mac's list

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16289&preview=true⁠) 
Your story is your most powerful job search tool, yet most candidates fail to use it effectively. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Levi Gaytan, job seekers without personal narratives appear formulaic and forgettable to hiring managers. Stories create connections, showing employers why you're applying and how your past experience relates to their needs. Levi's approach uses two frameworks: SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and VRIO (value, rarity, imitability, organization). He says effective stories follow a simple formula: before, action, result, and then why it matters to the employer. Every experience contains transferable skills – parenting demonstrates leadership, driving for Uber shows resourcefulness. Rather than weak language like "supported," use strong action words like "led" and "directed." Success comes from authentic self-reflection and conducting informational interviews to truly understand what employers need, rather than simply matching resume buzzwords to job descriptions.


About Our Guest:
⁠Levi Gaytan⁠ is an HR leader, speaker, and community builder. 


Resources in This Episode:
⁠Connect with Levi⁠ on LinkedIn. ⁠Portland Human Resources Management Association⁠


How Your Story Can Transform Your Job Search, with Levi Gaytan

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16291&preview=true) 

Job searching involves invisible emotional labor that can quietly erode your confidence and self-worth. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Alondra Canizal Hsu, constant rejection and uncertainty cause job seekers to question their value, especially when they don't receive feedback or explanations. BIPOC, first-generation, and immigrant professionals face additional challenges through code-switching and navigating spaces not originally designed for them, often feeling pressure to minimize their cultural identity. The emotional toll manifests as self-doubt about accomplishments, comparison with others on social media, and attributing rejections to personal failings rather than market realities. Alondra recommends building both formal and informal support networks – from family cheerleaders to professional "boards of directors" who can advocate and connect you with opportunities. She emphasizes tracking small wins throughout the process, setting boundaries to protect your mental health, and remembering that ghosting and rejection aren't personal attacks. Managing emotional labor requires acknowledging these feelings as normal, seeking community support, and maintaining perspective on what you can and cannot control in an unpredictable job market.

About Our Guest:

Alondra Canizal Hsu is a career strategist and the founder of Soluna Career Consulting. 

Resources in This Episode:
Connect with Alondra on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Soluna Career Consulting

Navigating the Emotional Labor of a Job Search, with Alondra Canizal Hsu

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16287&preview=true⁠) 
Career pivots during uncertain times can lead to unexpected opportunities. Find Your Dream Job guest Mitch Kutin successfully transitioned from fitness gym operations manager to university recruiter, navigating the shift from hands-on physical work to a professional office environment. After experiencing a poor culture fit at one company, Mitch learned that researching an organization's culture matters as much as its role requirements. His successful strategy involved meticulous organization – tracking applications, tailoring resumes for specific positions, and analyzing success rates. Mitch stresses that today's high-volume environment requires persistence and treating rejection as a numbers game. Don't limit yourself geographically, as expanding the search radius significantly increases opportunities. Success comes from thorough company research, customized applications over easy-apply features, and systematic tracking with self-reflection throughout the process.
About Our Guest:
⁠Mitch Kutin⁠ is a recruitment specialist at the ⁠University of Oregon⁠. 
Resources in This Episode:
⁠Connect with Mitch⁠ on LinkedIn. To learn more about Mitch Kutin’s job search, visit ⁠macslist.org/stories⁠.


One Hire at a Time: Mitch Kutin’s Job Search Success Story

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16293&preview=true⁠) 
Most job searches lack direction because people can't answer a fundamental question: What specific work would actually energize you? According to Find Your Dream Job guest Theresa White, career clarity means more than understanding your skills and values — it requires knowing which specific roles genuinely excite you and feel realistic to pursue. Without this clarity, job seekers resort to applying broadly for any available position, leaving their professional networks unable to offer targeted assistance.
Theresa identifies three barriers that keep people stuck: analysis paralysis from endless worksheets that never translate into action, the sunk cost fallacy that traps them in unfulfilling careers due to the time and money already invested, and simply not knowing how to move from abstract career advice to concrete next steps. Her Career Clarity Formula centers on distinguishing between skills you're good at and skills that energize you, then using informational interviews to test whether specific roles truly align with what makes you come alive.
About Our Guest:
⁠Theresa White⁠ is the founder of ⁠Career Bloom⁠. 
Resources in This Episode:
⁠Connect with Theresa⁠ on LinkedIn⁠Career Bloom Coaching⁠










How To Get Clear About Your Career, with Theresa White

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




How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market, with Scott Thompson

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

How to Land a Civilian Job After Military Service, with Angie Condon

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


Practice Imperfection in Your Job Search, with Tanya Romaniuk

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


AI Can’t Make You Stand Out in Your Job Search, with Gina Riley

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


Why a Career Break Is a Smart Move, with Katrina McGhee

Local radio station KINK&nbsp;101.9 recently interviewed our very own Mac Prichard, founder of Mac's List! Host Sheila Hamilton&nbsp;spoke with Mac about how Mac's List started, what we offer today, and key job-hunting tips in today's local market.
The broadcast originally aired Sunday, November 15, 2015.
We want to share this interview with you, our podcast&nbsp;listeners, as the material covered in the broadcast is broadly applicable to all job seekers--whether you are based in Portland or anywhere else.
In this 14-minute episode you will learn:

