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

Most job seekers use the same traditional approaches. To stand out from a crowd of applicants, you need to get creative! On this episode, we share experiences and ideas for unconventional job search hacks to differentiate yourself from the competition. And guest Nissar Ahamed offers unique tips to garner attention from employers when you’re looking for a new job. About Our Guest: Nissar Ahamed Nissar Ahamed publishes Career Metis, an award winning online community for job seekers. His site includes a blog, podcast, and other resources that help people get their dream job faster. Resources in this Episode: How to Make Yourself Stand Out From All the Other Perfect Resumes Will your career survive automation? Find out: Willrobotstakemyjob.com 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.

The first step to finding your dream job is understanding what activities bring you joy. Our guest is Sally Hubbard, host of Women Killing It, a podcast for women who are advancing their careers and making a difference at work. Sally advises job seekers to pay attention to joy-inducing activities to help guide what you want to do with your career. About Our Guest: Sally Hubbard Sally Hubbard is an investigative journalist, lawyer, and creator of the weekly podcast, Women Killing It! She talks to women who are killing it in their careers about what has worked for them, how they got where they are today, and what they wish they knew sooner. Resources in this Episode: 139 Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out. Do you have to include a photo in your LinkedIn profile if you’re worried about discrimination? The team weighs in on this question from listener Alison Geary of Tucson, Arizona. Sally shared the 7 Steps to Killing It Action Plan. 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.

Our guest Anita Bruzzese explains why casting a wide net is a bad job search strategy, and she shares tips to help you decide what you want to do, set priorities for your next job, and be prepared to interview every time you send in a job application. About Our Guest: Anita Bruzzese Anita Bruzzese is an award-winning journalist specializing in workplace and career issues. She has written two career-advice books and has been quoted in publications such as O, the Oprah magazine, and has been on the Today show. Learn more about Anita on her website. Resources in this Episode Anita recommended StrengthsFinder and Bureau of Labor Statistics data tools for job seekers to find focus in their careers. Here’s a great strategy to answer “Where Will You Be in Five Years?” We talk about how to answer the 5-year-goal question when your goal is to have your interviewer’s job. Thanks to listener Katie Petit of Chicago, Ill. for the question! 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.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.