What Do You Really Want? with Jennifer Schwartz
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When someone asks, “What are you looking for?” it can feel like a simple question, but your answer can shape your entire job search. Many candidates struggle to articulate that answer. On this episode of Find Your Dream Job, executive and life coach Jennifer Schwartz explains why knowing where you want to go makes it easier to focus your energy and make clear decisions.
Jennifer talks about how imposter syndrome, fear, and other people’s expectations can cloud what you truly want. She offers ways to define your next role, from making a personal list of priorities to framing your goals around what you want to do to looking for evidence that your ideal job exists. This conversation will help you trust yourself and move toward work that fits your life today.
About Our Guest:
- Jennifer Schwartz is an executive and life coach.
Resources in This Episode:
- Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.
Transcript
Find Your Dream Job, Episode 539:
What Do You Really Want? with Jennifer Schwartz
Airdate: February 18, 2026
Mac Prichard:
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 your host, Mac Prichard. I’m also the founder of Mac’s List. It’s a job board in the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career.
Every Wednesday, I talk to a different expert about the tools you need to get the work you want.
Tell your friends you’re ready to change jobs, and they will ask you this: “What are you looking for?”
Sounds like a simple question, doesn’t it? But your answer makes a huge difference in the success of your job search.
Jennifer Schwartz is here to talk about how to answer the question: What do you really want?
She’s an executive and life coach, and Jennifer supports high achievers who’ve checked every box and still feel something’s missing.
She joins us from New York City.
Well, let’s jump right into it, Jennifer. Why does knowing what you want matter before you start your job search? Shouldn’t you be open to all possibilities?
Jennifer Schwartz:
Well, I actually believe that knowing what you want will actually help you get there. It’s like a GPS system. It’s like putting the actual destination into the GPS as opposed to saying, “I could go anywhere,” right? Like, I’m open to where you want to take me, car, GPS.
So it’s a focused approach to saying, this is what I desire. This is what I want, and then putting your hands up and saying, “Okay, let’s see where we go from there.”
Mac Prichard:
And how does that change the way you look for work when you know where you want to go rather than being ready to go anywhere?
Jennifer Schwartz:
It actually helps you focus your energy, and it helps you match your energy to what you want. Some people might even call that manifesting. I often do.
And what I think about that is that it helps you literally name what you want, see what you want, maybe even you visualize what you want or journal about it.
And it helps you get there faster because when you have a destination in mind, you can actually think about who do I need to be and what energy do I need to be to match that thing.
So we’re talking about jobs in this case, and you want to actually name what you want so that you can raise your energetic vibration to match what it is that you’re really looking for.
Mac Prichard:
So those are the benefits of knowing what you want when you’re doing a job search. What stops people, especially candidates, from figuring this out? Because many people struggle with this, don’t they, Jennifer?
Jennifer Schwartz:
So much. I think there’s a ton of imposter syndrome. Can I really do this? Am I supposed to be in this role? Am I supposed to be in that job? Should I be naming that I want this amount of money? Is that too much?
There’s a lot I imagine, you know, that people really say, “I don’t know if this is for me. I don’t know if I’m there yet. I don’t know if I have the expertise or if I really have the qualifications to get there.”
A lot of them can be wrapped up in this, you know, the key phrase, the buzzword of imposter syndrome. But I find that creates not just road bumps on your path, but it can really create a brick wall for so many of us on our path.
Mac Prichard:
So, imposter syndrome is one barrier to answering that question. What do I really want? What are some of the other barriers that you see that stop people from answering that question?
Jennifer Schwartz:
I think fear, I think a lot of fear, just like people saying, I know that I’ve come from a world of just a lot of high achievers. So sometimes people say, I don’t really know if I wanna work this hard for the rest of my life. I don’t really know if I wanna sign up for this, or it’s a little bit too scary to take that role.
Can I really do it? So I think… You know, imposter syndrome is a type of fear, but I think fear, just like all encompassing, a lot of people get in their own way with fear, you know, and we’ll call it like limiting beliefs or rules that they’ve made up about themselves, of that’s not really what I can do.
Mac Prichard:
Yeah. So, imposter syndrome, fear, limiting beliefs, these are some of the barriers that stop in the way of answering the question, “What do you really want?” And I want to talk about how to get through those barriers.