The story of Mac's List from its early start to today
Do's and dont's of the modern job search
The 80/20 rule to follow as you look for work
Resources to aid your search in Portland

Thank you for listening to Find Your Dream Job. If you like the show, please help us by rating and reviewing our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support!
&nbsp;
FULL TRANSCRIPT
John Sepulvado:

This is &ldquo;Find Your Dream Job,&rdquo; the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life. I&rsquo;m John Sepulvado, producer of the podcast.


I&rsquo;ve temporarily taken over hosting duties for this special bonus edition of Find Your Dream Job.&nbsp; You see, our usual host, Mac Prichard, has turned into a radio star!

On Sunday, November 15, Mac was interviewed on a local Portland radio station, KINK 101.9. He chatted with the host, Sheila Hamilton, about the local job scene and shared several job-hunting tips.&nbsp;We want to share this interview with you, our podcast listeners, as we think the material covered in the broadcast is broadly applicable to all job seekers--whether you are based in Portland or anywhere else.
&nbsp;
So sit back and enjoy this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job.
Sheila Hamilton:
It is such a pleasure to welcome into my studio, Mac Prichard, who is a long-time friend, the author of "How to Find Your Dream Job in Portland", the author of the Mac's List, the CEO of Mac's List I suppose you call yourself-
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
I'm the publisher, yes.
Sheila Hamilton:&nbsp;
And a person who really is so important, so key in knowing if you want to work in Portland because you seem to have tentacles all throughout our community. It's so good to see you again.
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
It's terrific to see you again, Sheila.
Sheila Hamilton:&nbsp;
Why did you ... I knew you back in City Government, we were both covering City Government a long long time ago, why did you decide to move into employment and helping people secure their dream jobs?
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Well, I went down to Salem after City Hall when you and I worked together, and I after working for the governor and as a spokesman for different state agencies, I took a position with Portland State and I wanted to stay in touch with my colleagues in Salem. We all get job postings, they all cross our desks occasionally, so in order to remain connected with people I just started forwarding the postings I got to a few dozen people in Salem. As the years went by, and Mac's List is a 14 year overnight success, I started hearing from employers I didn't know and people I didn't know who said, "Add me to your list". It grew slowly, at the end of eight years we had less than a thousand names but right now we have more than twenty thousand, and we have about eighty thousand people who take advantage, visit Mac's List, the website, the social media accounts, and the newsletter, and the podcasts.
Sheila Hamilton:&nbsp;
Now, I noticed your strength seems to be in non-profit and government work, but you're also doing private business now it appears, right?
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;
We are and I think you know, Sheila, I run two small businesses. One is macslist.org, which is the online community for people looking for rewarding creative work in Oregon and beyond, and the other is Prichard Communications, it's a public relations...

BONUS - An Interview with Mac Prichard

Millennials, the 54 million Americans born after 1980, now account for more than a third of the workforce in the United States. Perhaps more than any generation, millennials stand out for wanting meaningful, purpose-driven careers. And they have brought new ideas about decision-making, management style, and work-life balance into the workforce.
Millennials face challenges, too. Many started work in the middle of the Great Recession, which may result in up-to $100,000 of &ldquo;lost&rdquo; wages during their lifetime. Those lucky enough to find jobs were often overqualified. And there&rsquo;s a stereotype that millennials are&nbsp;high maintenance and overly demanding.
This week on Find Your Dream Job Mac talks with Paul Angone, an author, career coach, and advocate for millennial workers. Paul has dedicated himself to helping millennials overcome their fear of insignificance and find purposeful work. He believes that the secret to a great job is building your &ldquo;signature sauce&rdquo;--aligning your strengths, skills, and values around a need or problem that can be solved.
In this 34-minute episode you will learn:

The myriad motivators for millennials workers (it&rsquo;s not just about a paycheck!)
Why failure can help clarify your passions
How to build genuine relationships when you network
The recipe behind your own &ldquo;signature sauce&rdquo;
Why you should watch out for OCD--&ldquo;Obsessive Comparison Disorder&rdquo;
The best&nbsp;thing millennials can do to get a job they love

This week&rsquo;s guest:
Paul Angone (@PaulAngone | LinkedIn)Founder, All Groan UpAuthor, All Groan Up: Searching For Self, Faith, and a Freaking Job! and101 Secrets For Your TwentiesSan Diego, Calif.
Listener question of the week:&nbsp;

How can I stand out as a recent college graduate?

