Finding a job that suits the personality, education and work experience of anyone is difficult. In a competitive and fluctuating job market, it can seem almost impossible. Sometimes the dream job imagined as a child or as a college co-ed seems far off and is easily forgotten. This does not have to be. Even in a changing economy, jobs are still attainable, and gaining work experience and developing the skill set needed to get ahead are all possible.
Believe the Dream Job is Attainable
First, be very clear on what the dream job is and the type of career wanted. It is not enough to know or work in the desired field. It is best to know exactly the position to aim for. The best jobs require a skill set that is developed over time and through work experience. Knowing what the dream job is will help to focus and hone in on the skill set that is needed to build the career and get the dream job.
But knowing what the dream job is will not be enough. Believing that it can be attained is also important. In Ford R. Myers' book, Get The Job You Want, Myers points out that having the right mindset and skill set will accelerate the job search and elevate anyone over other job candidates. Myers believes that one of the most important building blocks in a career is the belief in oneself and having the right attitude will help anyone their dream job.
Prepare for the Dream Job
Personal qualities are an important aspect to consider when making any career decisions. Being honest and truthful about strengths and weaknesses is important when considering any job. For example, morning people may not want to consider jobs that require an overnight schedule. Making a personal assessment and evaluating the goals and qualities of specific careers may help bring the dream job into focus.
Dream Jobs Demand Strong Skill Sets
Landing the dream job means having the knowledge and skill set required. Knowing what is needed and making the effort to meet these requirements is most important in any career. If a graduate degree or special certification or specific work experience is required, make the necessary steps to meet these points. All job candidates should have a checklist for their dream job that they can mark off as they move closer to their goal.
In addition to meeting the education and work experience required for the dream job, every job candidate should work to build the skill set all high level jobs require. Developing and honing these skills are important to any career but is most important to the ambitious job candidate. Sometimes the skills needed are obvious. Most jobs require time management, personal organization, communication, public speaking and basic computer skills.
Dream Jobs Require a Broad Scope of Experience
Still, the most desirable and powerful positions require a certain nuance and special skills that may not be obvious to the untrained eye. To learn these skills, look to the people who already hold the dream position. If at all possible, interview them and ask pointed questions about their day-to-day life and their success. Ask for internship opportunities or the chance to work as an assistant. Remember, today’s assistant is often tomorrow’s executive.
Further, having a broad scope of experience is often the key to the success of those who have the jobs everyone dreams of. Most of the people at the top of the heap have worked at every rung of the ladder for a diverse range of experience. Those who want to experience that same hint of success should follow suit.
Job hunters on the path to the dream job must first believe that their dream job is attainable and then work to prepare for this job as though it already exists. Preparation includes assessing and working to improve personal strengths and diminish weaknesses. Job hunters should also hone their skills and embrace a broad scope of experience. In the second part of the series, job hunters will learn how to land their dream job through networking and work experience.
The next step for job hunters is to land the dream job. To learn more about this process, read the article Landing the Dream Job.
Reference:
Myers, Ford J. Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring: Take Charge of Your Career, Find a Job You Love, and Earn What You Deserve. West Sussex, UK: Wiley, 2009. ISBN: 978-0470457412
Nascha Joli - Nascha A. Joli is a freelance writer and editor based in her native city of New York. Miss Joli received her BA in Economics from the City ...
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