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6 Tips to Land Your Dream Job

Posted On 04.15.08

Do you have a job that’s just like everyone else’s? Are you looking for a nine-to-five…but wish you weren’t? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work? I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called How’d You Score That Gig? (Ballantine Books). These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, internet business owners and more, have one thing in common – persistence.

As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Here are six tips to get you started:

    1. Learn about yourself. Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you’d be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.2. Don’t be deterred by a lack of experience. In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you’ll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.

    3. Ease into a new career one foot at a time. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you’re passionate about something is to try it – ideally with as little risk as you can manage.

    4. Remember that any progress is good progress.
    Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they’re afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like e-mailing a networking contact or attending an event – that moves you a bit closer to your big picture goal.

    5. Start early. Twenty and thirty-somethings have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you’re unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven’t yet reached a level in a career where it’s tougher to turn back. That said, it’s never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.

    6. Have realistic expectations.
    Even if you’re lucky enough to hold your dream job, there’s no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don’t love. And dream job doesn’t mean “cushy” job. As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!

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Editor's Note: Inappropriate comments that are offensive to the author or not in context to the author's post will be removed. For editorial feedback, please contact our Community Manager through his user profile. Click here.
Shawn Graham
May 23, 2008 3:28 pm

It's also very important to have a story. Recruiters want to know why you want to work for that particular company, in that particular industry and in that particular job. Leverage the information you gathered during the self-assessment stage Alexandra mentioned. It will know only help you address the questions about your overall interest, but it can also help you identify transferrable skills and experiences that can help you address a lack of experience.

Thinking Inside the Box: Why am I So Busy? : Brazen Careeris
April 17, 2008 1:57 pm

[...] 6 Tips to Land Your Dream JobHow to Avoid the #1 Productivity Killer: SicknessWhat You Do Outside of Work Matters3 Times When Higher Taxes Make Me Feel GoodHow I Aimed Low and Scored a Great Job AnywayCultural Fit Means Personality, But Also UtilitySometimes the Best Career Sneaks Up on You From BehindCreate A Powerful Resume With A Profile StatementFirst: Here's How to Get a Mentor (Even in Business School)Reality Check: Is Buying That iPod Touch My Next Regret? [...]

Thinking Inside the Box: Why am I So Busy? | Employee Evolut
April 16, 2008 8:31 am

[...] Or at least until I get a new job. [...]

Renata
April 15, 2008 5:48 pm

I would also add:
Pay attention to what you are doing for free already.
By that I mean that if you find yourself working on a hobby, or having a particularly strong interest in a field unrelated to your job in your spare time, that is a clue that your true interests lie elsewhere than what you picture as your ideal job. Strangely enough, there is money in scrapbooking as well...that should tell you something.

Alexandra Levit
April 23, 2008 12:14 am

Just want to say that it was so exciting to be featured on Brazen Careerist. There are so many great new blogs on here, I can barely keep up. I appreciate all of the support you guys have given to my new book, How'd You Score That Gig?, and I'd love to hear feedback from anyone who has had a chance to read it!

Best,
Alexandra Levit

Ally
April 22, 2008 4:19 pm

I'd add this. Make a list of all the aspects of your dream job. The clearer and more specific it is, the better! This will work as a guide as you move into #3. It helps you visualize what your job looks like in reality and you can start building the bridge/steps to get there.

Queercents » Blog Archive » How’d You Scor
April 21, 2008 12:30 pm

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