Before we do that, Jennifer, what mistakes do you see people make in trying to answer this question? What are some of the wrong turns they might take as they try to figure out where they want to go?
Jennifer Schwartz:
I think the big wrong turn that people say is not what do I want, but what should I want? Maybe it’s, you know, and whenever we use the term should, you know, it’s a clue that it might not actually be yours.
It might be someone else’s expectation. It might be someone else’s desire for you. Could be a parent. It could be a friend. It could be, you know, something that you think that you should be doing instead of what you actually want to do.
Mac Prichard:
Well, let’s talk about how to figure it out. I know one of the first steps you recommend is creating a bullet list of what you want in your next job. Why start there? Why is that a good starting point?
Jennifer Schwartz:
I think because there are so many times when I’m in conversation with people, where they just kind of run themselves in circles in their head. Can I really want that? Is that really for me? Is this something that I want? Should I want this?
And what I say is like almost brain dumping or heart dumping out onto paper and making this real bullet point list with, you know, kind of no rhyme or reason. It could be anything and everything of what you really want in this next career move or in this next job.
And so I really call it a bullet point list or a manifesting list of everything that you might want in a job. It could be, and it could be the most outrageous things or the most silly things that you’re like, this doesn’t even make sense why I want this, but it could be things, you know, from a practical standpoint of, okay, what is the salary that you really want to be making, not what’s realistic or what is really here for you, but what is this dream salary that you want in this next dream role?
What do you want your dynamics with your coworkers to be? How do you want to feel every day going into work, whether it’s hybrid, remote or in office? How do you actually want to feel? What is your job title? Really naming it. What do you want it to be? Maybe you’re naming it and making it up.
Maybe it’s something that exists, maybe it’s something that doesn’t exist, but actually using some keywords for yourself. So those are a little bit more what might be expected on the list.
What is probably unexpected on the list is what might you wear to work? What is your commute time? If you’re going into the office, what are your snacks in the office?
You know, what might the lighting be in the office? What would the office actually look like if you’re going in office? So it’s really everything and anything that you could think about your next job for a list like that.
And I’ve had people say, I actually want a full-time salary and I want to work part-time. Things that are just like, that’s outrageous. That doesn’t make sense. But they’re like, I’m putting it on the list. And, you know, two years later, that person actually got that thing.
Mac Prichard:
Say more about that. What happens when you take ideas, wants and desires that are in your head and you put them down on paper? What have you seen happen with the people you coach who do that?
Jennifer Schwartz:
It’s a tangible way of claiming what you want. And I think that it’s actually a really important technique, so that it’s not just kind of mulling over inside of you. It’s a way of sharing. It’s a way of naming something. It’s a way of putting your energy, quote unquote, out there to put your order in of what you really want, right?
And when you’re in an interview or when you’re actually considering a job, you actually start to look through that lens of, well, is it on my list? Is it not on my list? And you actually start to see things in a brand new way when you’ve named it as something that you want. It’s almost like your dream job description in a way.
Mac Prichard:
And many people, when they’re doing a job search, they look at the employer’s list. It’s called the position description. When you’re working with people, have you found that most people don’t have a list of wants and desires like this, this bullet list you’re recommending?
Jennifer Schwartz:
Absolutely, they do not and a lot of people say well, “What’s available? What’s out there? What is someone looking for? Where can I slot myself into? Their company their role. What do they need from me,” as opposed to, “What do I want? What can I offer?”
It’s actually just a total perspective shift and a total reframe that I’ve that I find with working with people creates way more of a win-win when someone comes from that perspective as opposed to really almost being defensive and on their back heels to being in the offense and leaning forward and saying, “This is what I want. This is what I can really do my best work and feel really good day to day and bring my best energy.”
Mac Prichard:
Well, I want to pause here, Jennifer. Stay with us. When we come back from the break, Jennifer Schwartz will continue to share her advice about how to answer the question, what do you really want?
We’re back in the Mac’s List Studio. I’m talking with Jennifer Schwartz.
She’s an executive and life coach, and Jennifer supports high achievers who’ve checked every box and still feel something’s missing.
She joins us from New York City.
Now, Jennifer, before the break, we’re talking about how to answer the question, what do you really want? And we talked about why people struggle with this, some of the barriers that stand in the way. And now we’re talking about how to overcome those barriers.
You suggested starting with a bullet list of things that you really want. Another step I know you recommend for answering this question is to say what you want to do instead of what you don’t want. Why is it important to talk about what you want rather than what you don’t want?
Jennifer Schwartz:
Yeah, I love talking about this because I think when we, when we say something like when we say, I, you know, I really don’t want a job that is an hour and a half commute. I don’t want my boss to be really difficult and demand so many things. It’s so easy to go there because oftentimes, what we’ve had in the past, we’re looking for something different.
But actually, when you’re raising your energy and when you’re being clear about what you want, it’s actually really important to, we’ll say, state it in the positive and say, you know, and use the flip side because there’s something that actually translates in your mind about, this is what I’m looking for. This is what I do want.
And really then sharing that with others. So, saying very clearly, this is what I do want. I want a boss who is just a real champion for me, really supportive of what I’m doing, and that I also have really great autonomy in this role. I do want my commute to be 20 minutes, even when it’s trafficky, right? And so it’s kind of these tangible, stating it in the positive of what I do want.
Mac Prichard:
And how does that shift conversations when you say, I want a 20-minute commute instead of I don’t want to commute an hour and a half. What happens when you talk to people, and you focus on the positive things that you want?
Jennifer Schwartz:
People actually feel your positive energy. They feel your excitement, your, this is what I’m here for, this is what I’m looking for, this is what I’m about, this is what gets me revved up, this is what gets me excited for this job. When you state something in the, we’ll say in the more negative, then people are kind of more listening about like. “Well, how can I support you? How can I help? What can I do to make things better,” as opposed to, wow, that person has great energy.
I really want to support them in finding their passion, finding that path for them, as opposed to just kind of helping them from more of a negative point of view. Does that make sense?
Mac Prichard:
It does, and also it makes it easier for people to say yes to what you want to think of ways they can help you. Doesn’t it?
Jennifer Schwartz:
Totally. Yeah, absolutely. And you’re also helping people, like you’re giving them an ask and you’re saying like, ‘Could you help me do this?” You know, we call it like your highest and greatest ask.
Mac Prichard:
Another step you recommend someone take to answer that question, what do you really want, is to seek proof for what you do want to do. What do you mean by proof? Are you talking about finding examples of people who are doing what you want? What do you have in mind?
Jennifer Schwartz:
Yeah, so a lot of times I find that people actually want something that doesn’t fully exist. There are so many of us, a lot of high achievers actually are taking, I’ll say, a really windy path, at least the people that I work with, especially in their careers. And a linear path doesn’t exist really as much anymore.
And so when you’re actually seeking proof, you’re saying, well, “Where can I actually do something that’s a little revolutionary? What do I want?” And you’re seeing, can this exist? Maybe it hasn’t ever happened at your job before. Maybe it hasn’t happened at this role, but you’re like, I still want that anyway.
And so you might actually look in some version of someone in a different industry, or it might be a friend of a friend that you’re like, “Oh, they did something that I really want.”
And we’ll say like, you’re actually finding that it exists out there in the world as opposed to, “Well, I can’t drop down to a few hours and get paid the same amount. That just doesn’t happen here.” Instead, be like, “Well, where could it happen? How could it happen?” Maybe there is proof of that happening, or maybe I’m the first trailblazer to blaze this trail.
Mac Prichard:
If you do find somebody who’s doing what you want, what do you recommend doing? Should you ask them for advice or approach them in another way? What have you seen work with the clients you coach?
Jennifer Schwartz:
I think a 15-minute conversation goes a really long way. And it usually helps someone say, wow, that is capable. I am able to do that. Or that person did that. How did they do that? What did they need to know? Or what did they need to believe? Or what did they need to trust about themselves to really go for that thing?
Mac Prichard:
Another step you recommend to answer that question, what do you really want, is to avoid sticking to a path that you may have committed to earlier and digging in, and candidly letting inertia take over. Say more about this. What do you mean exactly, and how does it help you figure out what you want to do next if you understand that you’ve dug in on a path?
