Top 10 Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams
By Laurie A. Huth and Anya Korepanova
So, you’re looking for a new job - one that matches your skill set, is geographically desirable, and offers a competitive salary and benefits package. May I add one more requirement to that list? How about a job that is directly aligned with your true purpose and passions? How about a job that you find truly inspiring?
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, said this thousands of years ago. It still holds true today. We all have to work. We all need to find some way to earn money.
Unfortunately, I can’t offer you any get-rich-quick schemes. However, if you are going to invest 40-60 hours a week in your job, why not make it a job you are truly passionate about? Those 40-60 hours will now be invested in YOUR passions and purpose. You will be cultivating YOUR beliefs and YOUR core values - and best of all, you will get paid to do so!
So how do you get one of these dream jobs? Here’s our “Top 10 Tips” to help you:
1. Don’t just find a job; find a dream job! Become acutely aware of what your true life purpose is and connect with your passions.
2. Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the center of it. On the left side, list all the skills you enjoy doing and things that come naturally to you. What do people say about you? That you’re a great communicator, that you manage tasks effectively? Identify the skills you currently possess that could be transferable to your next job or new career.
3. On the right side of the paper, list the skills you’ve become good at over the years but never really liked doing. These skills become part of your ‘What not to do’ list. To find a job that is aligned with your purpose, you should embrace your strengths - not continue getting good at your weaknesses!
4. Become very clear about what type of job/career you want. Be specific. If you want a job that pays a certain amount per year, write that down. If you want your job to be located in a certain industry sector, particular company or location, write that down. The goal is to write down as many details as possible about your dream job.
5. If you need assistance, hire a professional to write your resume and cover letter. This is particularly important, since people who specialize in resume writing will be able to highlight your skills and accomplishments in a manner that will exhibit your strengths.
6. Envision yourself already having the job of your dreams. What roles and responsibilities would you have? What does your day look like? What type of people might you encounter? What are you wearing to your perfect place of employment?
7. Repeat step 6 – again and again. I am a firm believer that ‘what you think about, you bring about’. After all, if you can’t envision your new dream job or don’t have enough belief in yourself, why should an employer have belief in you and give you the dream job?
8. Leverage your connections. List all your acquaintances, resources, and connections who already perform jobs that you would like. Reach out to these people for an informational discussion to learn more the field or company you are considering.
9. Devote time to your job search. Looking for a job is a full time job; make sure that you treat your search as such.
10. Don’t get discouraged. Believe in yourself. Know that the steps you are taking and connections you are forming will eventually lead you to that dream job. So keep at it!
As you become aware of exactly what you want in your new job, you will be surprised how dream job postings will appear and the right introductions will be made. Being prepared, knowing what you want, and having the right attitude will help you create and take advantage of these opportunities.
Laurie A. Huth and Anya Korepanova are co-founders of Dreamline Coach, a coaching and growth services company for professionals. You can find other useful tips and inspirational information at http://www.dreamlinecoach.com.
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