Your dream job: What is it? And how do you get it?
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What is your Dream Job? This question is a staple of our society. Some people have a simple answer. Others, it is a difficult one to figure out, and there is the lucky few who already have it. Are these “lucky few” just lucky? Most likely not. Let’s take a closer look at what this all means, and how to achieve it.
First, it is important to assess what your dream job is. There are several different factors to consider in figuring it out.
- Does it represent your passion?
- Does it provide you the schedule and flexibility to live your dream life?
- Is it a volunteer position that allows you to help others?
- Does it provide you the money you need to pursue interests outside your job that fulfills your dreams? Your dream job might be the job that produces your dream life.
- Can your current job magically transform into your dream Job? It might be right in front of you!
How do these few “lucky” souls pull it off? In general they have three distinct strategies in common.
Get your foot in the Door
Good news, you’re already ahead of the game. There is no better platform than LinkedIn to get your foot in the door, and gain exposure to other top professionals in your chosen industry. Reach out to your network and see who might have a connection that works for you. Find out who in your network represents a “center-of-influence” in the market you want.
Simple insight from your network might prove to be beneficial. Treat this as an ongoing research project with your network. Don’t limit it to LinkedIn. Talk to family and friends about your goals.
Once you reach the proper person, take them out for coffee.
Don’t Quit your Day Job
Make sure not to put the cart before the horse. Remember, your day job might have your dream job hidden inside, waiting for you. Furthermore, it is much more attractive to the next employer when you’re currently employed.
You may find when completing a dream job assessment, that your current job provides what you need to fulfill your dream life. If you are to leave your current job, remember to never burn a bridge. The connections you made there may prove to be valuable to your career in the future. Be conscious that your actions now affect your ability to land your dream job in the future. Even the “lucky ones” have taken calculated and strategic actions within their career to get where they are.
Follow Up and Follow Through
The final and most important step. The single step that many people are absolutely terrible at. Ironically, it is one of the easiest.
Follow through is a concept that is utilized successfully in almost every sport. We are always taught to follow through on our Golf Swing, Tennis Serve, Baseball swing, etc. In all of these sports, it is proven that your follow through helps get the ball where you want it to go! It works the same in the business world.
Remember, this can be as simple as a phone call or email. Don’t expect someone you are trying to pursue to follow up with you. You are the one trying to get yourself somewhere, not them. Follow through if you want to get where you want to be.
Are your wheels spinning yet? If you’re one of the lucky few with their dream job, please feel free to share your tips below in the comments. Is there a chance your dream job is right in front of you?
Originally published on LinkedIn
