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

Are you a few years into a job that no longer excites you, or worse, makes you feel unsuccessful and unfulfilled? You may be having a career identity crisis, says Find Your Dream Job guest Elaine Lou Cartas. Don’t worry; you can fix this by paying attention to what matters most to you. Ignore the “shoulds” and dive deep into your values and priorities. Elaine suggests using informational interview...

Many times, getting a job depends on who you know. If you have a strong network, your odds of finding your dream job are much higher. But what about weak ties? Those people you’ve met, but who wouldn’t be considered a close tie? They can be more helpful than you might expect, says Find Your Dream Job guest Rob Kim. Weak ties often have information that you can’t get anywhere else. Rob suggests fin...

We all know the importance of having a well-built LinkedIn page. But did you know that recruiters use LinkedIn to reach out to people who haven’t applied for jobs, but who seem to be a great fit for a position they’re looking to fill? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job , Jesse Friedman (http://linkedin.com/in/jessefriedman) tells us why (and how) he was contacted for a job he didn’t even...

Quiet quitting has been in the news recently, but are you familiar with quiet firing? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Trevor Houston, quiet firing is what happens when a company treats you poorly in hopes that you will quit rather than them firing you outright. Are you being ignored at work? Has it been a while since you got a raise? Do you tend to get the worst projects or ones that don’t...

How do you know if you should leave your current job for a new one? And how can you ensure that you won’t be just as unfulfilled in the next position? Find Your Dream Job guest Alicia Ramsdell says you begin with clarity on what your ideal position would entail. Alicia also recommends asking yourself if you’re handling the responsibilities you were hired for. And finally, ask yourself if you’re ab...

Job seekers are nervous. If you’ve had a recent interview, you can probably identify with that statement. But there is a way to see a job search as a natural process between humans and one that allows you to be yourself. Find Your Dream Job guest Mia Williams is here to share how to create a resume that uses keywords to showcase not only your relevant experience but who you are as a person. Mia al...

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 consid...

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 yo...

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 desire...

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...

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...

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 requir...

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 t...

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 yo...

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...

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. Ne...

How do you find a company where you feel connected, supported, and have a sense of pride in your accomplishments? Find Your Dream Job guest Rhodes Perry suggests identifying your values and researching potential employers to see if they share those values. Talk to current and former employees and ask specific questions about how teams function in the organization. Find out if the work environment...

Are you ready for a change in your job situation, but you aren’t getting called back after interviews? If you’re feeling discouraged with your progress, there are ways to stay positive and reach your goals. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job , Josh Belzman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbelzman/) shares how hiring a career coach took his search to the next level. Josh tells us what he did...

How do you decide whether to stay at your company or look for a position elsewhere? It all boils down to a few simple questions, according to this week’s Find Your Dream Job guest, Kelli Thompson. Do your values match those of the employer? Are you excited to get to the office every day? If not, have you discussed your needs with your boss? Kelli recommends doing what you can to change the environ...

It’s an exciting time of life; you're having a baby! But how do you make your next career move when your time and energy are about to be challenged? First, says Find Your Dream Job guest Emily Lamia, focus on the job you want. Just like any job seeker, determine your skills and the value you offer to the company you’re applying to. Next, Emily says, determine the benefits you need and pursue the p...

It might seem polite not to negotiate salary, but you are affecting your entire future when you don’t. An extra $15K per year can make a huge difference in your retirement savings, says Find Your Dream Job guest Kimberly Brown. If you need help positioning yourself to get a higher salary, Kimberly suggests starting by knowing your skillset, experience, and value. Share stories that display results...

We all dread the question, tell me about a time you made a mistake in your job. But if we can address our mistakes as simply a piece of our entire career story, we can change the feeling of shame and uncertainty we may feel. Find Your Dream Job guest Melissa Magaña says our stories make us seem more personable and attractive to hiring managers. Melissa shares how to create a narrative arc of your...

A job seeker’s market means you have more control over the process of finding your next position. Even if you don’t have 100% of the requirements a posting calls for, Find Your Dream Job guest Beth Gibbs says you should consider applying anyway. Beth shares the best way to know if a job is right for you and how to communicate your non negotiables to a hiring manager. Networking is more important t...

Have you ever considered starting your own business while still looking for your dream job? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job , Aaron Kier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkier/) shares why he continued applying for jobs even after starting his own consulting firm. Aaron also talks about how he used the power of networking not to find a job but to get better at looking for one. Learn m...

Preparing for an interview is non-negotiable; you must go in ready to answer questions about your skills, experience, and goals. But it’s even more important that you be authentic. Your resume speaks to your ability to do the job; hiring managers want to know if you’re the right fit, says Find Your Dream Job guest Danelle Robertson. The best way to accomplish that is by having a genuine conversati...