You’ve finished college and feel rejuvenated with all your new-found knowledge. The honeymoon phase of higher education is over and now it’s time to enter the real world. Starting to look for a job after college can be demoralizing and the competition steep. Everyone wants a dream job, the kind that makes waking up in the morning exciting, but the reality is that few find it. The harsh truth is that most people don’t make careers in their primary field of study. Instead, they work at places out of necessity. That is not the case for everyone. Somewhere out there someone is getting their dream job and it wasn’t by luck. There are plenty of self-help guides selling the secrets to success, but the most important ones are free. Here are 6 tips that will help you to find and get the job of your dreams.
Listen
When looking for a job it is important to know what it is they are looking for. Occasionally, jobs require certain skills like welding, heavy lifting, or computer literacy. But it is almost always true that an employer is looking for good listeners. It’s easy to dismiss the power of listening well, but when an interviewer speaks they want to know they are being heard. The good news is that being a good listener is learnable. With practice, it can become easier to navigate social situations and think critically. The secret is being rooted in the present moment. Remember to listen for understanding not just to hear what’s been said.
Self-Motivate
Getting an undergraduate degree speaks more about your ability to see projects through to completion than it does intelligence. A vital attribute to have when seeking employment is being self-motivated. People who drive themselves often need little supervision to accomplish the task at hand. They thrive on doing the best work possible, accomplishing a goal, or finding new ways to do things. Like becoming a good listener it is easy to learn. The best way to become self-motivated is by aligning your goals with your responsibility. For example, you may want to make a six-figure salary so you focus your energy on learning new skills to help.
Become a Lifelong Learner
Being self-motivated has its benefits, but one of the greatest being a passion to learn. Getting in the habit of learning new things or ways to do something can help you to stand out in a crowd. An employee with a passion to learn may find that doors open sooner than for others. Almost every industry is growing and advancing with technology. Showing that you are capable of staying current with the times can be persuasive. Businesses want employees who are eager to learn new things. Someone self-motivated enough to never stop learning is likely to be more adept at problem-solving. There is another major benefit to having an insatiable curiosity. All skills learned on the job are like equity capable of being leveraged for more money and a better job.
Search Job Forums
Now that you’ve started working on yourself the process of finding your dream job has just begun. The good news is that technology has made the world smaller. Gone are the days when you’d have to thumb through the classified section in the local newspaper. Online job forums are the future and have helped many achieve their career goals. Simply go to your favorite search engine and search for jobs with your zip-code. There are dozens of sites to choose from. During this time it is important to take your time, choose carefully, and follow the instructions.
Network
The world no longer goes around by who you know. Instead, candidates with great qualifications are being overlooked for someone familiar. Never underestimate the power of being well connected. Social media and professional networking sites, like Linkedin, are great for creating a reputation. Landing your dream job will require more than experience, but an ally. Make friends, follow-up with them, and get your name out there. If you are a graduate looking for work than seek help from your alumni. They are a great way of building strong professional connections that last a lifetime. Doors will open when you know who is standing on the other side. Doing this will greatly increase your chances of beating the competition.
Create Great Resume
Some things don’t change and when it comes to creating a resume it still holds. Writing a resume may sound old fashion but it is one of the best ways to convey a lot of information in little time. The purpose of a resume should be to convey to an employer why you’re a good fit for their company. Keep in mind that when you submit a resume you are merely one of the dozens. Anyone reading the resume is likely reading hundreds of similar ones. Make yours short, to the point, and also relevant to the job at hand. While you may possess extensive knowledge on repairing engines it might not be a great selling point for a banker. A great resume doesn’t have to be longer than a page but should paint a good picture of who you are.
Landing your dream job can be hard work. Sometimes it is mentally exhausting especially when it’s not always successful. These tips will help you to remain competitive while creating an actionable plan for success. Remember that employers don’t always choose because of your qualifications, education, or background. Focus on growing personally, become obsessed with finding your dream job, and don’t stop until you get it.
