Three things you should be doing to land your dream job

As children, we all start to innocently map out the most meticulous career plans, often involving exotic vocations in improbable places. But as time passes and we enter the world of work, it sometimes feels like these dreams are put on hold, or lost sight of completely.

According to recent research, just one in four working adults are currently in a job role they aspired to be in as a child. It’s probably slightly idealistic to presume everyone will achieve their childhood dreams, and these aspirations can often morph as we gain more experience. However, the world of work is more connected than ever before, and technology is making it easier for professionals to find new opportunities that better align with their long-term goals.

Naturally, the first step is to determine what your ideal role looks like. The ‘dream’ might not just be a specific role, rather it could encompass all different aspects of your life, from the flexibility it offers to the level of pay or other benefits. Once you’ve got a clear picture of what you want to do, start taking steps towards landing your dream job by doing these three things.

Building a network

Networking is a word that can strike fear into even the most competent professionals. It can be an incredibly daunting and difficult thing to do, especially for anyone just starting out in their career. Fortunately, with the help of modern technology and social media in particular, professional networking looks a little different in the 21st century.

While the value of in-person interactions hasn’t diminished, people can now leverage their smartphones and laptops to reach out to new contacts in different ways. The business world is more digitised than ever before, so developing an online presence is crucial; LinkedIn is a good facilitator for this. Simply by virtually connecting with other like-minded professionals, you will be opening yourself up to a wider range of opportunities – it’s also a great way to seek advice and support with your career.

Staying on top of industry trends

It’s one thing to say you’re passionate about a job role or industry, it’s another thing to be able to demonstrate this passion to prospective employers. Interviewers will want to know what you’ve done to develop your knowledge base in their specific field, even if you haven’t yet gained much professional experience in it.

Again, technology is making this process easier for the modern job seeker. There are several things you should be looking to do to showcase your passion for a subject. Firstly, identify and subscribe to relevant newsletters that will provide you with regular updates about industry news and trends. You don’t want to flood your inbox with stacks of emails you aren’t going to ever read, but receiving weekly or monthly newsletters published by respected voices in the field is a straightforward and effective way to stay abreast of current information as well as future predictions.

Similarly, social media can be leveraged as another relatively effort-free means of researching a field. By following industry experts and interacting with any important updates, not only will you build greater awareness of the state of play in the field, but you will also be demonstrating a passion for your dream vocation to prospective employers.

Perfecting your CV and portfolio

If you’ve already built up some industry experience, you’ll want to show off everything you’ve accomplished during this time to your dream employer. Unfortunately, recruiting staff are cynical by nature, and simply telling them about your skills and experiences isn’t enough – they need to see physical evidence. That’s why it’s so important to regularly review and update your application documents.

Your CV should be concise and highly relevant to the specific position you’re applying for. Where possible, try to pull out keywords and phrases from the job description that describe the sort of person they’re looking for, and see if you can work these into your CV or cover letter, providing evidence for each.

When you’re caught up in the daily demands of your role, it’s easy to soon forget about all the wonderful projects you’ve been involved with. That’s why it’s important to regularly update your portfolio with examples of your work that demonstrate proficiency in a particular area. This document can be built and managed online – gone are the days of printing out physical copies of your work. Not every job you apply for will ask for a portfolio, but they’re especially important in creative roles.

Dreaming of a more fulfilling career?

Whether you’re motivated by money, making a difference in the world, or simply the opportunity to do something you care about, pursuing a role that aligns with your long-term goals will help you to build a more fulfilling career. Think about these three steps and see where that next leap of faith will see you land.

The Coach Space

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