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

Local government positions can receive hundreds of applications and the hiring process can be grueling. Today’s guest on the 'Find Your Dream Job' podcast, Serilda Summers-McGee, says that relationships matter more than ever when pursuing a local government job. She tells us that the first relationship you build should be with a recruiter. You also need to understand how the local hiring process works and be ready to face stringent deadlines.

Your job hunt is going well, and you’ve interviewed for several different positions. You are offered one of the positions and you accept, only to receive a more lucrative offer, or one that’s a better fit for you. How do you turn down the offer without burning the bridge with that employer? Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, LaKiesha Tomlin, says handle the rejection with professionalism to apply for jobs at those same companies in the future if a great opportunity becomes available.

You need to put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes when you go into an interview. Find out what problems the company is facing and what keeps them up at night. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Joel Quass, says that once you have that information, demonstrate how you can solve an organization's challenges for them through stories and past experience. Joel also shares how paying attention to your surroundings can help you make connections with the hiring manager.

In years past, it was common to work for the same company from entry-level until retirement. But those days are long gone. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Bev Jones, says that if you want to be successful in your career, you have to behave like a CEO. This includes realizing that in job hunting, there will be losses on the way to the wins. Bev also shares how a mindset shift can help you bring new energy to your current job and motivate you to do the things you don’t enjoy.

One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome in a job search is leaving your job for a new one after only a few months of being there. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Andrew Peters shares the strategies he used when leaving his job after only 10 months. Andrew and I also talk about how to build relationships so that you have connections to draw upon in the future. Learn more about Andrew’s path to career satisfaction below in this installment of our Success Stories series.

If the word “networking” brings to mind an event held in a hotel ballroom consisting of meeting new people and shaking hand after hand, it's time to change your mindset. Learning how to engage with a variety of people in a genuine and sincere way can help build the strong connections to help further your job search. Today’s guest on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Tammy Gooler Loeb, says you need to think of networking as research and look for the types of interactions that make you feel more comfort

One simple mistake in your resume, cover letter or even thank you note after an interview can cost you your next job. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Donna Svei, says that even the most experienced professional can make writing mistakes. Donna shares how to avoid these mistakes, the best way to present yourself when crafting a resume, and whether or not you need a cover letter.

Some people never apply for jobs. Rather, they are approached by recruiters or called by employers about jobs that don’t get advertised. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Laura Gassner Otting, says this doesn’t happen by accident. These people have learned how to use networking differently than most of us. If you would like to have opportunities come calling at your door, listen in as Laura shares how connecting with others can bring your own

There are several things you can do to turn your interview into a job offer, including preparing for the most common questions employers ask, determining the needs of the company, and sharing how you will meet those needs after you begin work. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Jan Melnik, shares her top strategies for clinching a job offer and her #1 secret strategy for standing out before and after a job interview.

It can be discouraging to face dead ends and disappointment during your job search but knowing your skill set and being clear about your goals can take you all the way from defeat to your dream job. On this bonus episode of "Find Your Dream Job," Becca McCulloch and I talk about how to build rapport during an interview, and how trusting your instincts can help you know when a job is the right fit and can help you make difficult career decisions.

Job seekers who customize their resume for each individual job application have a huge advantage over those who rely on using a single generic resume. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Louise Kursmark, says that you have to be a great candidate on paper before you can be a great candidate in person. By using simple methods that include a yellow highlighter and a printer, you can customize your resume to make it stand out from the rest.

It is critical to make a great first impression when job hunting. Most people think first impressions apply only to in-person scenarios, where you may be judged on your looks, speech and behavior. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Merryn Roberts-Huntley, says that you need to pay attention to how others see you online. She also shares tips on body language, clothing, grooming, and the one place that all headhunters and hiring managers visit when checking out candidates online.

You don't have to be nervous about making a good impression in an upcoming job interview. Scientific research shows that you can become the hiring manager’s friend, form a connection, and win over any interviewer with just a few simple steps. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Dr. CK Bray, says that by preparing ahead of time, you can overcome your fears and anxieties and learn how to form a bond with the hiring manager, doubling your chances at getting an offer.

Do you want to work in the nonprofit sector and still make money? There’s a common misconception that working for nonprofits means you have to give up a competitive salary in exchange for mission-driven work. Our guest this week on the Find Your Dream Job podcast, Catalina Rojas, says that you don’t have to choose between a nonprofit job and competitive pay. By doing your research, knowing your worth, and advocating for yourself, you can have a fulfilling job and the compensation you want.

Up to 80 percent of jobs are never posted online. So how are these positions filled? Through networking. Networking is essential to landing a fulfilling job you love, but most people feel icky doing it. Today’s Find Your Dream Job guest, Halelly Azulay, shares what good networking looks like and how it can help you find your next role. Halelly says that networking is all about authenticity and service to others, and building strong relationships upon mutual respect will help you land your dream job.