You’ve finished college and feel rejuvenated with all your new-found knowledge. The honeymoon phase of higher education is over and now it’s time to enter the real world. Starting to look for a job after college can be demoralizing and the competition steep. Everyone wants a dream job, the kind that makes waking up in the morning exciting, but the reality is that few find it. The harsh truth is that most people don’t make careers in their primary field of study. Instead, they work at places out of necessity. That is not the case for everyone. Somewhere out there someone is getting their dream job and it wasn’t by luck. There are plenty of self-help guides selling the secrets to success, but the most important ones are free. Here are 6 tips that will help you to find and get the job of your dreams.
Listen
When looking for a job it is important to know what it is they are looking for. Occasionally, jobs require certain skills like welding, heavy lifting, or computer literacy. But it is almost always true that an employer is looking for good listeners. It’s easy to dismiss the power of listening well, but when an interviewer speaks they want to know they are being heard. The good news is that being a good listener is learnable. With practice, it can become easier to navigate social situations and think critically. The secret is being rooted in the present moment. Remember to listen for understanding not just to hear what’s been said.
Self-Motivate
Getting an undergraduate degree speaks more about your ability to see projects through to completion than it does intelligence. A vital attribute to have when seeking employment is being self-motivated. People who drive themselves often need little supervision to accomplish the task at hand. They thrive on doing the best work possible, accomplishing a goal, or finding new ways to do things. Like becoming a good listener it is easy to learn. The best way to become self-motivated is by aligning your goals with your responsibility. For example, you may want to make a six-figure salary so you focus your energy on learning new skills to help.
Become a Lifelong Learner
Being self-motivated has its benefits, but one of the greatest being a passion to learn. Getting in the habit of learning new things or ways to do something can help you to stand out in a crowd. An employee with a passion to learn may find that doors open sooner than for others. Almost every industry is growing and advancing with technology. Showing that you are capable of staying current with the times can be persuasive. Businesses want employees who are eager to learn new things. Someone self-motivated enough to never stop learning is likely to be more adept at problem-solving. There is another major benefit to having an insatiable curiosity. All skills learned on the job are like equity capable of being leveraged for more money and a better job.
Search Job Forums
Now that you’ve started working on yourself the process of finding your dream job has just begun. The good news is that technology has made the world smaller. Gone are the days when you’d have to thumb through the classified section in the local newspaper. Online job forums are the future and have helped many achieve their career goals. Simply go to your favorite search engine and search for jobs with your zip-code. There are dozens of sites to choose from. During this time it is important to take your time, choose carefully, and follow the instructions.
Network
The world no longer goes around by who you know. Instead, candidates with great qualifications are being overlooked for someone familiar. Never underestimate the power of being well connected. Social media and professional networking sites, like Linkedin, are great for creating a reputation. Landing your dream job will require more than experience, but an ally. Make friends, follow-up with them, and get your name out there. If you are a graduate looking for work than seek help from your alumni. They are a great way of building strong professional connections that last a lifetime. Doors will open when you know who is standing on the other side. Doing this will greatly increase your chances of beating the competition.
Create Great Resume
Some things don’t change and when it comes to creating a resume it still holds. Writing a resume may sound old fashion but it is one of the best ways to convey a lot of information in little time. The purpose of a resume should be to convey to an employer why you’re a good fit for their company. Keep in mind that when you submit a resume you are merely one of the dozens. Anyone reading the resume is likely reading hundreds of similar ones. Make yours short, to the point, and also relevant to the job at hand. While you may possess extensive knowledge on repairing engines it might not be a great selling point for a banker. A great resume doesn’t have to be longer than a page but should paint a good picture of who you are.
Landing your dream job can be hard work. Sometimes it is mentally exhausting especially when it’s not always successful. These tips will help you to remain competitive while creating an actionable plan for success. Remember that employers don’t always choose because of your qualifications, education, or background. Focus on growing personally, become obsessed with finding your dream job, and don’t stop until you get it.