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

Building a network is essential to finding a career in today’s competitive online job market. Today, the Mac’s List team explores how to build your network strategically with guest expert Sara Holtz. Find out how to develop a strategy for expanding your network and learn why the casual approach of asking your colleague for a chat over coffee may not be the best move.

About Our Guest: Sara Holtz

Sara Holtz is passionate about helping women succeed in the workplace. Sara launched the Advice to My Younger Me podcast to serve as a "virtual mentor" to help younger women navigate a sometimes confusing workplace. In each episode, Sara and her guest, another successful women who has "been there, learned this," provide clear, practical career advice.

Sara comes to this podcast after a very accomplished career as a business lawyer, senior executive at Fortune 500 companies and as a nationally-recognized expert helping women lawyers achieve career success. She is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School.

Resources in this Episode:

• New tool: Get the book, “The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success” (https://amzn.to/2JXoPbO) by Nicholas Lore.
• Listener question: This week’s question comes from Jenna Paulson, a resident of Portland, Oregon. Jenna asks if hiring managers will knock her for being unemployed, despite it not being her fault. Her company’s unexpected downsizing is the reason for her unemployment.
• More from our guest:
• • Visit Sara’s website to check out her podcast, Advice to My Younger Me: http://tomyyounger.me/

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-holtz-688909/

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If you’re looking for a new job opportunity, you may be weighing out the possibility of taking an internship. But you shouldn’t underestimate the value of internships. Internships can unlock new opportunities, forge new relationships, and create lifelong connections. Find out how to stand out as an intern and stay connected after your internship ends with insights from career expert Kirk Baumann.

About Our Guest: Kirk Baumann

Kirk Baumann is an experienced talent acquisition leader, connecting people to their purpose. As a career and leadership expert recognized globally, Kirk has helped launch thousands of careers for young leaders and thrives on building lasting relationships. Named one of the 100 Most Social HR Experts on Twitter by The Huffington Post, Kirk is the founder and author of the award-winning career advice blog, Campus to Career. Kirks advice has been featured in Business News Daily, Mashable, and US News & World Report.

Resources in this Episode:

• New tool: “The Pay Gap Is Way Too Entrenched To Be Solved By Women Alone” (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-pay-gap-is-way-too-entrenched-to-be-solved-by-women-alone/) from Fivethirtyeight.
• Listener question: Colleen Smyth from Gresham, Oregon asks: “I know it's important to ask the hiring manager good questions in an interview. How many questions do you think is appropriate? In my last interview, I felt like I was asking too many questions and the interviewer was getting annoyed.”
• More from our guest:
• • Get Kirk’s advice on Acing the 400 Hour Interview (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/acing-400hr-interview-kirk-baumann/)
  • Read 4 Little Ways to Stand Out as Intern (https://campus-to-career.com/2017/07/25/4-little-ways-to-stand-out-as-an-intern/) From Campus to Career.
  • Visit campus-to-career.com to read Kirk’s latest blog posts.
  • Connect with Kirk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbaumann/.

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If you’re feeling disconnected from your career, it may be because you’re not following your calling. This week’s guest expert Lisa Zigarmi says following your calling is key to unlocking a successful, rewarding and happier career. Find out how to identify your calling and and how it can help your job search.

About Our Guest: Lisa Zigarmi

Lisa Zigarmi is a leadership coach and growth accelerator. She partners with executives and entrepreneurs who want to relate more deeply, decide more efficiently and think with more creativity. Lisa helps her clients build leadership capacity by applying positive psychology, leadership science, and mindfulness practices. She regularly contributes to Forbes and her corporate clients include: Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, Genentech and VMware.

Resources in this Episode:

• New tool: Use this career roadmap from Rasmussen College to plot out your motivations, interests, goals and more (http://www.rasmussen.edu/career-center/career-research-hub/what-career-is-right-for-me/) and determine the best career path for you.
• Listener question: Daniel Willis, from New York state, recently finished getting his master’s degree. But he’s realized he longer wants to pursue a career in this field. He asks how he can explain this drastic change in career direction to prospective employers.
• More from our guest:
• • Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazigarmi/

Visit Lisazigarmi.com to find out more about Lisa’s upcoming projects.

