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=16441&preview=true) 

Career changes are becoming a natural part of modern work life. But navigating them well can be challenging, especially in uncertain times. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career and leadership consultant Charity McDonald shares her framework for making a successful pivot through the three paths for a career pivot: possibilities, patience, and people.

Charity explains how to expand your options by focusing on your transferable skills, managing expectations when a job search takes longer than planned, and building genuine connections that lead to new opportunities. She also offers tips for reframing rejection, staying patient amid uncertainty, and using LinkedIn to reach hiring managers in a more personal way.

About Our Guest:



Charity McDonald is an author, speaker, and career and leadership consultant. 




Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Charity on LinkedIn. 




Check out her new book, Women, Work & Leadership: Embracing Courage and Boldly Leading From Within




Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16435&preview=true) 

Many job seekers treat interviews as a series of questions to answer correctly, but doing so can make you blend in instead of stand out. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career coach Kacie Bail explains how to turn an interview into a genuine conversation that builds trust and connection with your interviewer. She shares three practical steps: listen intently, identify conversation threads, and engage naturally with what your interviewer says. By focusing on curiosity and connection, you can show that you’re not only qualified but also someone they’ll enjoy working with.

Kacie also offers simple ways to signal understanding, ask meaningful follow-up questions, and use nonverbal cues like nodding and smiling to build rapport. You’ll learn how to adapt these techniques for both casual and highly structured interviews — and why the goal isn’t perfection, but authenticity. As Kacie reminds us, interviewers may forget your exact answers, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

About Our Guest:



Kacie Bail is a career coach who helps introverts and non-native English speakers get more fulfilling jobs.  




Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Kacie on LinkedIn. 




Visit her website, where you can Get a Free PDF on How to Ace your Interview in 7 Steps.




Sign up for Kacie’s Newsletter.




Check out Kacie’s Career Coaching for Introverts and ESL Community Meetup Group.




Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16430&preview=true)

On Sept. 11, we hosted our third quarterly event of 2025 in partnership with Willamette University’s Atkinson School of Management. Almost 100 people gathered for networking and a panel discussion, “The Leadership Skills You Need to Succeed in Oregon’s Tough Job Market.” 

Together, the panelists shared their experiences from higher education, tech recruiting, and executive coaching, offering practical advice for job seekers navigating Oregon’s challenging job market. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from eight tabling organizations, including educators, professional associations, and career coaches.

About Our Guest

Leah Straley, dean of Graduate Admissions for Willamette University. 

Panelists





Ashley Nixon, Ph.D., dean for academic affairs and professor of human resources and organizational behavior, Willamette University



Tim Butler, principal sourcer, global talent sourcing, New Relic, Inc.






Dr. Carol Parker Walsh, JD, PhD, ACC, executive coach & leadership consultant, Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group






Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16425&preview=true) 

Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand — it’s your reputation and the value you bring to the marketplace. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, career coach Tonjala Eaton explains how to intentionally shape and share that brand to stand out in a crowded job market. She shares why self-reflection is the first step in identifying what you want to be known for and how to define the unique mix of skills and attributes that set you apart. Tonjala also offers guidance on using tools like ChatGPT to explore your strengths, clarify your message, and discover the impact of your work.

You’ll learn how to be intentional about your career goals, focus your job search, and communicate your brand effectively — from your LinkedIn profile to your interviews. Tonjala also explains why having a clear, consistent message helps you attract the right opportunities, avoid burnout, and show employers exactly where you fit. By owning your story and showing up authentically, you’ll build credibility, confidence, and momentum in your job search.

About Our Guest:



Tonjala Eaton is a career coach who helps her clients move into new careers. 




Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Tonjala on LinkedIn


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16414&preview=true)

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find your next job. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Nikki Schutte, most opportunities don’t come from job boards — they come through people you know and the connections they can introduce you to. Referrals won’t guarantee you a job, but they often get your application noticed and can lead to interviews you might not get otherwise.

In this episode, Nikki explains why employers value personal connections, how professional associations can help you grow your network, and why showing up in person makes such a difference. She also shares practical tips for job seekers who feel hesitant about networking, from starting small at local events to focusing on authentic conversations. By building relationships over time, you’ll uncover hidden opportunities and make your job search far more effective.

About Our Guest:



Nikki Schutte is the executive director of the Portland Human Resources Management Association.


Resources in This Episode:



Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices