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

Your mindset not only affects how you see yourself, but it also affects how others see you. However, mindset is often confused with goals. Find Your Dream Job guest Angela Yeh explains that mindset is having a healthy awareness of your strengths, weaknesses, and what type of situations you thrive in. A healthy mindset about yourself, your career, and your abilities allows you to clearly identify what opportunities might be right for you. Angela also shares the importance of leaving behind limiting beliefs and adopting a growth mindset to successfully navigate a career pivot. 

About Our Guest:

Angela Yeh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaeyeh/) is the founder of two businesses: Yeh IDeology (https://www.yehideology.com/), a design recruitment firm, and Thrive by Design (http://www.thrivebydesign.today/), an executive coaching program. Through her work, Angela helps professionals navigate, curate, and sustain a successful path to accomplishing their goals. 

Resources in This Episode:

• Find more information on Angela’s executive coaching program at thrivebydesign.today. 
• Angela’s firm, Yeh Ideology (https://www.yehideology.com/), provides services for employers and design professionals. 
• Your presence online is critical in order for employers to find you. Learn how to use your social media to make a favorable impression by enrolling in our free online course, How to Wow and Woo Employers Online (https://macslist.teachable.com/p/impress-employers-online/?src=podcast).

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If you’re considering enlisting a staffing agency to help you find your next job, you need to understand exactly how they work. Find Your Dream Job guests Heather Gordon and Moira Farnsworth join Mac this week to underline that recruiters are not career coaches. A recruiter works with both the job seeker and the employer, trying to find the perfect position for the job seeker and the right person for the employer. Heather and Moira also share the importance of having clear goals before reaching out to recruiters so they can help you identify the right role. 

About Our Guests:

Heather Gordon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathergordo/) is a senior recruiter and Moira Farnsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/moirafarnsworth/) is a staffing consultant at Boly:Welch (https://bolywelch.com/), a staffing agency in Portland, Oregon. With backgrounds in business development and HR, they now specialize in helping clients hire top talent and match candidates with jobs they love. 

Resources in This Episode:

• For helpful career advice articles and other recruiting and staffing services, visit Boly:Welch.com. 
• Download this free essential road map of the most important steps you can take to find success in the Portland job market. Visit macslist.org/portlandjobs. 

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Do you attend networking events but find yourself talking only to people you already know? Meetups and mixers can be awkward, especially if you’re shy or you don’t know anyone there. Find Your Dream Job guest David Burkus says you can confidently skip any event where the only purpose is a vague sense of connecting. If you do attend, David says, focus on conversations that delve into topics outside of work. And whenever possible, look for events that have a purpose, such as a charity drive or a shared activity that benefits others. 

About Our Guest:

David Burkus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/) is an author, speaker, and associate professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University. His newest book, “Friend of a Friend,” (https://davidburkus.com/books/friend-of-a-friend/) offers readers a new perspective on how to grow their networks and build key connections based on the science of human behavior. 

Resources in This Episode:

• For tips that will help you do your best work, check out David’s website at davidburkus.com.
• David’s new book, “Friend of a Friend,” (https://davidburkus.com/books/friend-of-a-friend/) helps you better take advantage of the network that’s already around you. 
• Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview Questions You Need to Know (http://www.macslist.org/questions).

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Networking is crucial, not only when you’re looking for a new job, but even before you find your first one. Your college professors can be a great resource for networking with leaders in your chosen field of study. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Liz Mead and I talk about how she used LinkedIn and her university contacts to find companies that reflected her values. Liz also shares how she began building up her list of connections at a young age and how she used those connections to get informational interviews that ultimately led to her dream job. 

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No matter who you are or what you do, eventually, you will have gaps on your resume. It’s simply unavoidable. Whether you take time off to raise a family, get laid off, or you leave a job after a short period of time, you will have to deal with gaps. Find Your Dream Job guest Chris Villanueva says that how you deal with these gaps on your resume can mean the difference between getting a callback or your resume being thrown in the trash. Chris also shares how to positively reframe resume gaps and set yourself up for job search success.

About Our Guest:

Chris Villanueva (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-villanueva-cprw/) is the founder and CEO of Let's Eat, Grandma (https://www.letseatgrandma.com/). It’s a professional writing service for resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Chris is also a certified professional resume writer. And he’s the host of the Career Warrior podcast (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/career-warrior-podcast-lets-eat-grandma-ySov5k89Q-a/).

Resources in This Episode:

• If you want your resume to stand out from the rest, you can find out more about Chris’s resume services by visiting his website at letseatgrandma.com.

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Recruiters receive dozens of cover letters and resumes every day. How can you increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters online and receive more job offers? Find Your Dream Job guest Blake Thiess offers a specific set of strategies. In order to get noticed online, Blake says you need to engage with recruiters in your chosen industry often enough to be recognized. Blake also shares the types of content you need to be posting online on a regular basis.

About Our Guest:

Blake Thiess (https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakethiess/) is the director of talent acquisition for Prestige Care. It’s a skilled nursing and senior care company with more than 85 locations in eight states. He’s passionate about training and development and all things recruiting, human resources, and job seeking.

Resources in This Episode:

• If you’d like to know more about employment opportunities at Prestige Care, visit their website at prestigecare.com/careers.
• Your presence online is critical in order for employers to find you. Learn how to use your social media to make a favorable impression by enrolling in our free online course, How to Wow and Woo Employers Online (https://macslist.teachable.com/p/impress-employers-online/?src=podcast).

