Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16221&preview=true⁠) 
It may not be difficult to find a job, but to find one that is personally and professionally fulfilling can be much harder. How do you approach a job search that ends with a position you love? Find Your Dream Job guest Elona Landau suggests beginning with self-reflection. What are your values? What means the most to you? Follow that with a mindset check. What do you believe about yourself and your ability to perform? And finally, Elena says, clarify your skill set. What can you offer an employer that will solve their problems, and what skills are you continuing to develop to further your career advancement? 
About Our Guest:
⁠Elona Landau⁠ is the principal of the ⁠Department of Practical Sunshine⁠.
Resources in This Episode:
If you’re a manager or director with a growth mindset, or an individual who needs help clarifying and setting goals, learn more about how Elona can help you by visiting ⁠practicalsunshine.co⁠.⁠Connect with Elona⁠ on LinkedIn. Use promo code DREAMJOB at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at ⁠incogni.com/dreamjob⁠.


The Secret to Career Fulfillment, with Elona Landau

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16227&preview=true) 
Do you hesitate to share with a hiring manager what other opportunities you’re pursuing? Do you think this will hurt your chances of being hired? Find Your Dream Job guest Carly Richter says it’s actually the opposite. Letting a potential employer know of other possible options is a great way to build rapport. Carly says it builds trust, relieves stress, and helps create a hiring timeline. Carly warns against sharing too much in an interview; answer the questions you are asked without oversharing personal details. 

About Our Guest:

Carly Richter is a senior recruiter and account manager with HR Annie Recruitment. 

Resources in This Episode:
Learn more about how Carly can help you in your career by visiting truecallingrecruitment.com.
Connect with Carly on LinkedIn.
Use promo code DREAMJOB at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/dreamjob.

Why Transparency Matters in a Job Interview, with Carly Richter

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16240&preview=true⁠) 
Job searching requires both emotional resilience and strategic efficiency. Find Your Dream Job guest Jontae Grace learned this during his six-month job search after being laid off, including the crushing disappointment of reaching final interviews twice without receiving an offer. His advice: separate your self-worth from your employment status and never stop applying until you have a formal offer. Jontae advocates for using quick apply functions on job boards to save time: what traditionally takes 30-45 minutes per application can be reduced to seconds. He also suggests looking beyond salary to total compensation packages, sharing how one employer's wellness reimbursement program provided $1,500 annually in real value through dollar-for-dollar matching on health and wellness expenses.


About Our Guest:
⁠Jontae Grace⁠ is an employee relations specialist at ⁠Do Good Multnomah⁠. 


Resources in This Episode:
⁠Connect with Jontae⁠ on LinkedIn. To learn more about Jontae Grace’s job search, visit ⁠macslist.org/stories⁠.  


Working Smarter, Not Harder: Jontae Grace’s Job Search Success Story

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16242&preview=true⁠) 

A successful job search starts with self-knowledge, not sending out applications. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Aoife O’Brien, many job seekers make the mistake of jumping into similar roles after feeling unhappy at work, only to land in the same situation again. Aoife’s "Know, Show, Grow" framework encourages starting with three core pillars: values – what truly matters to you beyond a paycheck; needs – what keeps you motivated day to day; strengths – what energizes you and comes naturally. Without this foundation, you risk repeating the cycle of unfulfilling jobs. Aoife also recommends showing your value by tying your strengths to real business outcomes from past roles. Instead of applying everywhere, focus on opportunities that align with your authentic self, and submit fewer, better applications.


About Our Guest:
⁠Aoife O'Brien⁠ is the founder of ⁠Happier at Work⁠. 


Resources in This Episode:
Visit ⁠her website⁠ at happieratwork.ie ⁠Connect with Aoife⁠ on LinkedIn.

The First Step to Finding a Job That Makes You Happy, with Aoife O’Brien

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (⁠https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16262&preview=true⁠) 

Starting a job search without a strategy is like wandering in the dark. According to Find Your Dream Job guest Mher Mardoyan, most job seekers make the mistake of immediately updating their resume and applying online without a clear focus. This "spray and pray" approach leads to zero responses because it lacks intention. Mher's seven-step framework transforms job searching from day one: identify your core values, maintain a positive mindset throughout the marathon-like process, and craft compelling stories that make you memorable. Successful job searching requires treating it like a project with weekly goals and dedicated time blocks. Rather than applying to 50 jobs with generic resumes, focus on fewer opportunities where your skills truly align. The key differentiator? Networking and relationship building – many positions are filled through referrals, not online applications.
About Our Guest:
⁠Mher Mardoyan⁠ is a career coach who helps early to mid-level professionals find jobs faster. 
He’s also the host of the Career Advice Podcast, ⁠Crack the Hiring Code, Get Hired⁠. 
Resources in This Episode:
⁠Visit his YouTube channel⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Connect with Mher⁠ on LinkedIn. 


7 Strategies to Start Your Job Search, with Mher Mardoyan

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

Google the words “cover letter” and you will find lots of opinions on the best tactics: which format to use, the right salutations, and to whom you should address your letter. Our guest expert this week, Susan Rich, author of How to Write a Kick-Butt Resume Cover Letter, says people are missing the most important point of all: an employer has a problem that needs to be solved. &nbsp;The applicant who shows she or he can solve problem has a huge advantage. Susan shares her advice how to focus your thoughts into to key talking points that address the employer’s needs. A dynamite headline and a powerfully structured cover letter showcases your skills in a way that is uniquely appealing to employers looking for help. In this 26-minute episode you will learn:  How to frame job seeking as a business transaction Why being a problem solver is the key to your job search How to organize your thoughts to focus in on your key points for a cover letter The elements of a strong cover letter headline How to structure a cover letter that actually gets read  This week’s guest: Susan Rich (Twitter | LinkedIn) Author, How to Write a Kick-Butt Resume Cover Letter Portland, Ore. Susan Rich deliver results, not promises. People call her an idea refinery, always creating a new way forward. She is widely recognized for her strategic business and marketing savvy, her internal &amp; external communications strategies. She is an expert speaker and trainer, and professional journalist with more than one million words in print. Listener question of the week:  “With email as the primary form of application these days, how formal do cover letters need now? &nbsp;Do I still need to include the employer’s address?” - Beckie  If you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, please contact Jenna Forstrom, Mac’s List Community Manager at jenna@macslist.org. Resources from this week’s show:    Weekend Resume Kit  The Muse's 185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome RichWriting.com Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond) – On sale through June 15!   If you have a job-hunting or career development resource you’d like to share, please contact Ben Forstag, Mac’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.

Ep. 038: How to Write a Killer Cover Letter, with Susan Rich

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.

Ep. 038: How to Write a Killer Cover Letter, with Susan Rich

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