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

Mac Prichard, Founder of Mac’s List and co-host of Find Your Dream Job Podcast was a featured guest expert on Episode #91 of the Finance Career Launch podcast, How to Use Informational Interviews and Networking to Find the Best Jobs Because They Aren’t Posted Anywhere with Dave Mariano. In this podcast, you learn from real finance professionals and other Subject Matter Experts as they discuss Do’s, Don’ts and everything you need to get ahead. 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

Do you have a clear vision of where you want to go with your career? If not, you may be wasting precious time, as tasks related to job searches can become overwhelming. Today’s guest expert, Anna Runyan, says there are three main obstacles for job seekers searching for their dream job. They are: Time: Consider what job searching tasks can be batched to save time. Plan out priorities on a calendar. Put extra effort into networking. Fear: Job seekers may fear of applying for jobs they don’t think they are qualified for. Job seekers should surround themselves with supportive network groups such as Facebook, Masterminds, and industry forums. Job Seekers need to get over the fear of networking with people they don’t know. Direction: Figure out your ideal career fit. i. Look at your previous career experiences. ii. Make a list of things you love doing, and things you do not want to do. Determine your ideal work day, and then map it out. Pro Tip — Informational interviews with people already working in the field you want to work in, can help you determine the next steps of your job search. Anna Runyan Bio Anna Runyan is the founder of Classy Career Girl, named by Forbes as one of the 35 most influential career sites of 2014.  She helps women design and launch their dream careers, businesses, and lives. Previously, Anna worked for Booz Allen Hamilton and was a professor of management at DeVry University. Anna is excited to be working on her new membership site, Love Your Career Formula. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is the Harvard Business Review. It reads as an academic business journal but has a cornucopia of interesting and useful articles. You can read up to four articles a day without a subscription. There is a lot of valuable organizational management information on this site. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Jenna, Ben, and Mac offer advice to Julie Williams, who asks today’s Listener Question, “What is appropriate attire to wear to an interview in the Pacific Northwest?” Julie attended the Career Change Communications networking event put on by Mac’s List and the Oregon School of Journalism. If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her 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 (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

Have you sent out 50 resumes, only to get 50 emails from automated system replies? If so, your resume might not have what it takes to get the attention of the hiring manager. Pete Mockaitis says the main reason resumes are ignored is because job seekers don’t put in the proper time, effort, or consideration into these vital documents. Often, people send out the same resume for each job opportunity. To truly enhance your resume, Pete says you need to spend the necessary time to hone your story message, to match exactly what a potential employer is looking for. Helpful guidelines to follow when overhauling your resume: Move away from listing previous responsibilities and showcase your achievements. Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages. Bullet points should share results first and then relay how the result was obtained. If you’ve got it flaunt it, a resume is no place to be shy. Remove the objective. A two-page resume is acceptable if you are seeking an executive position. A resume should be in chronological format unless you are recently out of school, if so, a functional format may highlight your talents efficiently. Pro Tip — Recruiters may have a specific profile in mind when they are filling a position so make sure your resume fits that profile. Pete Mockaitis Bio Pete Mockaitis is an award-winning trainer who has served clients in over 50 countries. His work has enhanced Fortune 100 corporations, high-growth startups, and major nonprofits. He began his career at acclaimed consulting firms The Bridgespan Group and Bain & Company. Pete is also the host of the podcast, How to Be Awesome at Your Job, and the author of the book, Team Up: Becoming Accountable to Your Dreams. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is "Searching for Work in the Digital Era," from the Pew Research Center for Internet, Science and Technology. There are three trends highlighted by the report, and they are, the Internet is the primary form of research for job seekers, mobile phones are the primary job search tool, and social media is a growing research resource for finding jobs. The report is supported by quantifiable data. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Jenna offers her advice to listener Brett Williams, who asks: “How do you learn the typical salary local employers pay in your field?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her 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 (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

What is your light-up, crazy, talk about it for hours passion? Does your dream job consist of you getting paid to do it every day? If so, Mac’s List Community Manager, Jenna Forstrom shares three very important questions to help you figure out what your passions are in the new Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. A book that allows you to get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs that never get posted, ace your next job interview, negotiate the salary and benefits you’ve earned and take charge of your career now and into the future. Jenna is passionate about her job. She is fascinated by how technology changes consumer behavior and how social media can be used as a storytelling tool. These things may not compare to drinking craft beer, serving the homeless or her dog, Bullet but the reality is Jenna gets to help people find their dream job using the technology and social media she is passionate about. If you enjoyed this excerpt from Land Your Dream Job Anywhere, sign up to get the first chapter for free and early bird access to it on February 1st, 2017. 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

