For some, a job is merely a source of income and a way to pay the bills. They treat their work and their dreams as two completely separate things. But why? Doesn’t it make sense to try and merge the two?
You might think chasing your dream job is out of reach. But we promise you can integrate work with a meaningful, fun and fulfilling life. You just have to know how to connect the dots between what you need in life and what you want in life. You have to ask yourself:
Having answered these questions and connected the dots, you can now get to work landing your dream job. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way.
Networking is essentially applying for jobs that have never been listed. And as most great jobs get filled before reaching the advertising stage, having connections in the right places counts. Network with the companies you’re interested in and make sure they know who you are and what your skill set is. They’ll soon come knocking.
Great companies hire good people who are not afraid to educate themselves in the quest for quality improvement. Show you are willing to learn by enrolling yourself in as many courses as you can. Is your dream job in marketing? Consider studying psychology to ‘get to know’ your audience. Study with the International Career Institute and you can do this in your own time.
Your resume might be the first place that people look, but it’s not where any good company stops its search. Create a portfolio that represents who you are and what you stand for via LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook too. Hiring professionals will be looking in these places to discover what you’ve accomplished in both your life and career.
How much you earn is important, but try not to put it at the forefront of your career search. If you’re truly good at what you do, the money will come. Be prepared to start low and prove yourself. If you’ve chosen a career you are passionate about, you’ll soon rise up the ladder and the paycheck will move along with each rung.
Gratitude is an excellent trait to master, as most people are looking to work with grateful, humble and genuine people who give it their all. If you feel you are slacking in your current job, prove you are worthy of a dream job by going the extra mile to build better habits. Happiness is a choice after all, and you never know, once you start lifting your game, your job might not seem that bad.
Study the market and get to know the companies you want to work for. Keep an eye on their news, what their culture is like and what their current priorities are. Are they expanding or downsizing? Are they getting acquired? Where do they stand within their industry relative to their peers?
Your cover letter can make or break your application, so get it right. Make sure it’s clear how you meet the specific job requirements and why you want the job. Be specific when listing your skills, such as “I have three years experience working with Photoshop as an image retoucher at the Telegraph”. Don’t just focus on yourself – include points about what the company is looking for. And no matter what, address the cover letter correctly. Addressing people by their name and position title is standard business etiquette.
If you’re not happy with your first offer, negotiate. Most employers expect you to negotiate somewhat. Want more cash in your pocket? Ask. Want a little flexibility to work from home on some days? Ask. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Just be careful not to come across as non-negotiable.
Reaching your career aspirations isn’t all that difficult with the right attitude. Recruiters appreciate a “passive candidate”– a person performing so well in their current job that doesn’t necessarily look to want to leave. Scoring your dream job really does come down to your attitude, so make it positive at all times. No one’s going to employ a person who’s unhappy or having performance issues, so start thinking positively about where you’re at today and build from there. Your dream job will then be that much closer in your reach.
Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.
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