A while ago, we asked you how you feel on a Monday morning. Do you feel eager to get back to work and do a job you love? Or are you dreading the alarm clock, wishing you didn’t have to get up and face the work week? If you hate Mondays, it may be time to look for another job, or even another line of work. But how do you find and get your dream job? It’s a process. You need to identify, prepare, and apply. Three simple steps to land your dream job.
Identify
Think about what job would make you feel engaged, productive, and challenged. What industry are you drawn to? Consider the type of work level, time commitment, and work-life balance you’re hoping to find in your dream job as well. The perfect position doesn’t have to be within your current skill set or industry, think outside the box to what would really make your work life exciting. Once you’ve identified your dream job, you can begin to prepare for it. In today’s economy it’s far easier to change industry, even profession.
Prepare
Research the job or industry that interests you. Do you need to take a class or work on particular skills? Enroll now and start expanding your abilities. Join networking groups in the industry you’re working to enter, make connections and learn more about both the industry and the jobs available. If you’re considering a small leap from one job to another within your current industry, look at how you can grow and get prepared within your current organization. There may be a dream job in your company. Do your best within the job you have now so that taking a chance on you in a different role makes sense to HR and hiring influencers. When you are prepared for a new challenge, it’s time to look at how to apply for your new dream job.
Apply
Are you ready to apply? Update your resume, cover letter, and social media accounts to reflect your current skills and goals, with an eye to marketing yourself for the job you want. Gather your referrals, let your networks (in particular Executive Recruiters) know about your change in direction and that you’re in the market again. Kick your new and old networks into gear by letting everyone know that you’re after your dream job. Now you apply for your dream job!
Once you land your ideal job, stay active in managing your career. Someday, this perfect position will be the one you’re dreaming of leaving! Rather than start from scratch again, keep learning new skills that interest you, keep in contact with your networks, and keep your resume and social media up to date. Actively managing your career means that you’re ready when that sudden opportunity comes along to land that next dream job!
Leave a Reply