59. Why the Perfect Job is a Myth: Top Performer Secrets with Eliana Goldstein

THE PERFECT JOB —  SECRETS OF THE CAREER GAME — EPISODE 59

Forget everything you think you know about career satisfaction. Career strategist Eliana Goldstein joins Kendall Berg to reveal why chasing the ‘perfect job’ might be your biggest career mistake. Goldstein reveals the groundbreaking ‘70% rule’ transforming how top professionals think about work fulfillment. Eliana and Kendall explain why value alignment trumps passion, how to leverage peer insights in your job search, and how to master the art of strategic networking that actually works. 

Whether you’re feeling stuck or ready to level up, this game-changing episode delivers concrete strategies for building a career that energizes rather than drains you. Get ready for the raw truth about job satisfaction that will change how you think about work—forever.

Finding Real Career Fulfillment: Why Values Matter More Than Passion

The truth is, career satisfaction is more about alignment than passion. Eliana Goldstein breaks down why your values—not your passions—should guide your job choices. Picture this: you’re in an art career you’re passionate about, but you value collaboration, creativity, and good leadership. If those values aren’t present in your work environment, burnout’s just around the corner.

In today’s fast-evolving corporate culture, success requires a shift. Gone are the days when sticking it out guaranteed a promotion. Kendall and Eliana dive into how company values like supportive leadership and work-life balance impact everything from job satisfaction to career growth. Discover how to identify your values and find a career that aligns with them for lasting fulfillment.

Interview Red Flags: Why Speaking to a Peer is Key

When it comes to interview red flags, there’s one that can reveal a lot: talking to a peer. Kendall Berg shares how asking to speak with someone on the team can provide invaluable insights into a company’s true culture. If a hiring manager hesitates or denies the request, consider it a warning sign—they may be painting a picture that doesn’t match reality. Tools like Glassdoor and Fishbowl can offer additional clues, but remember to weigh them carefully since negative experiences often dominate reviews. Kendall and Eliana reveal how even a brief chat with a team member can uncover issues that might make or break your decision to join. If you’re serious about finding a role that aligns with your values, these tactics are non-negotiable.

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Key Takeaways

Career Fulfillment and Passion (00:00 – 11:10)

• Can you genuinely love and enjoy your career?
• Dream careers are unrealistic, but you can love your work enough to push through hard times
• Passion doesn’t always equal career fulfillment
• 70% enjoyment in a role is a good benchmark
• Focus on values alignment rather than following passions
• Understand areas of engagement and disengagement in your work

Finding the Right Job (11:10 – 23:35)

• Use networking for market research to vet companies
• Ask to speak with peers during the interview process
• Utilize platforms like Fishbowl and Glassdoor for company insights
• The current job market is competitive but still possible to find the right fit
• Focus on personal branding and clarity before job searching
• Understand your strengths and skills to better target roles

Job Search Strategies and Persistence (23:35 – 33:26)

• Don’t settle for jobs that don’t align with your values
• Be persistent and resilient in your job search
• Negotiate for what you believe you deserve
• Stand firm in your worth and what you bring to the table
• Don’t take every rejection personally
• Continue the job search process even when it’s difficult

That Career Coach

Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach?

Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_

Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/

Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Eliana Goldstein is a Certified Professional Career Coach who works with ambitious individuals to create the necessary mindsets, learn the key strategies and set the goals needed to move to the next level in their careers whether that’s growing where they are or moving into an entirely different career path. Eliana is the resident Career Coach for CBS Morning News, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and her strategies have been featured on MSNBC, Business Insider, and Fast Company. We spend over 90,000 hours of our lives working so her goal is to teach people how to build careers where they don’t completely dread Monday morning.

Website: www.elianagoldsteincoaching.com

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliana-goldstein/