Want to Land Your Dream Job? Then Follow This Advice
If you find yourself on job boards frequently or dreaming of the weekend as soon as Monday rolls around, chances are you aren’t working your ideal job. No matter how you landed the gig you have now, it will take some serious work to move forward and find the perfect job for you.
If the process of looking for a new job seems overwhelming or you don’t even know where to begin the journey to finding work you love, this is the article for you. Regardless of what occupation you want to pursue, we’ve outlined some solid advice below to help you reach your goals no matter what they are.
Decide What You’d Love to Do
When we’re talking dream jobs, we aren’t just talking about work that will earn you sufficient income. While income is undoubtedly an important consideration when choosing a career path, it’s most certainly not the only one. To land the best possible job you can, you’ll first need to get incredibly clear on what you want to do.
Maybe you already have a crystal clear picture of what your passion is. But, perhaps you don’t. If you’re in the latter group, don’t worry, finding a fulfilling career path is easier than you think.
Finding Your Passion
To start, get out a notebook and jot down all of the things you can think of that make you happy. Try not to get too caught up in how these things would apply to a job, or even whether or not these things will make you “good” money. Just focus on what makes you happy.
After you’ve considered what fuels your happiness, look for any opportunity hidden in your list. Do some research and figure out if any of your interests line up with a remarkable career that maybe you haven’t heard of or given much thought to before. There are new jobs created every single day, and there is indeed something out there for everyone.
Once you’ve identified a few different occupations that line up with your values and what makes you joyful, dig in and figure out which job (or jobs) typically earn salaries consistent with your current pay or how much you want to make.
Dream Job
Inform Yourself
Following your dreams and landing a gig that’s perfect for you is going to take some work. You’ll likely have to make yourself uncomfortable before you can settle into a job you love. Part of this process means educating yourself, even if you feel swamped by the responsibilities you currently have.
If you already have the formal education for the job you want, congratulations! You are one step closer to landing your dream job. But if your training doesn’t precisely line up with what you want to do, don’t fret. Plenty of people are out their landing the jobs of their dreams even if they started with a different goal in mind.
Regardless of where you stand education wise, take time to research the career field you’re pursuing and find out what the leaders in that industry are doing. Social media makes this step incredibly easy. By following and liking the leaders in your desired career field, you’ll expose yourself to the ins and outs of the industry without even having to leave your couch.
Also, if you do need specialized skills or education for the job you want to do, start seeking out opportunities to learn. In addition to traditional methods like college or graduate school, there are numerous ways to develop the skills you’ll need for the job of your dreams. Keep your mind open and use your free time productively.
Network, Network, Network
As mentioned above, social media has made it incredibly easy to engage with leaders and those we admire. More often than not, successful individuals have a pretty serious social media presence that they use to reach out to their peers and followers. But in this digital age, it is important to remember that social media is not the only networking tool available to us.
No matter where you are at in your career journey, keep your ears open for opportunities to meet people that are doing the job you’d love to do. Whether they are just starting out, or have risen to the level of an industry leader, your friendship with them will help you propel your career forward.
Of course, you can’t expect people to hand you the job you want. Show a genuine interest in getting to know the people you admire and use these interactions to inspire your growth. The more friends you make in the industry you want to be a part of, the more likely it is that you’ll find the job opportunities you’re seeking.
As an added benefit, networking will show others that you are serious about your interest in finding your dream job. And when people know how hard you are working to develop your professional skills, they are more likely to recommend you to open positions that could lead you to the career you’ve been craving.
Ease Into It
It can be easy to get caught up in the dream life and forget that transitions are always tricky at first. Taking the necessary time to ease into a new career path can help guarantee that you won’t get overwhelmed too quickly.
Additionally, by exploring your passion a little bit at a time, you can keep your current flow of income and stability. It’s like test driving a car. You wouldn’t invest in a new car without trying it out, don’t invest in a new career without trying it out.
Luckily, there are many ways to try out new industries without making a full-fledged jump from where you stand now. Consider volunteer opportunities, workshops, or even side-gigs. If you have the time available, maybe also find a part-time job that would align with where you want to end up.
Keep in mind that when forging into new territory career-wise, your focus should be on developing the skills you need to perform the job you want to work. Stay focused on the work you want to do, and you’ll start to see skill-building opportunities in unexpected places.
Market Yourself
We’ve all heard about the pros of having a great resume. The concept has been drilled into our minds since middle school. But to land the job of your dreams, you will need to learn how to market yourself far beyond just having an adequate resume.
Online
We’ve touched on social media above, but here is a particularly eye-opening statistic: Seventy percent of employers use social media to pre-screen potential job candidates. Clearly, this statistic shows the importance of maintaining a professional presence online.
In addition to screening social media profiles for potential pitfalls of new employees, an active online presence shows off tech skills. Employers today want candidates who are well versed in technology. A lack of online presence is a bit of a red flag. The following platforms are an excellent place to start building yourself up:
https://youtu.be/T5rnBgda5bo
Keep in mind that social media accounts are a great place to show potential employers the human behind a resume. You can highlight volunteer work, accomplishments, skills and interests through several different social media platforms. Also, for those with ample followers, your social skills may be seen as a boon to your future company.
In Person
How you present yourself to others is crucial when trying to land a new job. If the career you’ve always dreamed of is out of your current scope of education or experience, the way that you present yourself is even more critical.
Of course, when dealing with any professional environment, it is essential to look the part. But, aside from dressing nice and being well-groomed, your overall demeanor can say a lot about how you’ll fit into a work environment. In general, employers want driven employees with positive attitudes.
Work to exude the professional attitude you aim for in all of your day-to-day activities. This practice will make you more comfortable when it comes time to meet a potential employer. In fact, if you present yourself as a confident professional, you may find yourself reaching a potential employer in any number of everyday situations.
Show the world that you are intelligent, driven, and dedicated to your success. These traits will spark interest from the leaders in your desired industry and open up more doors for you. Remember, any step forward is progress, and even the smallest impression can be lasting.
Overall, landing your dream job may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but it’s not. Millions of people have been in your situation before, and after you implement these tips, you’ll be one step closer to joining this group. Keep your eyes open for opportunity, conduct yourself professionally, and stay informed. You’ll find your dream job and be happier for it.
Featured image: CC0 Public Domain Pixabay via Maxpixel, with banner, text, and logo added.
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