Do you have a question you&rsquo;d like us to answer on a future episode? Please send your questions to Cecilia Bianco, Mac&rsquo;s List Community Manager at cecilia@macslist.org.
Resources referenced on this week&rsquo;s show:

Answering the Three Career Questions: Your Lifetime Career Management System
AllGroanUp.com
SignatureSauce.com
All Groan Up: Searching for Self, Faith, and a Freaking Job!
101 Secrets for Your Twenties
Twentysomething Problems--as Told By Eggs
Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond) - 2016 Edition

If you have a job-hunting or career development resource resource you&rsquo;d like to share, please contact Ben Forstag, Mac&rsquo;s List Managing Director at ben@macslist.org.
--
Thank you for listening to Find Your Dream Job. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support!Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com.
--
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
This is Find Your Dream Job, a podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want and make a difference in life. I'm Mac Prichard, your host and publisher of Mac's List. Our show is brought to you by Mac's List and our book, Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond). To learn more about the book and the updated edition we're publishing in February, come to our website. Just visit macslist.org/ebook.
Millennials, the 54 million Americans born after 1980, who came of age in the New Millennium, now account for more than a third of the workforce in the United States. Perhaps more than any generation, Millennials stand out for wanting meaningful careers, and lives that balance career and family. They are also the first generation digital natives. Millennials face challenges, too. Many started work in the middle of the Great Recession, and entering a labor market during a recession can mean up to a hundred thousand dollars in lost wages during a lifetime. Those lucky enough to find jobs were often overqualified, and there's a stereotype out there of Millennials as high maintenance workers who are overly...

Ep. 014: The Millennials’ Guide to Finding a Job

HAPPY NEW YEAR!&nbsp;We hope you all had a festive&nbsp;holiday season and that you're staring 2016 re-energized to build&nbsp;the career of your dreams!
To kick off the new calendar year, the Mac's List team is sharing a&nbsp;bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, featuring one of our most popular guests, Aubrie De Clerck of Portland-based Coaching for Clarity.
In this 3-minute episode, Aubrie reads "Portland's Threads--and Yours", her contribution to the Mac's List&nbsp;ebook, Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond).
If you&rsquo;re looking for more advice on developing a brand that attracts employers,&nbsp;check out Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond). The 2016 edition, available February 1, includes new content and will be available on a wide range of e-reading devices, including Kindle, Nook and iBooks.&nbsp;You will even be able to order a paperback edition!
To learn more, sign-up for our ebook mailing list at www.macslist.org/ebook. When you join this list, we'll&nbsp;send you publication updates, insider ebook content, and special pre-sale price discounts.
Make&nbsp;2016 the year you land your dream job!
Thank you for listening to Find Your Dream Job. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Mac Prichard:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
This is Find Your Dream Job, the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life. I'm Mac Prichard, your host and publisher of Mac's List.
On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, we're bringing back one of our most popular guests, Aubrie De Clerck of Coaching For Clarity. Aubrie is included as one of the local job search experts in Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond), and in today's episode, she'll share her contribution to the book with you, our podcast listeners.
Here's Aubrie De Clerck reading "Portland's Threads--and Yours", from Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond).
Aubrie DeClerck:
In any search, it's up to us to tell our story: Who we are, what we can do, and how we stand out in doing it. Our story is not simply about identifying transferable skills. To find fulfilling work, we need to communicate our threads, the things we're best at, the things we can't stop doing even if we try, the things we do naturally are gifts in a way that creates confidence in ourselves and shows our value to an employer.
Take Portland as an example. We all know about keeping the city weird, but what is consistent about the town that filters into all the community does? What are Portland's threads? Here are two: unrestrainable creative self-expression, and ongoing commitment to environmental protection. How do we know with confidence that this is truly what Portland is about? If we were writing a resume for Portland, we would give specific examples.
For unrestrainable creative self-expression, think about our food and drink: Microbreweries, coffee roasters, adventurous, award winning restaurants and farmer's markets. As for the arts, International Film Festival or Jazz Festival, Tango Fest and monthly art walks. Our annual events that include the Bridge Pedal, the PDX Adult Soap Box Derby, Tour de Coops and Time-Based Art Festival. Then our iconic local businesses: Powell's Books, food carts, Hollywood Theater, and Voodoo Doughnuts.
As for our ongoing commitment to environmental protection, we have compost at the curb. Sixty-three percent of all of our waste is recycled. Investment in public transportation, including our new MAXX Orange Line, strong urban growth boundary, buffer bike lanes, LEED certified buildings and more. With clear examples identified, how do you assign value to them? What do these threads mean about Portland?
To me, they create a great quality of life and keep our community vibrant, essential components for a city I choose to live in.
As you create your personal brand, ask yourself: What are my threads? How do...

BONUS: Portland's Threads--And Yours

Mac’s List is the premier career development resource for connecting passionate, creative professionals to meaningful and socially impactful work in Oregon and SW Washington.

BONUS - An Interview with Mac Prichard

Mac's List

Related tracks