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We all know we need to be active on LinkedIn and that our profile is the key piece of a LinkedIn strategy. How do you begin to build a profile that gets you noticed? You begin by understanding the platform, says Find Your Dream Job guest Portia Obeng. Portia stresses the importance of keywords. LinkedIn is a keyword-driven platform, so using the keywords that match your industry is your first step. Your LinkedIn profile should tell the reader what you do, how you’ve done it in the past, and the transformation you offer to those you work with and for. 

About Our Guest:

Portia Obeng is a social media strategist and a career coach. Portia helps women level up on LinkedIn so they can attract the money-making opportunities they deserve.

Resources in This Episode:

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Hiring managers are asking questions about a candidate’s experience in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion, so you need to be prepared to answer. Find Your Dream Job guest Jasmine Tolbert shares the biggest factor in answering these questions—authenticity. Don’t try to fake a concern about these topics. Share from your experience how you have pursued racial equity in former jobs and how you would do so in any specific scenarios the hiring manager presents you with. 

Jasmine Tolbert is the vice president of people and culture for YWCA Clark County. Her organization is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

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Is it possible to break into a field that you have zero experience in? It might not be easy, but it can be done. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Gregory Day shares how he went from a career in IT to the field of Human Resources without HR experience. Gregory says passion for the field and enthusiasm for the job are what carried him through when hiring managers scoffed. Learn more about Gregory’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series. 

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You want to switch careers or fields, but you aren’t sure if you have the skills necessary to be successful. What do you do? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Zach Moore, you take the time to figure out which skills you can transfer to that new field. What skills do you possess in terms of working with others, managing projects, or recording data and analytics? Zach also suggests thinking of a job description as a “cry for help,” and figuring out how your skills can answer that cry and solve that problem for the company. 

Zach Moore is the career pathways manager at College Possible. It’s a nonprofit that coaches students from low-income communities to and through college.

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It’s normal to want to show up as your best self in a job interview; after all, you want the hiring manager to like you and want to hire you. However, there’s a difference between being your true best self and being someone you’re not. Find Your Dream Job guest Courtney Ulwelling says there are three things you need to do to show up as your authentic self in an interview. First, prepare, but don’t go in and recite a bunch of facts you read on their website. Second, wear professional clothes that make you feel comfortable. And finally, pay attention. Listen to their questions and be ready with questions of your own. 

Courtney Ulwelling is a talent acquisition specialist at Portland General Electric. 

Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn.

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If the Covid-19 pandemic taught us anything at all, it’s that nothing is permanent. Life changes and we change, and sometimes that change is for the better. Find Your Dream Job guest Toye Jones says changing careers can also be for the better, if you do it right. Toye says you have to start with your why. Be able to explain the reason you’re making the switch, and the experience you have, whether paid or voluntary, to show your passion for the field. Toye also suggests reaching out to hiring managers even if their company doesn’t show open positions and asking for an informational interview. 

Toye Jones is the human resources and equity director at CASA for Children.

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It’s not unusual for someone to get a few years into their career and wonder if they’re headed in the right direction. Choosing a major in college doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be happy in that field for years to come. How do you know if you’re on the right path? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Kyle Kavas, you start by asking yourself 3 questions- do you like your job? Do you like your coworkers? Do you align with the company and its values? If the answers to those questions are yes, it’s likely you’ve chosen the right path, at least for now. 

Kyle Kavas the president of UPLIFT Leadership. It’s a nonprofit that helps people figure out who they are, what they want to do, and how to uplift others.

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Job interviews aren’t something we tend to do regularly, so it’s normal to be nervous going into one. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Michael Buck, preparation is key because hiring managers can tell who’s done their homework. Begin by studying the job description and getting a handle on the specific duties it requires. Michael adds that because the hiring process can be so stressful, you need to be sure to practice adequate self-care before, during, and after any interviews. Finally, prepare a list of questions for the panel. A candidate with zero questions appears to have little to no interest in the job. 

Michael Buck is a recruiter and a human resources manager with deep roots in the nonprofit sector.

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You feel like it’s time to make a career change, but you aren't sure which direction you should take. How do you know what to do next? Find Your Dream Job guest Andrea Yacub Macek says you begin by getting clear on what you want from your career, or at least the next level. Then, focus on only one or two areas or goals, and make a decision on what to do as your next step. Finally, Andrea suggests identifying the pieces and parts of your dream job and connecting them with specific positions or companies you’d like to apply to. 

Andrea Yacub Macek is the founder and CEO of AYM Consulting. 

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Applicant tracking systems make it easier than ever to apply for multiple jobs in one sitting. But is that the best way to go about getting your dream job? Not according to Find Your Dream Job guest Elora Arding. Elora says these systems are great for streamlining the application process, but only if you use them correctly. That starts with following all directions and customizing your materials for each position. Elora also suggests researching the company so that you can share relevant experiences and ask questions that show you know the company’s values and how you can contribute to their mission. 

Elora Arding is the people and culture manager at Portland Audubon. Her organization protects birds and habitats, fights climate change, and advocates for access to nature.

Learn more about the mission of Portland Audubon, including their upcoming new name and rebrand, by visiting Portland Audubon.

Connect with Elora on LinkedIn.

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