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

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16357&preview=true) 

Generative AI makes it easy to create resumes and cover letters, but it also makes your application sound just like everyone else’s. Find Your Dream Job guest Gina Riley says relying on AI alone won’t help you stand out in today’s market. Instead, she encourages job seekers to focus on storytelling, showing the results you’ve achieved and the unique value you bring to employers.

Gina shares how to use AI wisely, not as a shortcut, but as a support tool for shaping stronger applications and tailoring them to specific roles. She explains why mass applications rarely pay off, why thoughtful customization matters, and why networking and referrals remain important. By building relationships, highlighting results, and positioning yourself as the obvious solution to an employer’s problem, you’ll stand out in ways that AI-generated materials never can.



About Our Guest:



Gina Riley is an executive career strategist and the author 




Check out Gina’s book, Qualified Isn't Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.




Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Gina on LinkedIn


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Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16301&preview=true)

Taking time away from work can feel risky, but Find Your Dream Job guest Katrina McGhee says a career break is often a smart move. She explains why intentional time off — whether planned or unexpected — can help you recover from burnout, realign with your values, or pursue long-delayed life goals. Katrina also shares why employers are increasingly supportive of breaks and how you can position yours as an advantage in your job search.

Katrina recommends starting with a clear purpose statement and designing your break around what you most want from the experience. She covers practical steps, such as setting goals, planning finances, and allowing space for both decompression and reentry. With the right approach, Katrina says, a career break won’t hold you back. It can renew your energy, build your confidence, and set you up for long-term success.

About Our Guest:



Katrina McGhee is a sabbatical coach who helps professionals turn a career break into a strategic advantage. 

Check out Katrina’s book, Taking A Career Break For Dummies



Resources in This Episode:

Connect with Katrina on LinkedIn
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Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16299&preview=true) 

Perfectionism can quietly hold your job search back. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Tanya Romaniuk, one of the biggest challenges is waiting until everything feels “just right” before taking action. Tanya highlights common pitfalls perfectionists face, including overthinking applications, delaying outreach, and letting fear prevent progress. Her advice is to start small, take imperfect actions, and focus on progress over polish.

Tanya suggests flipping the script on your inner critic, practicing interview prep with friends or mentors, and building confidence through experience rather than waiting to feel 100% ready. She also stresses the importance of recognizing when your standards are realistic versus unhelpful. With the right approach, Tanya says that practicing imperfection will build your confidence and skills, and also get you closer to the work that truly fits you.

About Our Guest:



Tanya Romaniuk is a career counselor at Portland State University. 


Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn


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Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16297&preview=true) 

Making the shift from military service to the civilian workforce isn’t easy. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Angie Condon, one of the biggest challenges is letting go of rank structures and moving from a team-first mindset to advocating for your own career growth. Angie highlights common mistakes veterans make when entering the civilian job market, including not preparing early enough, relying on military hierarchy in corporate settings, and struggling to clearly communicate their value to employers.

Her advice is to start your job search at least a year before leaving the military, take advantage of transition assistance programs, and connect with veteran-focused employee resource groups. Angie also stresses the importance of finding an employer whose values align with your own. Veterans may need to accept an initial step down in responsibility, but their strong leadership skills, reliability, and discipline often set them up for rapid advancement. With the right approach, Angie says, veterans can turn their military experience into a powerful advantage — and often rise more quickly than their civilian peers.

About Our Guest:

Angie Condon is the senior military relations manager at Western Governors University.

Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Angie on LinkedIn


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Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16295&preview=true) 

The job market feels tighter than ever, but according to Find Your Dream Job guest Scott Thompson, you can still get hired faster by avoiding common mistakes and making strategic choices that help you stand out from the competition. Scott shares that today's hiring takes nearly two weeks longer than during 2022's peak, with available jobs dropping 40% as quit rates have plummeted to one-third of Great Resignation levels. While healthcare, accounting, and finance continue growing, HR, marketing, and IT have pulled back significantly.

Most job seekers respond by sending more applications, but Scott argues this "spaghetti at the wall" approach backfires. His strategy centers on a powerful statistic: 86% of job seekers land positions through networking and referrals, while only 14% succeed through blind applications. Scott recommends aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume since recruiters search there first, customizing summaries and cover letters for specific roles, and demonstrating both competence and genuine enthusiasm in interviews by answering two key questions: "Can you do the job?" and "Will you do the job?"

About Our Guest:

Scott Thompson is the managing director of Lexicon Solutions.

Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Scott on LinkedIn




Lexicon Solutions




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