Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16871&preview=true)

Each of us brings unique strengths to the table, and showing what you excel at makes you stand out to employers. When it comes down to the final two candidates, the offer often goes to the person the hiring manager can clearly picture in the role. Specificity wins. So how do you get that clear on what you offer? Find Your Dream Job guest expert Shannon Bowen of Monsoon Leadership says AI can help.

Shannon shares how to use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to pull strengths and themes from your own success stories, match keywords from job postings, and sharpen your interview answers with stronger verbs, statistics, and outcomes. She also reminds listeners that AI is just a mirror. The strengths are already within you — it simply reflects back what you know best.

About Our Guest:

• Shannon Bowen is a career coach and the founder of Monsoon Leadership. 

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16852&preview=true) 

If you’ve ever been ghosted after what you thought was a great interview, you may feel confused about what went wrong. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’ve put your all into the interview only to be rejected. But Find Your Dream Job guest Shelley Piedmont says there are ways to be better prepared next time. First, focus more on the value you bring than strictly on your qualifications. Second, be a clear communicator. And finally, remember that sometimes, not being selected gives you a better chance at job fulfillment and happiness. 

About Our Guest:

Shelley Piedmont is a former recruiter and human resources director. She’s also the founder of My Career GPS.

Resources in This Episode:

• If you’re ready to find a job you love, Shelley can help. Learn more by visiting her website at My Career GPS

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16841&preview=true) 

Looking for work right now is hard. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Mac steps into the guest seat alongside executive career strategist Gina Riley for the Intel Alumni Network's Path to Next series. Mac and Gina name what many job seekers are feeling right now. The market has tightened with fewer roles, more applicants, and easy-apply tools that leave too many qualified professionals sending out thoughtful résumés into silence.

What sets you apart is knowing the job you're after, building a short list of employers you'd love to work for, and pursuing organizations rather than openings. Mac and Gina discuss how to ask for an informational interview, why a referral carries more weight than an online application, and how to follow up when someone goes quiet without feeling like a pest. Their parting advice is: don't wait to be picked; being qualified isn’t enough in this job market.

About the Host:

• Gina Riley is an executive career strategist and the author of the book, Qualified Isn't Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Gina on LinkedIn
• Check out Gina’s book, Qualified Isn't Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.
• Check out the Intel Alumni Network.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16847&preview=true)

What does it take to thrive at work when AI keeps changing the rules? This week on Find Your Dream Job, HR leader and career coach Marguerite McAleer talks about how to future-proof your career in the age of AI. Marguerite sees AI less as a replacement and more as a tool for handling routine tasks, freeing you to focus on the work machines can't do: strategic thinking, creativity, and human relationships.

Marguerite also pulls back the curtain on what hiring looks like from her side of the desk, where a single job posting can attract more than 150 applications. She says to forget the spray-and-pray approach. Be choosy, go after roles that feel like a fit, and put your own voice back into anything AI helps you write. She explains why skills are increasingly valued over credentials, how the STAR method can help you stand out in an interview, and why anyone changing careers should lead with connection rather than an apology.

About Our Guest:

• Marguerite McAleer is an HR leader and a career coach.

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Marguerite on LinkedIn.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16818&preview=true)

Have you ever heard that to find the job of your dreams, you should follow your passion? The reality is not all passions lend themselves to a career, and not everyone has passions to follow. Instead of trying to figure out your passion so that you can be happy at work, Find Your Dream Job guest Grace Lee says it’s a better idea to pursue meaningful purpose. Stop hoping to find your perfect career; take charge of your future by digging deep into what drives you and creating your own opportunities.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Grace Lee is the founder of Mastery Insights, a coaching and education company. She is on a mission to unleash the extraordinary in the world through insightful career development, integrating neuroscience and business development principles.

Resources in This Episode:

For more insights into building your career, check out Mastery Insights.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16814&preview=true)

Networking doesn't have to feel transactional or awkward. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career counselor Leah Payne shares why the best networking happens when you follow your interests. When you show up to events and communities that matter to you, you’ll meet people who care about the same things, and genuine connections will follow.

Leah walks through helpful strategies for connecting with your community: joining professional associations, using LinkedIn's alumni search filters, and asking people in your network for referrals. In every conversation, she says to lead with curiosity, not an agenda. The relationships you build today may not pay off for months, but they can make a difference down the road.

About Our Guest:

• Leah Payne is a career counselor at Portland State University.

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Leah on LinkedIn.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16810&preview=true) 

If you’re like most people, you don’t enjoy talking about your greatest accomplishments. It can feel uncomfortable to “toot your own horn,” even when a hiring manager asks you about your skills and expertise. If you want to stand out in today’s tough job market, Find Your Dream Job guest Elizabeth Gross says you must overcome this reluctance. Elizabeth shares how to emphasize your accomplishments on your resume, as well as the best way to sell yourself on LinkedIn. 

About Our Guest:

Elizabeth Gross is the owner of Job Search Divas, where she offers a range of career-related services, including resume writing, career coaching, job search strategies, networking skills, and interview preparation.

Resources in This Episode:

• To find out more about Elizabeth and the services she offers, visit her website at www.jobsearchdivas.com. 

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16816&preview=true)

More than 120 job seekers, students, and community members gathered at the Ecotrust Building’s Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center in Portland on Thursday, May 7, for a conversation about one of the most important aspects of the job search: mentorship.

Hosted by Mac’s List and presenting sponsor Portland State University, You’re Not Alone: Using Mentorship to Pivot, Progress, and Land Your Next Job featured a panel of career coaches, HR leaders, and executives. Here is a recording of that event.

About Our Guests:

• ​Gina Riley, Executive Career Coach, Gina Riley Consulting
• ​Ed Johnson, Chief Executive Officer – Community Health Centers at OHSU and Board Member of PSU Foundation
• ​Tia B. Coachman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Affirma Consultancy

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16807&preview=true)

Referrals matter in hiring, and professional associations are one of the best places to build them. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, Mac talks with career coach and former recruiter Cheryl Ferguson about how to find the right association, ease first-meeting nerves, and make meaningful connections.

Cheryl also explains why volunteering and speaking can put you on a hiring manager's radar before a job opens up and why the biggest mistake people make is showing up only when they need a job. Cheryl says show up consistently, share your knowledge, and enjoy yourself.

About Our Guest:

• Cheryl Ferguson is a coach who works with people who want a better career. Previously, Cheryl was a recruiter for more than 25 years.

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn.

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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16773&preview=true) 

What do you say when a hiring manager asks you why you’re looking for a new job? If this question makes you feel defensive, Find Your Dream Job guest Susan Peppercorn says you need to find a way to put a positive spin on your answer, even if the truth is that you were fired or laid off. Hiring managers understand difficult situations, so don’t be afraid to be honest, while not spewing negativity toward a former employer. Susan advises focusing on what you bring to the table and why you’re interested in working with that company.

About Our Guest:

Susan Peppercorn is a coach, writer, and speaker. She's passionate about helping people move from surviving to thriving in their careers. Susan is the author of the bestselling "Ditch Your Inner Critic At Work: Evidence-Based Strategies To Thrive In Your Career."

Resources in This Episode:

• Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.

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