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

Should you apply for a job when you are overqualified? Perhaps you’ve moved to a new city, or you’re trying to get a job at your dream company, and are considering taking a smaller role on to get your foot in the door. 'Find Your Dream Job' guest Phiona Martin says to get hired when you're overqualified, you must be able to answer a hiring manager’s specific concerns about hiring you. Phiona shares how to address this in your cover letter, and give genuine answers to common questions you will be asked

If you spend most of your time during a job search filling out online applications and responding to job board listings, you may want to consider more active strategies such as informational interviews with targeted employers. 'Find Your Dream Job' guest, Lesa Edwards, says you need both active and passive strategies for your job hunt. Lesa describes how to organize your time in order to make the most of both strategies to get you the job of your dreams faster and easier.

In the digital age, nurturing our human relationships matter more than ever. Informational interviews are a great way to build lasting relationships. 'Find Your Dream Job' guest Colby Reade says that you need to think of informational interviews like a business meeting. Go into them with a clear goal, a set of specific questions to ask, and a plan for following up. These conversations can not only help you in your job search; they can create a network that can help your career for years to come.

When changing jobs or career paths, many people send out dozens of resumes, hoping that at least a few of them will result in an interview. Before you send out a flood of resumes, however, you need to identify your transferable skills and use your network to discover jobs that may not have been posted or publicized. On this bonus episode of 'Find Your Dream Job,' Benny Kuo and I talk about how he used his connections to find his current job, and how his multifaceted background helped him stand out.

One of the biggest challenges that you will face in your professional life is choosing a career. How do you find the job that’s the best fit for you, no matter your age? 'Find Your Dream Job' guest, Dalan Vanterpool, says that before you begin thinking about certain roles, you need to ask yourself five specific questions. The answers to these questions can help you land a job that not only allows you to excel in your work, but also provides an atmosphere that you enjoy being a part of every day.

Many people don’t think about networking until they need help in finding their next job. It’s vital, however, to stay connected to others and to nurture our network even when we don’t need help. 'Find Your Dream Job' podcast guest, Karen Wickre, says a great network can provide you with many benefits other than a lead on a new job. Karen also explains how daily networking habits can keep you from feeling overwhelming and can make a real difference in your life and the lives of your professional connec

You have a responsibility to not only answer questions but to ask them of everyone you talk to. The answers you receive will tell you a lot about the company. On this episode of 'Find Your Dream Job,' my guest Michelle Neal says that if you get conflicting answers to your questions, especially from the team and the hiring manager, that is your sign to run. It can be hard to walk away from a job offer but just remember, you can’t change people, and working in an unhealthy environment doesn’t benefit anyo

It’s natural to feel discouraged if you’re unemployed. But if you base your identity on what you do for a living, you may self-sabotage when looking for a new job because of your low self-esteem. 'Find Your Dream Job' podcast guest Kali Rogers says that one way to stay positive during a job search is to treat your job hunt like a research project. Kali also says to tell others when you are looking for a job; if people don’t know you’re looking, they can’t share possible openings they may know abou

It can feel frustrating to hear that you are overqualified for the job you want. Hiring managers may feel it’s a waste of both time and money to hire you if you have more experience than the job requires. There are ways around this, including doing your research to understand where the company is heading. On this bonus episode of 'Find Your Dream Job,' Johnny Hartman and I discuss how he tapped into his personal network to overcome challenges in his job search.

If you are preparing to return to work after time as a stay at home parent, you may feel unsure about how to explain the gap in your resume while also showing what you’ve accomplished. 'Find Your Dream Job' podcast guest Stephanie Smith stresses the importance of using online tools like LinkedIn to help you stay in touch with industry leaders. And emphasizes the value of connecting with others through parenting groups or volunteer opportunities, which can help you personally, and also professionally.

One of the biggest challenges older job seekers face is connecting with younger hiring managers. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Ruth Winden, says that if you have trouble working with younger hiring managers, you can fix it. Ruth encourages older workers to begin by focusing their job search on companies that hire people from multiple generations. She also says it’s important for older workers to emphasize management experience and any evergreen skills they have.

There are many reasons why you might stay in a job you hate. You may be worried about what others will think or that you’ve invested too much time in the position to walk away. But quitting can be good for your career, allowing you to carve out the career and life you want. Today’s guest on the 'Find Your Dream Job' podcast, Lynn Marie Morski, says in order to quit well, you need to understand the difference between quitting and giving up. Lynn Marie tells us how to quit in a thoughtful, strategic way.

If you're like most people, you feel nervous when going into a job interview. You don’t want to walk into an interview room and try to wing it; a lack of self-confidence directly affects your body language, which can distract the hiring manager or make you appear less suited for the job. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, John Ribeiro, says that confidence comes from changing your mindset, preparing what you’re going to say, and sharing stories that show your true and authentic self.

Networking to build relationships, volunteering to keep your experience current, and finding a group of people who share your vision will allow you to be patient while you wait. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Julie Magers and I talk about how she worked to create a position that didn’t yet exist. Two years later, she is still loving the dream job she created for herself. Learn more about Julie’s career history below in this installment of our Success Stories series.

Every job search requires people who can attest to the work you’ve done and the skills you possess. But many employers have a policy against giving references. There is also the possibility that you may have to handle a bad reference. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Vicki Lind, says that you need a strategy for dealing with references. The best reference is someone who supervised you closely and is a fan of your work, but you also need to coach them and keep in close contact with them.