Most people dream of having their ideal job, but they have no idea how to go about finding it. Getting the right job can be as simple as knowing what you’re looking for and being prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Here are five tips to help you identify your dream job and achieve your career goals in 2022.
1) Understand what makes you happy
There are a lot of reasons you might be unhappy in your current job. Maybe you feel stuck, undervalued, or underutilized; maybe your skills aren’t being tapped. Sometimes it’s easy to get so used to your present circumstances that you don’t even realize what would make you happy—but then again, sometimes things happen right in front of us and we just can’t see them. The best way to find out what would make you happy is by taking time to think about it and express yourself honestly—you may be surprised at what comes out.
2) Create a list of companies you would love to work for
If you’re going after your dream job, you’ll want to make sure it’s a realistic goal. You can start by brainstorming a list of companies that align with your values and culture. Then, research them and learn about their opportunities so you can decide which positions might be right for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, find people who work there and speak with them about their career experiences. It’s also important to set realistic expectations—ideally at least three years in advance—so that you have time to build out your skillsets and land an interview. (It takes at least six months to prepare for one.) Consider applying for jobs before getting all of your ducks in a row too!
3) Research what those companies are looking for in a candidate
Carefully studying job listings will give you a sense of what an employer values and how your skills match up. Go back and look at a few jobs you’ve had in previous years. Do your skills align with those outlined in job listings? If so, keep reading. If not, it might be time to consider taking some professional development courses or getting certified in new skills. This can be a good time to speak with someone at your university’s career center, local community college or library—they may have resources available that will help you identify areas where you can improve your professional profile and marketability.
4) Tailor Your Resume/CV To Match
It’s no secret that employers have an overwhelming number of resumes, CVs and applications to sort through. Make your application more attractive by tailoring it to a specific job description. We’ve all heard you shouldn’t do resume-stuffing—in other words, listing out every single past experience in hopes that you’ll hit on something they’re looking for—but make sure there are at least a few key skills or responsibilities in your resume that match up with what they want. You don’t need to get super detailed (everyone knows there are a lot of ways to prepare food!), but if you spend too much time trying to find a perfect match, you’ll waste everyone’s time by writing one for every job ad that comes your way.
5) Practice interviewing techniques
No matter how much you do it, interviewing can be stressful. To make sure you’re prepared, start by practicing. The more comfortable you are with your answers and questions, the less anxiety you’ll feel come interview day. Not every practice session has to take place in front of a mirror, either—you can practice asking questions just as easily as responding to them (just make sure you have a friend on hand who’s willing to share his or her experiences). And remember: Never stop researching! Whether it’s an informational interview or a full-on career fair, finding out what professionals at your dream company expect from job candidates is vital information for interview day. You may even learn about some new opportunities along the way.
Conclusion
After exploring these 5 tips and putting them into practice, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you want in your next job. Best of all, you’ll have a plan of action that can help get you there. So be honest with yourself as you read through these tips and assess your current situation. Then brainstorm some ways that you can use these tips to identify your dream job (and maybe even get an interview!). Even if they’re just ideas right now, with a little bit of hard work and perseverance, it won’t be long before your new career is closer than ever!