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On this bonus episode of the Find Your Dream Job podcast, I chat with Lori Aoki, physician recruiter at The Vancouver Clinic. Lori learned a lot from a year-long job search after moving to a new city. Though the search was discouraging at times, she found ways to build resilience while improving her networking strategy and her application materials. Then, when she was ready to move into a new role, her network came out to help, putting her in contact with a new organization where she gets to use the job search lessons she learned to recruit staff for The Vancouver Clinic.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I joined The Vancouver Clinic in April 2017 as a Provider Recruiter.

How long did it take you to find this job?

Not long; the job found me! The process took about three weeks from the time I heard about the job, applied, interviewed and was hired.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

A friend of mine told me about the position and recommended me to the hiring manager.  It proves to me that networking really works. It’s often who you know and not what you know that leads to success in the job market.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

When I first moved to Portland in 2013 it took me a year to find a job. I got a lot of leads from Mac’s List, I attended the networking events Mac’s List hosted, and read whatever I could about job hunting in Portland. I went on several first interviews, but didn’t have the right skill set to make it to the final round. I got a lot of practice with writing cover letters, tuning up my resume and interviewing, which was extremely valuable.

Job searching can be downright depressing when you keep getting rejection letters. I read somewhere that 25% of people who are hired end up quitting in the first year. That’s what happened in my situation: I had been a finalist for the Physician Liaison job with Adventist Health, but I wasn’t hired. I continued to check the website for openings and saw that six months after I didn’t get the job, it was posted again. I applied a second time for the same job and got hired.

I got a promotion while I was with Adventist Health that ended up not being a good fit. Once I recognized this, I put the word out to my network of colleagues and friends that I was looking for a new position and landed my current job.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Be resilient. Acknowledge that job hunting is hard. Learn from every stage of the job search process. Get support from friends and family.

Why do you love your job?

I hire people for a living and match them to their dream job. That feels really great. I’m also hiring people who are going to impact the future of my organization. It’s challenging to find the right skillset and cultural fit, but when it happens, it’s awesome.

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Mentors can make an incredible difference in your career. A mentor can make introductions, give you advice, and provide you with a trusted reference. Our guest expert this week is Marci Alboher, vice president of Encore.org. Discover why mentors matter, how to find mentors and why you should be one yourself.

About Our Guest: Marci Alboher

Marci Alboher(https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcialboher/), a Vice President at Encore.org(https://encore.org/), is one of the nation’s leading

authorities on career issues and workplace trends. A former blogger and columnist for The New York Times, her latest book is “The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life.” (https://amzn.to/2HGMg73) Marci serves on the board of directors of Girls Write Now and as a mentor editor for The OpEd Project. Marci lives in NYC, with her husband Jay and their French bulldog Sinatra.

Resources in this Episode:

• New tool: Online classroom Udacity has teamed up with Google to provide 12 free courses to job seekers across the globe. Explore the available courses:  https://blog.udacity.com/2018/06/udacity-launches-free-career-courses.html

Listener question: Madeline Johnson from Eugene, Oregon knows that it’s all about who you know but feels awkward name-dropping in an interview. We explore how to talk about your connections authentically.

More from our guest:

• Get Marci’s book:https://amzn.to/2HGMg73

Connect with Marci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcialboher/

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You may think that your most important tool for finding a new job is your resume, your cover letter or your references but that’s not the case. Our guest expert Nella Barkley shares how you can make a big difference in your job search by knowing your own skills, defining your goals and by actively advocating for yourself with clear evidence of your demonstrated achievements. Ask yourself what you can point to as impressive accomplishments and how to emphasize those achievements in the job interview.