Jennifer Schwartz:
So, so many people I work with, and me included, I’ll be the first to raise my hand, signed themselves up for a path, for a career path a long time ago. So it could be, you know, three years ago, five years ago, 10 years ago. And they said, I’m gonna do this and I’m going to build my career in this way. And you know what? Sometimes things change.
Dreams change, desires change, life changes, and things that you might not have considered way back when, when you got that degree, or you went to school, or you started that first job and you’re kind of climbing the corporate ladder, per se.
And allowing yourself to be flexible and to really have your marked goalposts of, do I really want this now? Is this what I want anymore? And let yourself pivot as needed and be flexible in the process.
Mac Prichard:
In your experience, working with people at different stages of their careers, and most of us will be in the workplace for 40 plus years, is it natural for people to change and evolve, and to have different goals and different seasons in their careers?
Jennifer Schwartz:
It’s completely natural. Yeah. And I think it’s actually really healthy. We change in who we are. We change in our seasons of life. We change in our desires and our wants.
And each time we change, things shift in our lifestyle and in who we are, how we get to show up, maybe how much we want to work, what we want. And that all affects what we can really bring to the workplace and to our jobs and our careers.
So I think it’s extremely natural to want different things than when you will say put yourself on that career path X number of years ago.
Mac Prichard:
And do you find that people understand that that’s what’s happening, or do they feel that maybe they’re giving up, and what’s really happened? What’s been your experience, Jennifer?
Jennifer Schwartz:
I think a lot of people that I work with actually feel the term the golden handcuffs. And they’re like, well, I’m actually making a certain amount of money. It’s really hard for me to pivot now. Or I can’t pivot. I don’t really know if my skills are transferable.
And that’s where those 15-minute conversations and seeking proof of who has done that. How can you do it? Let’s see if it’s in the cards for what you still want by the end of a few conversations.
And really trusting yourself to make a leap if you really do want that. I’ve worked with a lot of people who said, I can’t do it because of the money that I’m making and I need to just continue that path. And I always say to them, if you made the same amount of money or more in your next role, would you want to make that pivot?
Nine times out of 10, they say, actually, yeah. And then we find the way to do that, and let money just be there and not be the deciding factor.
Mac Prichard:
Well, it’s been a great conversation, Jennifer. Now tell us what’s next for you.
Jennifer Schwartz:
Well, I lead a community of women called the Drop-in Community. And it’s a beautiful, intentional group of women who are executives, entrepreneurs, creatives, really leaders of all kinds.
And we kick off every single Monday morning with a 30-minute call to really drop into yourself first with meditation, with journaling, with intention setting before you head off into your week.
And so the majority of women who work with me really come through the drop-in community, and it’s just a beautiful space to tap into your dreams, tap into your desires, and raise your energetic vibration each week.
Mac Prichard:
Well, I know our audience can learn more about you, your work, and your community by visiting your website. That address is jenniferschwarz.coach. And you also invite audience members to connect with you on LinkedIn.
So when you do reach out to Jennifer on LinkedIn, please mention you heard or saw her on Find Your Dream Job.
Now, Jennifer, given all the great advice you’ve shared today, what’s the one thing you want our audience to remember about how to answer the question, “What do you really want?”
Jennifer Schwartz:
The one thing is it’s really about your energy. So following your energy, what lights you up, what feels good, what excites you, and remember that your energy is more in your control than you might think it is.
And so naming what you really want to match your energetic vibration and raise it is what I believe is the key to finding your next dream job.
Mac Prichard:
Next week, our guest will be Ashlie Journet.
She’s a recruiter and HR professional and runs The Candidate Advocate Resume Writing Services.
Employers hire problem solvers.
But in applications and interviews, most candidates focus on past responsibilities, not results.
Join us next Wednesday when Ashlie Journet and I discuss why you need to track and talk about your wins.
Until next time, thanks for letting us help you find your dream job.
This show is produced by Mac’s List.
Susan Thornton-Hough schedules our guests and writes our newsletter. Lisa Kislingbury Anderson manages our social media and creates our transcripts.
Our sound engineer and editor is Anna McClain. And our music is by Freddy Trujillo.
This is Mac Prichard. See you next week.
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