Did you just spill your coffee all down the front of your shirt? Or, did you forget to turn the ringer off your phone before the interview started? Today’s guest expert, Dan Miller says the good thing about interview fails is that they are easily remedied. The number one thing Dan sees in interviewees, which hurt their chances at a position, is a lack of enthusiasm and energy. He says job seekers who want to show their enthusiasm should: Walk briskly Sit up straight Speak from their diaphragm Convey a lot of energy These actions show the interviewer that you have something to offer, and as an employee, you are someone who will do more than expected. If you are an introvert, you don’t need to change who you are naturally, but show a lot of energy during a job interview. Dan says job seekers should be prepared with a two-minute answer to the 20 most common interview questions. Interviewers want to know how a job candidate will handle a conflict or how they go about solving a problem. So, candidates should also prepare for a few behavioral questions. An interview is a time set aside by a company to see if a job candidate is right for their organization. On the flip side, an interview is a time set aside by a job seeker to see if a particular company is right for them. Interview Do’s and Don’ts: Do ask the interviewer about the company at the end of the interview. Don’t ask about the compensation for the job too quickly. Do send a thank you as a follow-up immediately after the interview. Do make yourself more memorable with a handwritten follow-up. Do bring every ounce of enthusiasm you can muster to the interview. Pro Tip — Preparation matters! Know the company’s mission statement and at least one thing about the person handling your interview before the interview starts. Dan Miller Bio Dan Miller is President of 48 Days a company that specializes in creative thinking for increased personal and business success. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, 48 Days To The Work You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays and Wisdom Meets Passion. Dan has been a featured guest on CBS’s The Early Show, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and the Dave Ramsey Show.  Dan will soon be introducing a seminar to accompany his book, 48 Days. Get a free copy of Dan’s 48 Days Goal Setting Workbook for 2017. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is a social media site specifically for job seekers. Jobcase is the networking equivalent of Linkedin but for people who are unemployed. It is a community for people who are looking for work. The forums are moderated by guest experts who are able to answer tough job-search-related questions. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Today’s question comes from Rachael Smith, who asks, “How long should I wait before following up with an employer after an interview?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her 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 (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

After you have fully processed what happened, your next step is to look at your budget to find your unnecessary expenses. Pull out large recurring expenses that may provide you enjoyment, but aren’t providing any tangible benefits. A cable bill is a good example of this. Every dollar you have saved becomes important if you are unsure of how long you will be without work. Other expenses which should be cut are things you can make at home for a lesser cost, such as coffees and meals. Your financial accounts should be used in the following order: Checking — Use this fluid money first. Savings — Banks pay little to no interest in these accounts. Stocks — Sell off stocks if they are outside of a retirement account. 401K/IRA — Use this option only as a last resort. Do you have student loans? Eric says no matter which type of student loan you have, federal or private, you should notify the lending institution that holds your loan. Many times, during hardships these institutions offer deferments, which lower your monthly loan payments, but the company continues to earn interest on the balance. Ignoring health care coverage is a big no-no. In fact, under the Affordable Care Act, it is a requirement for individuals to have current health care coverage. Your previous employer is bound to offer you COBRA, which will allow you to keep your current level of coverage, but you must pay the employer’s previous contribution amount. If you do not have enough money saved to last for at least 6-months consider a part-time job to make ends meet or to avoid going into debt. Pro Tip — If you do spend money during unemployment, invest in something which will help you to get your next job! Eric Rosenberg Bio Eric Rosenberg is a finance writer who publishes the Personal Profitability Blog and the Personal Profitability Podcast. He has helped countless people clean up and fix their finances. Eric is proud to announce he has finally broken through the $10K a month threshold through his side business!  Find him on Twitter @EricProfits. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The site allows job seekers to search through 575 different professions. It includes a comprehensive job review, job requirements, and a job feasibility outlook through 2024. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Today’s question comes from Dennis Mace, who asks, “How can I best utilize the Mac’s List website?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her 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 (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

Do you have what it takes to turn your entrepreneurial spirit into a small business? If you can answer yes to just one of three questions you are probably ready to go out on your own. It doesn’t matter if you come from a family of entrepreneurs or if you have been a full-time employee for your entire career. If you know how to run successful projects and want to make every day meaningful and leave the office with a deep level of satisfaction. You may be ready to branch out and start your own business. Mac Prichard of Prichard Communications and Mac’s List shares his personal story and the resources he used to develop and grow two successful businesses. He had never thought of himself as a small business owner before launching Prichard communications but he was confident about his skill set and the work sounded exciting. Learn how Mac landed his dream job and more with the latest book from Mac's List, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere, available February 1, 2017.  Sign up for our email list to be the first to know about the book release and get a copy of the first chapter right away. Find Your Dream Job is sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere. The book is launching February 1, 2017, sign up and get the first chapter now! If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

