I want to know is, what are your suggestions for doing similar things that you would get from a career coach that you can do on your own.” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you submit a job application, you could be up against hundreds or even thousands of others. It’s hard to stand out in the crowd, but there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting an interview. This week’s guest expert is Jenn Swanson. Jenn reminded us of simple mistakes that can sink your job application: if you missed key details, didn’t follow instructions, or submitted your attachments in the wrong format. There are many reasons you didn’t get an interview. The top two: You’re just not qualified. You didn’t customize your resume and cover letter. Jenn also shared advice for applicants to figure out what the hiring manager really wants, how to write your resume to get through automated applicant tracking systems, and land an interview for your dream job. Our Guest for This Episode: Jenn Swanson Jenn Swanson is the host of the Communication Diva podcast and the author of What They See: How to Stand Out and Shine in Your New Job. Through her podcast, online courses, coaching, and book, Jenn helps you get the job, love your work, and  advance your career. Jenn also shared a discount for our listeners on her Resume Short Course! Get the discount here. Ben’s Job Search Resource: 41 Great Resume Formats Resume formatting is tricky. You want to show off your creativity and personality, but your resume also needs to be easy to read and scannable, both by human reviewers and applicant tracking systems. Ben recommends checking out The 41 Best Resume Templates Ever from The Muse to find resume inspiration and find a customizable template.    Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Resume Reword This week’s question comes via email from Juan Llera of Jersey City, New Jersey: “My question: do you know of any resources that you can share that can assist me in rewording my resume. I had a long career in the insurance industry and most recently with their IT department. I would like to look for a position in the non-profit organization. I would like to revise my resume from an insurance-IT to a non-profit focus.” These segments are sponsored by Mac’s new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, and ace your next interview. Get the first chapter of this useful resource free. Be a part of the Find Your Dream Job podcast! Join in: Ask your job-related question! Email it to becky@macslist.org, or leave us a message at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. Share your best job resource with our listeners! Send your resource to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. What do you think of our show? Rate and review our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices