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Building Meaningful Matches in Talent Acquisition: Joy Reimer’s Job Search Success Story

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Sometimes, a LinkedIn connection from the past can change the course of your job search. On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Joy Reimer, the sole recruiter at Century West Engineering, shares how staying active and engaged on LinkedIn eventually led her to the role she holds today. Joy says the key is to keep showing up, stay positive, and not overlook the connections you’ve already made.

She also talks about the habits that made a difference in her search: thinking beyond a single job title, using AI tools to uncover roles she might not have found otherwise, and skipping the “easy apply” button in favor of going directly to company websites. Joy also makes the case that networking isn’t something you do only during a job search. It’s something you practice all the time. Along the way, she learned to celebrate small wins, brush off being ghosted, and trust her instincts when something didn’t feel right.

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Find Your Dream Job, Bonus Episode 89:

Building Meaningful Matches in Talent Acquisition: Joy Reimer’s Job Search Success Story

Airdate: March 9, 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.

One of the best ways to get good at job hunting is to talk to people who do it well.

That’s why once a month, I interview a Mac’s List reader who found a job they love.

Our guest today is Joy Reimer. She’s the sole recruiter at Century West Engineering.

It’s an employee-owned civil engineering firm in Bend, Oregon, that works across the Pacific Northwest.

Joy Reimer believes the job you want may be hiding in plain sight. In a story you can find on the Mac’s List website, Joy says one way to find the best opportunities is to look for alternate job titles for the position you want.

This will help you uncover jobs that might not appear obvious and that your competitors might miss, too.

She joins us from Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Joy, why do you love your job?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, that’s a great question. I work in a company of about 100 people, and one thing that I love is the ability to connect with each person that I need.

So if I have an IT problem, I can go and I talk to someone in IT, a direct response right away. The collaboration is so strong in the company. Every department’s teamwork ability is just so helpful. I’ve had moments where, as the only recruiter, maybe a career fair’s coming up, and I can go, is anyone else able to join me for this?

And I’ll get multiple volunteers. And it just reminds me that everyone’s goal is the same, and everyone wants the best for the company. So everyone helps and pitches in. So I just feel very connected that way.

Mac Prichard:

Terrific. Let’s talk about your job search, Joy. How did you first learn about this position, the one you have now at Century West?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, so this is going to sound like a LinkedIn advertisement, but it was a truly poetic experience. I ended up having an interview with a recruiter, and after the interview, we connected on LinkedIn, and it didn’t move forward with that interview, but still, you know, having that ability to kind of make that connection and move forward.

Then months later, I got on LinkedIn, and I saw that the connection had liked a post, and that post was the person leaving this company. “Hey, I’m a recruiter, I’m leaving, I need to have someone fill my spot.” So by the person liking that post, it connected me to see the opening.

So then I direct messaged that person who had the opportunity and got the phone interview, got the hiring manager interview, and got the job. So if I hadn’t had that connection, I wouldn’t have seen it.

It just describes how LinkedIn can be so helpful in connecting you to many people that you wouldn’t expect either. So it was amazing. It was just such a great, great feeling to actually feel seen in that moment.

Mac Prichard:

And what inspired you to connect with this recruiter on LinkedIn? Is that a habit that you’ve practiced throughout your career to connect with people that you meet professionally?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, and actually it was more on, they initiated that, and it really helped me realize too, you know, that when you connect with someone, when you talk with them, it doesn’t need to be a job opportunity right then. You can utilize that connection later.

And one thing that I was at a company, and my manager, the day I started, suggested connecting with anybody in the company. And you know, hey, send a message, send a connection, and say, “I am new to the company, nice to meet you early. I’ll see you around.”

And I was a little intimidated by that, but it was such a broadening experience for putting myself out there. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone doesn’t accept my connection. And I have a relevant reason I’m at the company.

So it really did grow my network, and it really put that kind of key piece in my mind of just because I’m not, you know, moving directly forward somewhere that could still help me. That was great.

Mac Prichard:

What kind of LinkedIn habits do you practice regularly? Some people might turn to LinkedIn or other online platforms only during a job search. What do you try to do, Joy?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, I really don’t post too much on LinkedIn. I’m not someone who has a bunch of stories to share or things like that, but I really am a believer in finding connections, finding any type of things in common. If there’s a story that someone else posts, I will like it or share it with someone.