About Our Guest: Nella Barkley

Nella Barkley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nella-gray-barkley-a405b5122/)  is the president and co-founder of the Crystal-Barkley Corporation (http://www.careerlife.com/) which helps people find their own personal career and life paths. She is a sought-after mentor, public speaker and coach. Her counsel is sought by Fortune 500 corporations, career changers, and international media.Nella is also the author of two books: “The Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career” (https://amzn.to/2Mvejdq)  and “How to Help Your Child Land the Right Job: (Without Being a Pain in the Neck).” (https://amzn.to/2ygbWrY)

Resources in this Episode:

• New Tool: If you’re introverted, don’t discount your abilities to connect with people on a deeper level. Read this guide on: “Why introverts might actually be better networkers” (https://work.qz.com/1277113/networking-events-why-introverts-might-actually-be-better-at-them/) by author David Burkas on Quartz.

 

• Listener Question: Shelly Milos from Beaverton, Oregon asks: I’ve planned and paid for a vacation with my husband this summer. I’ve also FINALLY started getting interviews and don’t know when to bring up my trip with my potential employer. When’s the best time to bring this up and still get hired?

 

 

• More from Nella Barkley: Nella’s company offers regular online seminars for professionals. Check out her Life/Work Design programs here. (https://bestworkinc.com/life-work-design/)  

 

• Visit bestworkinc.com (https://bestworkinc.com/)
• Connect with Nella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nella-gray-barkley-a405b5122/

Read Nella’s books: “The Crystal-Barkley Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career”  

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Freelance work is trending, and it doesn't have to be an exhausting, feast-or-famine career. Rethink short-term gigs by learning more about portfolio careers.

About Our Guest: Anne Pryor

Anne Pryor (https://www.linkedin.com/in/annepryor/) is a globally recognized online brand strategist and top 10 LinkedIn trainer. She helps clients stand out, get found, and make meaningful connections for great jobs and profitable business. Anne had written more than 10,000 LinkedIn profiles and trained 100,000 people. Learn more about Anne on her website, annepryor.com (https://annepryor.com/).

Resources in this Episode:

• New Tool: Shortly, even the CEO will be outsourced to an online labor marketplace (https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/05/shortly-even-the-ceo-will-be-outsourced-to-an-online-labor-marketplace/?ncid=rss) from TechCrunch.
• Listener Question: Kathy Rees of Portland, Ore. asks, “Is it better to list (or not list) some part time jobs that I have had since I was laid off in July? I do not want to look like someone who jumps from job to job.”
• More from Anne Pryor: Visit Anne’s website: www.annepryor.com (https://annepryor.com/).

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In today’s world, applying for a job online means you’re bound to face some fierce competition. In some cases, you may be competing with an internal candidate. And in other instances, you may be competing with recruiters working for the hiring manager. Any number of online job postings may attract hundreds of applicants. How do you stand out from the crowd? Get expert insights from talent recruiter and owner of PDX Career Coach, Christine LaPorte.

About Our Guest: Christine LaPorte

Christine LaPorte has been a talent recruiter for Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Rejuvenation and R/GA. Today, as the owner of PDX Career Coach, Christine gives creative professionals the tools and strategies they need to connect with hiring managers and get competitive salaries.

Resources in this Episode:

• New Tool: Mango (http://mangoconnects.com) is a networking app that helps you navigate LinkedIn to deepen and grow your professional connections.
• Listener Question: Germaine Couldis from the Bay Area has worked for the same company since she graduated from high school. Fifteen years later, she’s ready to move on but is worried her lack of a bachelor’s degree will limit her job prospects.

More from Christine LaPorte: Go to pdxcareercoach.com (https://www.pdxcareercoach.com/) to connect with Christine and learn her story.

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Anyone who has gone through a job search can tell you that rejection is par for the course. Even the most skilled professionals have failed more than once. And even perfect candidates can lose out on a job because of something outside of their control. One of the keys to a successful job search is to maintain positivity and perspective in the face of regular rejection. To do this, you need to be vulnerable, share your feelings, and lean on your support network to maintain your confidence and keep moving forward toward bigger and better things. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, we welcomed our first African female guest, author and career coach Añuli Ola-Olaniyi! Añuli explains how to manage failure in your job search and turn rejection into a learning opportunity.

