What would it be like to create your own job instead of looking for one? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Kelly Noack (http://linkedin.com/in/kelly-noack) shares how she expanded the job she was doing for one arm of a larger company. Kelly’s success in IT security and compliance gave her confidence that she could expand her role to include the family of businesses within the company as a whole. Kelly also shares how mentoring and research helped her propose the new position to her leadership. Learn more about Kelly’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series. (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories)

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If you see networking as large meet-ups and one-off coffee dates, it’s time to rethink your networking strategy. Find Your Dream Job guest Sophia Wellons stresses the need for building long-term relationships through networking. Networking isn’t simply meeting someone and asking them if they have a job for you; it building relationships that will serve both parties for months or years to come. Sophia says you have to go into these settings with clarity on what you need and how you can help others, along with a willingness to do so.

Sophia Wellons (http://linkedin.com/in/srwellons) is a recruiter at Galois (https://lifeatgalois.com/). Her company specializes in the research and development of new technologies.

• Sophia welcomes connections on LinkedIn. You can find her at (www.linkedin.com/in/srwellons/).

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Are you afraid of using new technology in your job search? Don’t be, says Find Your Dream Job guest Nicole Blevins. ChatGPT is a tool that can help you be more efficient and can give you the information you need to find the perfect fit. Nicole says ChatGPT can save you hours when creating cover letters and resumes. She also recommends using it to research positions, salary ranges, and sample interview questions. The best way to get comfortable with ChatGPT is to play around with it, learn as much as you can, and discover how it can best help you in your job search.

Nicole Blevins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelizblevins/) is the HR training services manager at Xenium HR (https://xeniumhr.com/).

• If you want to learn more about ChatGPT and how it can help you in your job search, Nicole invites you to connect with her on LinkedIn. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelizblevins/)

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Not every job will have us excited to get up in the morning. Sometimes, we have to take positions to pay the bills. But if you see an opening that excites you, Find Your Dream Job guest Arturo Rodriguez Flores says you should go all in on the opportunity. Arturo suggests using that excitement to fuel your cover letter writing and to research the company for the interview process. Excitement over a position will lead you to know where the company is, where they’re going, and how you can help them get there, says Arturo. 

Arturo Rodriguez (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturo-rodriguez-flores-992281203/) Flores is a recruitment strategist at SEIU Local 503. (https://seiu503.org/) It’s one of the largest labor unions in the state of Oregon. 

• Want to know more about Arturo and his work with SEIU Local 503? Connect with him on LinkedIn. 

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In a crowded job market, if you don’t stand out, you’ll miss out. The best way to network with target employers is by getting clear on your values, says Find Your Dream Job guest Claudia Bruce-Quartey. Know the type of company culture that brings out your best. Claudia also suggests you practice questions to ask in these conversations and also how you will share the value you can bring to the company. And if you feel nervous about meeting with a hiring manager for a conversation, Claudia says execution is everything. So jump!

Claudia Bruce-Quartey (http://linkedin.com/in/claudia-bruce-quartey)is a career coach for female professionals who want to speak confidently about accomplishments and ask for raises.

• Get your copy of Claudia’s children’s book, “My Hair, My Choice,” which helps black and brown children feel empowered and confident to show up as themselves in the world. (https://www.amazon.com/My-Hair-Choice-Claudia-Bruce-Quartey/dp/1913770281/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OQIQDZ0DCD0P&keywords=Claudia+Bruce-Quartey&qid=1693933856&sprefix=claudia+bruce-quartey%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1)

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Do you find yourself hesitant to be authentic in job interviews? Why does it matter? On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Shae Noble (http://linkedin.com/in/shaenoble) shares her journey to authenticity and how it led her to take on a specific role. Shae says that knowing what you truly want from a job matters more than where you end up. She suggests making a list of what matters most to you and piecing those things together to create your dream job, then pursuing the companies and positions that can offer those things. Learn more about Shae’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series. (https://www.macslist.org/articles/success-stories) 

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We all know we need to network, yet the thought of being in a room full of strangers making small talk turns many of us off. What if networking could be as natural as speaking with a friend? It can, according to Find Your Dream Job guest Katy Byrtus. Katy says the best network is made up of those people you already know. Katy suggests reaching out to former coworkers, managers, and mentors, considering that people enjoy helping others. A job search can be challenging. Don’t go it alone. Use your network to make it easier and more sustainable than staring at a computer screen for hours on end. 

Katy Byrtus (http://linkedin.com/in/kbyrtus) is a creative recruiter at M+P (https://mathys-potestio.com/) who connects candidates with jobs. 

• Get your FREE download of Katy’s Top 5 Tips for Networking (In and Out of) Your Job Search by visiting https://thecreativeparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Katy-Byrtus-MP-and-Macs-List.pdf

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Trying to find a job by sending out mass resumes will only lead to frustration in your job search. You need people who are on your side and who can help you. Find Your Dream Job guest Francina Harrison calls these R-E-A-L relationships; human-to-human interactions that lead to the information you need. As you seek out these REAL relationships, follow the advice Francina offers, “Don’t get anxious; get prepared!” by knowing three things: who you are, what you have, and what you want. 

About Our Guest:

Francina Harrison (http://linkedin.com/in/careerengineer) is the CEO of The Career Engineer®. (https://tcenow.com/) Her company helps career changers, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. Francina is also the author of A Mind to Work: The Life and Career Planning Guide for People Who STILL Need To Work. (https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Work-Career-Planning-People/dp/069267294X)

Resources in This Episode:

• If you’re feeling anxious about finding your next job, learn more about TCE’s motto - “Don’t get anxious, get prepared!” by visiting the website at tcenow.com/.(https://tcenow.com/)

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It’s easy to reach out to friends and family when we need information during a job search. But have you ever considered networking with a stranger? Making a cold networking request might not be the easiest step you could take, but it can open up opportunities you wouldn’t have known about otherwise, says Find Your Dream Job guest Emma Britton. Even if you don’t know someone, Emma says they’re likely to agree to connect simply to give back. They also realize you, as another professional, have things to offer. So, be confident, reach out, and ask for exactly what you need. 

Emma Britton (http://linkedin.com/in/emma-r-britton) is the director of career services at the National University of Natural Medicine (https://nunm.edu/).

• If you’re interested in more of what Emma does at NUNM, connect with her on LinkedIn. (http://linkedin.com/in/emma-r-britton)

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You feel like you want a change in your career, but you’re scared. Should you change, or should you stay put and appreciate the job you have? A change can be a positive thing, giving you new opportunities in your day-to-day responsibilities, says Find Your Dream Job guest Amechi Udo. Before making any career change, Amechi suggests asking yourself what your desired outcome is. Get clarity around what you want in a new position, and then use the resources you already have to pursue the opportunity. Start with your skills, talents, and experience and grow from there. 

About Our Guest:

Amechi Udo (http://linkedin.com/in/careercoachforexecutives) is the founder of Your Career Matters (https://www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/). Amechi’s company helps you take charge of your career.

Resources in This Episode:

• Download your FREE guide, The Seven Steps to Career Change Success, at www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/findyourdreamjob (http://www.yourcareermatters.co.uk/findyourdreamjob).

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