Being a little bit of that consistent presence on LinkedIn is very helpful. And you can really learn more about other companies, too. There are things that maybe I see someone from high school who is now at a company. And I then researched that company, and I didn’t even know it was in the area, or many different things.

But really going to a networking event and opening myself up there and going, “Okay, I don’t know if I’m ever gonna talk to this person again, but let’s connect on LinkedIn.” And we just, you know, do that. And then it can just lead to so many other conversations, opportunities. Just putting yourself out there is the main way to kind of feel like you’re always on top of it.

Because when you’re going on LinkedIn and in a desperate attempt to find a job, it can feel very daunting, and it can feel like you need urgency. I need to get this now. But if you’re always kind of looking, then you might be surprised at the connections later.

Mac Prichard:

Let’s talk more about your job search. One of the things that you encouraged our readers in the article that you wrote for our website to consider is not focus on one job title alone.

Why is this important, Joy, and how did your search expand when you didn’t focus just on the title recruiter?

Joy Reimer:

Yes. I think it’s such a great way to broaden your search, your mind. So yes, I can start my job search by going, I’m a recruiter, type that in, you know, word, and just say, show me what openings there are.

Then, wait, a recruiter does phone interviews. We do help with the background. We help with the job posting. We help manage hiring managers, HR, and candidates’ experience. There are so many areas in which we are strong.

So typing that into something like ChatGPT and really having it assist me, you know, it’s not doing the job for me, but it’s, I’m typing in the prompts. This is what I do. This is what I am looking for in my next job.

And then it can kind of generate and say, you could be a sourcing specialist. You can be a talent acquisition partner. Based on your skill set, you actually are a specialist. Maybe you could also be a recruiting leader, you know, different wording that I’m not always looking for.

And then that opens up so many more possibilities, even the word partnership, talent acquisition partner, that was different from a recruiter. A recruiter could be way more limiting in what my skills were.

Mac Prichard:

So think about what you want to do next, come up with a list of things you enjoy doing, and then go to AI, ChatGPT, or another tool and ask for a list of job postings or job titles, rather. And was the response you got overwhelming at times, or was it a manageable list?

Joy Reimer:

It was a manageable list. It was really something that gave me more confidence because you could feel a little bit pinned into a corner, you know, okay, this is, this is the only opportunity I am qualified for.

And then you go online, you see a bunch of job postings that have that easy apply option and they just don’t feel like quality, you know, opportunities. I feel like the dead end is approaching me when I see some of that.

And then yeah, seeing the list just brought me back to, okay, this is what I’m qualified for. And yeah, I can actually apply to a partner role or, you know, different, different areas. So it was more motivating and uplifting rather than daunting.

Mac Prichard:

Well, you mentioned the easy apply button that many online job boards offer. And in your story for us, you encourage people to avoid it. Why are you not a fan of easy apply?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, I feel like easy apply. It could work for some, and there might be people who are like, that is what I live by. I mean, how could anyone not? But it goes against my entire real belief that we need to network, connect, and be in front and give our personality and really show who we are beyond the words on our resume.

So it’s just to me, you click easy apply, you immediately are in a massive pool of people that hundreds even it’ll show you a hundred people clicked that doesn’t mean they actually applied but it’s it’s a lot and if you do something like you see that you can do that and it maybe will generate a result but I see that and go how can I make myself stand out more?

So I’ll go to the website, maybe you know if I can, I’ll see where I can find the job posting on their direct website, and then I’ll apply there, and then that puts you in a different pool of people that can be seen by the recruiter directly in their ATS. Like, they can see less of those applicants because you did do two more steps.

You had to go to the company website, find the career page, find the job posting, and apply. But I think that will make you stand out more than just that one click, and then it’s gone. And I just didn’t have success with that. I think that it needs a little bit more, even a direct message if you can, that could help too, but.

Mac Prichard:

Yeah, so go to the company or organization’s career page if you can find an email address or another way to communicate directly with the recruiter. You mentioned networking several times, Joy.

How can networking make you stand out? I’m curious to hear your perspective because you’ve been both a candidate and obviously your recruiter, so what do you see candidates do effectively when it comes to networking to stand out?

Joy Reimer:

I think that when I see someone reach out, they email me separately, directly from the job posting, or they call. I never think that’s overdoing it. I think that it just shows such passion. It shows that there’s intrigue, and then I want to be able to help.

