For most people, finding a job is the focal point in their lives. Why, because a job is a means to provide food on the table, medicines for your ailing parents, or savings to ensure that you have money to run to in case any emergency props up.
Sadly, though, a lot of people merely work to exist. They make do with whatever job they were given. Sure, they get a decent salary, but they are not fulfilled emotionally and intellectually. Their pockets may be full, but their hearts are left wanting.
How does one land that dream job they have been envisioning since childhood? Is it all a matter of luck, or is it a matter of strategy and perseverance? We will not delve into how luck affects one's choice of profession, but we may be able to help readers out with a few tried-and tested strategies.
Start with a strong resume. Many job-seekers make the mistake of pre-writing a resume even if they have not yet found an ideal position they wish to apply for. One great tip - scour the classifieds for that dream job and fashion a good, strong resume - specifically geared towards the job vacancy. It is common for people to follow one general format for resume writing -name, objective, past experience, education, skills, talents, etc. But what will make you more attractive to that interviewer is how well you "fit" right into the job that you are applying for. You do this by strategically indicating only the things your future employer wants to hear, the experiences that are totally related to your desired position, and only relevant information that your potential boss would want to know. Don't include your teaching experience if you're applying for a bookkeeping position - well, unless you taught bookkeeping. Keep all information on your resume relevant - to the position and to the company. Give them what they want to read.
Be more selective when sending out resumes. If you want to be hired, and yet send out the same resume to 100 different companies, then obviously your job search is a hit-and-miss, rather than a job search for that dream position. So what happens if 45 of the 100 human resources managers you sent resumes to schedule you for an interview - all within the same day? The ones you will not be able to go to will remember how you snubbed them -thus making things look bad for you. Instead, be more selective - not desperate. Sure, your bank account may be dwindling, but that doesn't mean that you must get stuck with just any job which you know will never make and keep you happy and satisfied.
Be more realistic with your job selection and application. It is so easy to get carried away in your dreams, without regard for reality. Your dream position may be as a bank manager, but you know in your heart that you cannot distinguish a debit from a credit, a money market placement from a savings account, or accounts receivables from loans. In order to avoid getting depressed with the constant rejection, align your job search with your known talents and skills. If you want to be a teacher, and then work on a teaching degree - and don't just cruise through the entire course with passing grades - be excellent. Most often, frustration happens when you fail to realize when the dream ends and when reality starts. Work towards your goals - it's the best way to inch towards your dream job.
During an interview, stress not your achievements, but focus on how you can help the company. This sounds so cliché, but the truth is, this is really what your interviewer wants to hear. Your achievements and high education are mere titles and recognitions, but how can you use these achievements to help out the company reach its full potential? Or maybe more realistically, how can you use your education to perform supremely at the position you are applying for? Prove to them that you will be an asset. Show them that you have what it takes - and that you are not a mere collection of trophies, awards and medals - with no actual professional depth. There are times when it's better to be street-wise and useful than be book-wise and theoretical.
Lastly, live up to your promises. This is more of a job-keeping strategy, than a job-seeking one. We included this because we all know that bagging that dream job is only step one - staying on the job and doing excellently in it is the harder task. When you merely lied about your achievements or skills to get the position, eventually, your employer will get wind of this. Never pad your capacities, because eventual discovery of your lie will only result not only to the loss of your job, but a possible un-erasable impression which may spread in an industry. Live up to the expectations of your employer. Better still, don't be too much of a braggart during the application process, but wow them once you are on the job. This makes the employer feel that whom they initially thought as "she can do -for the meantime," is actually gold in their hands - which is a really pleasant surprise. Remember that a great performance will always bring you towards greater heights - perhaps to heights way surpassing your initial dream. Now isn't that great?
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Michael Griffiths is the CEO and Founder of Secrets of a Super Life, providing individuals with personal development strategies to increase their purpose, passion, happiness and life fulfilment. For your free life success pack please visit http://www.mysuperlifetoday.com
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