It is a tough task to get the job you want in life because there are times when you have no option to choose from. Once you get out of college and neck-deep in student loans, you usually grab the first chance you get at employment. It allows you the chance to start earning money and have the ability to be able to pay off financial obligations.
Getting whatever job you can get your hands on at the start makes sure that you get the money for all your needs as well. Your landlord will not wait for you to get that job you want so you can start paying rent. The bank will repossess any assets you took a loan for if you stop paying because you decided to wait for the job you want.
It is not an impossible feat to get the job you want and sometimes, some people even get it early in their career. However, that is not always the case. There could be times where it would take you a number of years to land your dream job. That span of time where you build up to the job you want is crucial in helping you succeed.
That waiting period is important and what you do during that time can either help you secure that job you have wanted for a long time or not. You can choose to work for that job proactively or try and play out your luck to see if it falls on your hands in the future. If you want to work for it, here are a few things you can do to help you achieve that goal.
Self-assessment is a crucial first step to get the job you want
The first thing you need to do is understand what it is you really want. There are times that you want a job because everyone else in your circle is doing it. It is also possible that a certain industry is gaining some popularity that is why you want to be in that. You could also be drawn to a specific work because most of your family members are doing the same work.
The key is to understand what it is you really want. Take a look at the things you excel at and love and start from there. Do you find it easy to go over numbers in your head and make complex calculations? Do you excel in a particular sport? Are you a people person and find it easy to connect with other individuals despite differences in belief?
These types of self-assessment can determine what you really want. You can be an economist or a teacher, an athlete or a coach, or have a career in sales or even running a business. The important thing is that you have an understanding at the very beginning what it is you really want to do in life so you can take the necessary steps to get there.
Understand the basic requirements you need
There are unconventional ways to get the job you want. There are even people who would tell you to make your own path. No two people are the same so it would be challenging to follow the exact path of those that have come before you. However, there are a few things which are non-negotiable when it comes to your dream job.
These can be a college degree, a specific set of skills or experience, or even having the appropriate equipment for the job you want. If you want to be a photographer, you would need a device to help you create photos. You can start with smartphones and eventually into a point and shoot camera or even a DSLR.
If you are good with numbers and you want to build your fortune in the stocks industry, you need a certain level of financial education so you can be successful at your job. If you want to start up a scuba diving business, you need to have a lot of experience in that field to be able to offer an amazing and safe diving lesson to people.
Network and socialize within your industry
If you want to get the job you want, it is important to know about the people who have come before you and has been successful in your chosen field. You will also benefit from knowing a lot of people in your field. This allows you the ability to learn from them, get connections, and even learn about job openings and vacancies in specific companies which may not be advertised. Top Resume even goes to say that when done right, networking can help people land a job faster.
One place to start with is job fairs so you can meet like-minded individuals. Once you get into your industry, do not stop networking with other people. Attend industry-specific events so you can meet other people in your chosen field. Not only will this make you known in your industry, you get the chance to meet new friends.
Be mindful of your online presence
In this day and age, there is a good chance that you have a very strong online presence. From several social media accounts to dating apps and even professional accounts, your prospective company can conduct online research on you. They can look at how you view social issues, how your personality complements the company’s culture, and even if you are a good fit with co-employees.
That being said, you need to audit and assess your social presence before heading out to pursue and get the job you want. Take a look at your personal social media and try to determine if there is anything on it that might hurt your chances of landing the job. You can turn your accounts private so you and your select friends are the only ones with access to it. The last thing you want is to stand out for all the wrong reasons with your online presence.
Get all the experience you can get
It is important to know as much as you can about the industry you want to get into. It starts with formal education and reading about it as much as you can. However, there is nothing better than actual job experience. It might not pay much at first but think of it as an investment on your part. You are getting the job experience you need to land that job you want.
The experience looks great on your credentials because it lowers the need for intensive training on a company’s part. You can hit the ground running and require only minimal supervision. The company can focus more on running the company rather than putting a lot of effort into training you. A lot of relevant experience can also open up bigger opportunities for you in the company.
It might look like a tough hill to climb if you want to get the job you want but there are things you can look int to help you achieve that goal. If you start believing that you will not make it at the onset, you are already making it difficult for you. You need to believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will. It is important that you are confident enough to pursue your dreams and everything else will follow.