That is the one thing I also really love is being able to answer questions and find the fit for someone. So networking is just such a big connecting piece. There could be someone who knows someone that I know, and they’re, hey, I know so and so, they worked with you, it looks like, you know, how did, how did you like working there?

And then it just opens up a conversation. And in that conversation, I might go, you know, we have some opportunities here. How about we take a look at what we’ve got going on at Century West for you. And it, I just, I can’t preach it enough.

I just think that we live in a world where we’re using AI, and that’s great, but it does take away so much personal connection. So. Networking, going to events, you’re in the same boat as everyone.

I think just realizing that when you go to a networking event, it’s very intimidating, but everyone there is kind of in the same boat. They’re looking, they’re connecting, they’re learning. And so I just think that you might as well. There’s really nothing wrong with putting positive energy out there.

Mac Prichard:

Sometimes when people reach out to recruiters, they don’t hear back. Did that happen in your search joy, and how did you deal with getting ghosted or silenced?

Joy Reimer:

Yes, getting ghosted is so rough. That is the full feel of disconnection. The feeling of closure was really hard to come by with the application process. Definitely would get ghosted after, I would kind of expect it. You apply, and I would expect not to hear from people. That’s kind of the sad nature of it.

But then I’ve even had it where I went to an on-site a couple of times. I would go to the interview and meet with the hiring managers. I’ve made it that far. And I wouldn’t hear anything. And that was just so shocking to me. I really had to make sure I channeled in and go, “This isn’t about me. It’s about the process.”

But I’m lucky. I’m a recruiter. I understand what the process can be, but it can be very disheartening. You feel like you’re doing something wrong. Your resume is completely off. I must’ve said something terrible.

You just go through all of the gymnastics there in your mind, but I really just go back to the origin and go, well, this was not the right one for me. They’re disorganized. I don’t want to work somewhere like this. And you just have to take yourself away from the attachment you might’ve felt and go on past it.

Mac Prichard:

Yeah, it’s hard not to take it personally, isn’t it? But I appreciate the point you’re making that if this is the way that employer functions or treats candidates, perhaps that’s not a place you want to be.

Joy Reimer:

Yeah, unfortunately, it kind of shows that that could be how it would go.

Mac Prichard:

Yeah. Another point you made in your story for us is the power of focusing on small wins in your job search. How did you do this when you were looking for work, and what kind of small wins would you celebrate?

Joy Reimer:

Wow, yes. Small wins would be making, you know, actually it would be something like getting to the next step in an interview or making a connection, and it doesn’t go anywhere, but really having a great conversation with that person, getting ideas for some other way to apply or search.

The small wins are really just staying positive, staying motivated, and being able to identify, I did my best there, you know, getting online and not just LinkedIn, but maybe other ways of browsing and searching the internet, and going, I’ve done my part today. I put in hours today. I put in the most I could. I’m really proud of myself for that.

And then taking that break and moving on. And then maybe the next day it’ll be, I had a phone interview, and I did really well. And I really liked the person I talked to. Then maybe you don’t hear anything from that, but you still have that good interaction. I learned how to answer that question better.

Oh wow. That was kind of a hard interview, but now I know how to answer that. And that’s a win, you know? So just really sometimes desperately trying to find the win.

Mac Prichard:

Joy, what’s your number one job hunting tip?

Joy Reimer:

I would say the number one tip is to be persistent, stay positive, don’t get discouraged, believe in yourself, message, message, message people, network, put yourself out there, and go with your gut as well.

This is maybe five million tips, but really go with your gut. If you are interviewing and you don’t have a good feeling, let yourself be heard, and just move on and keep searching for that right fit for yourself.

Mac Prichard:

Thank you for sharing your story, Joy. To learn more about Joy Reimer’s job search, visit macslist.org/stories.

And check out the Mac’s List website for dozens of other success stories.

On the second Friday of every month, we add a new interview with a Mac’s List reader who has found a dream job. Go to macslist.org/stories.

You can support our show and help others find it by leaving a review and rating on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Have a question or a suggestion? Email me at mac@macslist.org, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

To make sure you never miss an episode, sign up for our free weekly newsletter at macslist.org/podcasts.

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 Megan Hattie Stahl. Our music is by Freddy Trujillo.

This is Mac Prichard. See you next week.

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