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

Ageism is alive and thriving, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it stronger. If you’re an older worker looking for your next job, Find Your Dream Job guest Scott Jacobs says you must increase your self-confidence before your next interview. Scott shares how to present your experience as an asset rather than a liability and why you must get comfortable with technology if you want to be considered for a position. And finally, Scott reminds us that ageism is no excuse for not going after your dream job. About Our Guest: Scott Jacobs (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscottjacobs/)is a career coach who runs the Jacobs Strategic Group (https://jacobs-strategic.com/). Scott has helped hundreds of clients with career transitions and job searches. Resources in This Episode: Are you an older job seeker? Find out more about how Scott can help you in your job search by visiting Jacobs Strategic Group (https://jacobs-strategic.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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Too often, job seekers work to secure a position without thinking about how they will be treated within the company structure. If equity is important to you, Find Your Dream Job guest Mark Kajitani says you can do pertinent research to find out how the employer handles DEI within the company culture. Once you’re clear on which aspects of equity matter most to you, prepare relevant questions for your interview and research the company to discover how they address those issues. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you would like to see in company diversity. About Our Guest: Mark Kajitani (http://linkedin.com/in/mkajitani) is a nonprofit human resources consultant, a speaker, and the director of people and culture at Oregon Public Broadcasting (https://www.opb.org/).  Resources in This Episode: If you’d like to connect with Mark or find out more about his work at Oregon Public Broadcasting, you can find him at linkedin.com/in/mkajitani (http://linkedin.com/in/mkajitani). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever been ghosted by an employer after an interview? Perhaps you’ve even spent hours providing work samples, only to never hear a word back. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Kellie Gordon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwgpdx/) shares how ghosting and rejection impacted her job search. Kellie also tells how she used these experiences to determine the company culture she desired to work in. Learn more about Kellie’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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s easy to tell a hiring manager about the specific successes you had in past positions. What’s not so easy is describing how your strengths led to those successes. But Find Your Dream Job guest Gregory Heller says it’s crucial to explain how those successes can transfer to a new job, and you do that by addressing your strengths that made them possible. Gregory suggests getting clear on the top 3 strengths you possess and practicing sharing them in an interview. He also recommends using informational interviews to gain clarity on what the companies you’re interested in are looking for in a new hire.  About Our Guest: Gregory Heller (http://linkedin.com/in/gregoryheller) is the senior associate director of MBA career management at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington (https://foster.uw.edu/). Gregory also hosts the podcast, Conversations on Careers and Professional Life (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-on-careers-and-professional-life/id1439113603).  Resources in This Episode: Hear more from Gregory on careers and professional life by tuning into his podcast at Conversations on Careers and Professional Life (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-on-careers-and-professional-life/id1439113603). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a person of color, you face unique challenges during a job search. How do you overcome those challenges to find your dream job? Begin by knowing what elements matter most to you, says Find Your Dream Job guest María Granados. Ask about initiatives the company sponsors and any partnerships with underprivileged communities. María advises following up after interviews and having conversations with your potential team members to learn how the employer practices diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company and in the community.  About Our Guest: María Granados (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar%C3%ADa-granados-bhrm-mba-7b420ab3/) is a human resources coordinator at Reed College (https://www.reed.edu/) and a graduate of Portland State University.  Resources in This Episode: Learn more about Reed College and how they are leveling the hiring field through equity, diversity, and inclusion by visiting www.reed.edu/ (http://www.reed.edu/). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It might seem like changing jobs is the only way to get what you want out of your career. But what if staying in your current position could be more profitable? It can, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Bethany Mills. Bethany says there are many reasons to stay where you are, including acquiring new skills, moving up the company ladder, and starting new initiatives. Switching jobs also requires energy that might be better spent at your current job, where you can continue to develop relationships to increase your networking power later.  About Our Guest: Bethany Mills (http://linkedin.com/in/bethanybmills) is the executive director of the Mississippi State University Career Center (https://www.career.msstate.edu/). Resources in This Episode: Learn more about how the Career Center at Mississippi State is creating futures by visiting www.career.msstate.edu/ (http://www.career.msstate.edu/). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Preparation should be your number one priority when searching for your next job. But how do you prepare well for a job search? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Jessica Ventura (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicanventura/) shares how she prepared for the interview process by gathering specific questions for her potential employer. Jessica also talks about how to leverage networking to learn more about the needs and opportunities in the position you’re applying for. Learn more about Jessica’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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you aren’t clear about what you want in a job, you may find yourself unhappy and unfulfilled at work. If you’re unsure how to state your wants and needs in an interview, Find Your Dream Job guest Leah Gagliano says to begin with your core values. Talk about how those core values make you a better employee and how they will benefit the company. Leah also suggests practicing beforehand so that you go in with confidence. And finally, relate your values to the solutions you can provide for the employer.  About Our Guest: Leah Gagliano (http://linkedin.com/in/leah-gagliano) is the human resources director at Community Vision (https://cvision.org/). It’s a nonprofit that provides services, education, and advocacy for people with disabilities. Resources in This Episode: To learn more about Community Vision and how you can get involved with their mission, visit cvision.org/ (https://cvision.org/). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Government jobs are plentiful, but there are fewer candidates than ever before. If you’ve wondered if you should apply for your local government, Find Your Dream Job guest Anna Morgan says the answer is yes. Working for your local government is a fantastic way to get involved in your community, and the opportunities for career growth are high. Local governments usually offer excellent benefits as well, according to Anna. Attending job fairs and networking with recruiters can help you find your next job in your local government. About Our Guest: Anna Morgan (http://linkedin.com/in/annabmorgan) is a senior recruiter at the City of Portland (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/).  Resources in This Episode: Learn more about open positions and the free trainings offered by the City of Portland by visiting www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs (http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs). 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this job seeker’s market, you don’t usually need 100% of the qualifications to apply for your dream job. What you need is clarity on what you want, a resume with relevant experience, and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone, says Find Your Dream Job guest Gillian Williams. Gillian reminds us that even if you faced rejection previously, it only takes one “yes” to change your life. Networking, courage, and transparency are what it takes to get your foot in the door when you don’t meet all the exact qualifications in a job posting. About Our Guest: Gillian Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankatewilliams/) is the president and founder of Monday Talent (https://www.monday-talent.com/), a national recruitment firm.  Resources in This Episode: If you’re ready to work with a recruiter who is invested in your career journey, Gillian is ready to help you. Find out more by visiting Monday Talent (https://www.monday-talent.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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.