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Switching job sectors can be challenging for any job seeker. But it's not impossible to make the switch, especially if you have a strong network of support around you. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Amy Chu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amynchu/) and I discuss how she went from a career in technology to a more fulfilling one in the nonprofit world. Amy also shares how she used networking and professional organizations within the nonprofit field to build up a significant support network that still supports her today. Learn more about Amy’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories).

I am the Data and Information Administrator for Sisters of the Road (https://sistersoftheroad.org/), a nonprofit Cafe in the Old Town neighborhood working to create systemic change that will end poverty and homelessness forever by providing accessible, nourishing meals in a safe, dignified space.

It took me about three months of active job searching to find my current job. I made it clear while I was job hunting that I was looking for meaningful work, and many people I knew in Portland suggested I apply at Sisters of the Road. Fortunately for me, they had an open position which I applied for and was invited in for an interview.

I found the job on the Sisters of the Road employment web page through word-of-mouth recommendations. I was also using Mac’s List, PDX Pipeline, LinkedIn Jobs, and recruitment agencies. Scheduling informational interviews with nonprofit professionals I found on LinkedIn helped me build a support network and learn more about the nonprofit sector.

Deciding whether moving into the nonprofit sector would be the right transition for me after working in the technology sector was tough. Job hunting in Portland is also very different from job hunting in the Bay Area. The technology sector is smaller, and the creative and nonprofit sectors are more prevalent.

I overcame this challenge by reading Mac Prichard’s book “Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond)” while cultivating a support network. The book identified job boards I had never heard of, local nonprofit networking groups, and much more. I also landed more phone and in-person interviews once I started tailoring my cover letter and resume to each position that caught my interest.

Figure out what you are looking for in your next job and request informational interviews with individuals who have similar jobs (https://www.macslist.org/networking/6-tips-next-informational-interview).

My job requires me to be the database expert, responsible for the input, tracking, and reporting of data related to revenue, as well as generating tax and gift acknowledgements. This is befitting because I enjoy working with software, analyzing data, and making sure the data is accurate. I also enjoy providing database training and support to our volunteers and staff because I like helping others learn new things.

Last but not least, I believe that working towards building authentic relationships and alleviating the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever is a worthy mission.

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Leaving your job sector for an entirely new industry can seem impossible, especially if you have been in your career for a number of years. It is possible, however, to transfer your skill set to a new sector, without having to go back for an advanced degree or specialized training.  Find Your Dream Job guest Minda Harts shares the three steps you need to take to convince a hiring manager that your current skills can easily transfer to the job you want. Minda says that the better you can articulate your career wins, the more you can set yourself up for success in a new industry.

About Our Guest:

Minda Harts (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindaharts/) is an adjunct professor at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She’s the founder of The Memo (https://www.myweeklymemo.com/), a career development company for women of color. And she’s the author of the forthcoming book, “The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table.” She also hosts the weekly career podcast, Secure The Seat (http://www.mindaharts.com/secure-the-seat).

Resources in This Episode:

• For more information on Minda’s company and the work she does, or to pre-order her upcoming book, visit her website at mindaharts.com.
• Want to learn more about the strengths you bring to work, home, and the rest of your life? Take the Clifton Strengths Assessment (https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/home/en-us/strengthsfinder).
• Do you find yourself applying for any job that you think you could do? Before you send out your next application, stop chasing every lead and get clear about your own goals. Our free guide, Finding Focus in Your Job Search (http://www.macslist.org/focus), can help.

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Tech is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, with a projected 5% growth on $4 trillion in revenue this year alone. There are many opportunities to break into the tech world, even if you have no background in technology or specialized degree. Find Your Dream Job guest Lida Tohidi says that the first step toward finding your ideal job in the tech field is figuring out the roles you are qualified for. Lida also shares why research is crucial when deciding where to apply and the importance of building relationships with fellow tech professionals and mentors.

About Our Guest:

Lida Tohidi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidatohidi/) is an experienced digital marketer, program manager, and strategic planner. She’s passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in technology companies. Lida speaks regularly at technology conferences and runs a mastermind program for women in tech.

Resources in This Episode:

• For more information on Lida’s masterminds for people wanting to break into the tech industry, visit her website at pidaar.com.
• Nail every behavioral interview question in your next interview by learning how to prepare for them. Download 100 Behavioral Interview Questions You Need to Know (http://www.macslist.org/questions).

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Employers have several main goals for their companies and one of those goals is saving money. There are several ways they do this but one of the most frustrating for job seekers is through lowball salary offers. This doesn’t mean they only have their interests in mind; they’re simply making a business decision. Find Your Dream Job guest Lisa Gates says that as a job seeker, you can be proactive by preparing for your interview, deciding ahead of time what your must-haves are, and taking the initiative to bring up salary early in the conversation.  Lisa also tells us how doing your research ahead of time gives you the information you need to ask for the salary you want.

About Our Guest:

Lisa Gates (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/lisa-gates) is a negotiation and leadership coach and co-founder of She Negotiates. Lisa helps women close wage and leadership gaps. Drawing on her work as an actor and storyteller, Lisa helps you land the job, get that raise and promotion, and hit your goals out of the park.

Resources in This Episode:

• Find more resources for negotiation and interview coaching at Lisa’s website, shenegotiates.com.
• You can find comparable salaries for your area by visiting sites such as glassdoor.com and payscale.com.
• If you wait for employers to bring up salary, you’re wasting your time and energy. My guide, How to Talk About Money in an Interview (https://www.macslist.org/cta-how-to-talk-about-money-in-an-interview), shows you how to do salary research before meeting with a hiring manager. Learn how to be more comfortable talking about money and get the tools you need to request a higher salary.

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