Most people leave a job interview and are no closer to knowing if they will be offered the position than when they sent in their resume. Even if they feel the interview went well they realize they forgot to ask about the company or the next steps in the job process. Waiting for the company to call with feedback can be agonizing. Mac’s List listeners can avoid uncertainty by following the steps provided in this episode. So, what do you say when a hiring manager asks if you have any questions? Guest expert, J.T. O’Donnell says to ask open-ended questions and to use the job interview to find out as much about the company as possible. If you don’t, you are missing out on an important opportunity to get to know the company better. This can help you to know you are making the right choice if a job offer appears. The employer is expecting you to ask questions about how you can serve them and how you can earn the money they would be paying you. If your first questions are about you, it can come across selfish and self-absorbed. They want you to focus on them first. Prove that you have done your homework and demonstrate you want to learn more about the company in order to build trust and respect. J.T. O’Donnell guides us through her 4C Strategy, which ultimately benefits both the job candidate and the employer. The 4 C’s and helpful open-ended question a job seeker should ask are: Connect “How did you come to work here?” “What do you like most about working here?” Corporate Culture “Who is the most successful person hired in the last year?” “Who has been the least successful person and what went wrong?” Challenges “What is the company’s biggest challenge this year?” “How can my skills help you to overcome the challenge?” Close “Is there anything about my candidacy you would change to make me a better fit for this job?” “What are the next steps in the hiring process?” Pro Tip — Hiring Managers hire based on personality, aptitude, and experience. J.T. O’Donnell Bio J.T. O’Donnell is a career strategist and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction through courses on her website, Work it Daily. She is the author of Careerrealism: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career. And with Dale Dauten, she writes the career advice column "JT & Dale Talk Jobs", a nationally syndicated career advice column, that appears in more than 130 newspapers. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is the blog post, "What Colors to Wear to a Job Interview". It includes wardrobe basics and an in-depth look at the psychology of different colors. The article states that a black suit may come across too strong, but dark blue or dark gray will leave the right impression. Check it out. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Today’s questions come from Allison Rhinechisel who asks, “When transitioning from being a college student to an employee, what investment options, insurance options, and financial benefits should be considered?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her 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 (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

Are you a person who is thinking about the question you are going to ask more than you are thinking about the person who will be answering the question? Have you considered how your question or problem sounds to the other person? Guest expert Julie Broad says “People often think about themselves when they are communicating, when they should be carefully considering what matters to the other person.” Considering what perspective the question should be framed in so it matters to the other person, can make it a very different conversation AND increase your credibility. Job seekers should know that their vocal pace, vocal tone and body language, can erode their credibility when communicating. Julie encourages job seekers to not worry so much about what they say and to focus on how they are saying it. Making a confident statement can elevate your message. If you are not sure how you are communicating, try recording your side of a business conversation, or ask a trusted colleague to critique you during a networking event. Your Cadence Matters: Talking too fast may make it difficult for people to understand you. Talking too slow may be perceived as lower intelligence. Too many filter words (ah, umm, like) may derail your credibility. The most important things about your communications are that your message comes through clearly, and you demonstrate you know what you are talking about. Listen to the podcast to find out how the company you keep, and your appearance may also affect your credibility. Pro Tip - Dress in a way that makes you feel confident! Julie Broad Bio Julie Broad is a successful entrepreneur, speaker, and workshop trainer.  Her company, Have More Influence, helps people build personal brands that get results, and move forward in their careers and businesses. She is the author of the Amazon best-seller,The New Brand You: Your New Image Makes the Sale for You, which helps people get comfortable with communicating and attract the business they want to attract. Ben’s Job Search Resource: In today’s job market, employers are not only looking at your resume but your entire online presence. Ben’s resource this week is a Mac’s List original. The completely free, 3-session online course How to Wow and Woo Employers Online details easy tips and tested tactics for making your personal brand, and getting the most out of your online and social media presence. With 87% of employers checking into you online, it is best to be prepared by using this efficient Mac’s List tool. You can also visit the Mac’s List Facebook page to see a video of our listener LinkedIn upgrades. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Today’s question comes from Susan Parson. Susan asks, “What is the current wisdom about the elevator pitch, and if you want to be authentic, is the elevator pitch still feasible?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 2017). Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Hack the Hidden Job Market Course. The course is now live, so register today but hurry because the course closes on December 1, 2016. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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

With engagement season fast approaching, the Mac's List team (Publisher, Mac Prichard; Managing Director, Ben Forstag; and Community Manager, Jenna Forstrom) sat down to talk about Bruce Hurwitz's LinkedIn post, "When interviewing for a job, lose the ring!"   This article was published on August 12, 2016, and caused a bit of media frenzy with over 1,403 comments and 1,020 shares.  Hurwitz specifically calls out women who wear large engagement rings as being "high maintenance" and thus hiring managers aren't willing to give them a job offer.  Mac Prichard makes a good point that it's illegal to make hiring decisions based on marital status.  While it's hard to prove that this is happening, chances are, if you are interviewing for a job that has some questionable hiring practices, you wouldn't want to work there anyways.  Ben chimes in that some hiring managers might see a wedding ring on a young woman's hand and assume that they are going to leave the job to raise a family or need time off for maternity leave.  Jenna adds that there are some places, like in food service, where no jewelry is allowed, in that case, it's not worth wearing a ring.  Mac continues the conversation by pointing out that visibly pregnant women also struggle finding employment for similar reasons.   Discrimination is real when it comes to job hunting, but the data points to it being more of a gender issue versus an engagement issue. What has your experience been?  Have you ever felt like wearing an engagement ring has hindered your chances of getting a job?  Leave a comment below. Find Your Dream Job is sponsored by Hack the Hidden Job Market Course. The course is now live, until November 30, 2016 so sign up today! If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing 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