About Our Guest: Añuli Ola-Olaniyi

Añuli Ola-Olaniyi is the founder of HEIR (http://heir.com.ng/), a social enterprise created to help young women build capacity and learn career skills. Añuli hosts the Hire Me Bootcamp (http://nigerianwomentrustfund.org/hire-me-bootcamp-iii/), a training platform for millennials. She is certified in project management, HR, and digital skills. And she regularly speaks, facilitates and writes about jobs and careers.

Resources in this Episode:

 

• New Tool: Inspiration for workers over 50 in a new report: 10 Advantages of Retaining and Hiring Older Workers: Lessons from NYC Small Businesses (https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/research/age-smart-employer/advantages-older-workers) from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.

 

• Listener Question: New college grad Kendra wrote in from Walla Walla, Wash. to ask if she should hide her tattoos during job interviews.   

More from Añuli Ola-Olaniyi: Follow along as Añuli grows her business on Twitter at @heirwoman and @anuli

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Julie Dalrymple moved to Portland from a small, tight-knit community in Napa, California. When she first moved to the Pacific Northwest, she missed that built-in network of connections. But from attending networking events, volunteering with local organizations and conducting informational interviews, Julie was able to build a solid network of contacts who opened up new opportunities for her career.

On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job; I talked with Julie Dalrymple about how volunteering opened up new possibilities for her career and helped her secure a job she loves. You can read more about Julie Dalrymple’s job search below in her essay for our Success Stories series.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I am the marketing & communications manager for Classic Wines Auction (http://www.classicwinesauction.com/) in Portland. We are a small but mighty organization that produces food and wine events to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. My job involves creating and implementing the marketing and communications strategy, promoting our events via traditional and digital marketing methods, social media, and community outreach. I do a lot of hands-on graphic and web design as well.

How long did it take you to find this job?

The entire process from the first interview to joining the organization took about six weeks. However, it took several years of searching for the right job. I have a significant background in nonprofit marketing but had a difficult time getting my foot in the door after I moved to Portland in 2014.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

As many others will attest, networking is such a powerful force in the job market. When I moved here three years ago, I focused on cultivating connections by going to events, volunteering, and meeting new people through introductions from friends.

Several people alerted me to this particular job opening because it was so well suited to my skills, experience and interests (of course, I had already seen it on Mac’s List). Before applying and interviewing, I researched, followed their social media, reviewed their website thoroughly, and read anything I could find in the media. My prior experience and volunteerism also helped with this position, as I was familiar with the unique nonprofit model of the organization.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

In the case of my longer-term search for the right job, the most difficult part was dealing with rejection. When I first moved to Portland, I interviewed for a number of organizations and seemed to always be the “runner-up.” I had to learn to not take these rejections personally. It’s hard not to doubt your worth when you don’t get that job offer, but a lot is happening behind the scenes that you may not know, and any number of factors can contribute to the final decision.

Also, with every job application comes a good deal of vulnerability and energy. It can be difficult to jump through all the hoops of a job search – to put yourself out there – and not know if the effort will pay off. Many organizations require detailed projects, plans and personal analysis toward the end of the process, which can be exhausting. But it can also be the key to a life-changing career move (and you can learn a lot about yourself).  

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Find a way to get local, hands-on experience in your desired industry. And, if you’re new to an area, explore the region, meet people, volunteer and find new connections.

I volunteered a lot when I moved here – as a tour guide at the Pittock Mansion (http://www.pittockmansion.org/) (which introduced me to new friends and helped me get acquainted with the city), as a committee member for the American Cancer Society’s annual gala (http://www.portlandhopeball.com/) (which provided valuable insight into the Portland nonprofit and event scene), and as a marketing consultant for other small nonprofits (which opened new doors). I can’t stress enough the value of volunteering. It was critical in building my foundation here in Portland.

Why do you love your job?

The people, the mission, the work… and the wine. The people you work with make all the difference, and I’m grateful for great colleagues and an awesome boss. CWA is making a difference in the community, by serving worthy charitable organizations and bringing people together through wine, food and philanthropy.  I’m excited to come into the office every day and do such great work.

I’ve always loved creating memorable experiences for people, especially for a good cause, and I’m glad to be a part of an organization that shares that value.

Want to learn more about Julie? Connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedalrymple/)!

 

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