If you’re looking for a new job, you’d probably prefer to have one that does more than just pay the bills — one that utilizes your years of experiences and expertise, and yet challenges you. You know what you want, but the problem is, you’re not finding it. You may be browsing all the career sites all day long, yet not finding the perfect job of your dreams. Unfortunately, the reality is that your dream job may just not exist — yet.
(Photo Credit: kate hiscock/Flickr)
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still land the perfect job for you. It just might take a little work and creativity to discover — or even create — what you’re looking for. Here are a few ways you can still find the job of your dreams, even if it’s not finding you.
Be Confident
When looking for that perfect job, it’s incredibly important to be confident. In a recent article in Forbes, Brett Nelson points out that feeling confident about a new job is a key factor in determining whether its the right fit for you.
“The higher the confidence factor (CF), the better the job for you,” writes Nelson.” A CF below 60% means you should think twice about that next gig; between 61% and 75%, you’re on the right track; above 75%, go for it; and if you’re at 90% or higher, consider your career truly blessed.”
So how the heck do you calculate a CF? Nelson explains:
“For each variable, assess the level — between 0% and 100% — at which you feel the job meets that particular aspect of doing it. For example, if you’re pretty sure the Compensation is generous, you might assign that variable a level of 95%.”
When creating your own dream job — such as an online business — you’ll want to assess each aspect of your new career and decide how confident you feel about your passion about it, potential success, and potential ROI. If the CF for any of these are low, it may be time to go back to the drawing board.
Find the Right Company
While you may be dreaming of a certain type of job, you might be better of looking for a certain type of company. While “dream jobs” may seem like the ultimate goal, they can actually be quite terrible if you land in murky company culture or working for a micromanagerial boss. Instead, take the time to really dig into the best local companies. Ask friends and attend networking events to find out who really loves where they work.
At Mashable, Naomi Garnice suggests putting together a list of 10-20 companies in a spreadsheet “with columns to detail potential departments you could work in, contacts you may have (or could get there), and any other potential ins.”
Go Back to School
If you’ve been out of school for a while, going back might be the last thing you want to do. However, if your dream job requires additional education or advanced training, you might need to re-prioritize.
“In 2011, Kit Hickey was a successful investment banker in Boulder, Colorado, but she was a little disillusioned and had a vision for a line of business attire that used the performance technologies found in outdoor apparel,” writes Abe Streep at Outside Magazine. “She enrolled in an entrepreneurial program at MIT and partnered with another student who was a gear designer to launch Ministry of Supply. She uses her banking experience, focusing on the company’s thriving business model, while her partner geeks out on materials and construction methods.”
While taking time out to go back to school means your dream job won’t appear over night (or anywhere close to immediately) it could help set you up for a career of your dreams that will forever satisfy you.
Be Aggressive
It’s not secret that many jobs recruit for positions without ever listing them on job boards. While this may be frustrating, it’s actually a great opportunity for you to approach companies with your unique background and skills and tell them why you’d be a great fit for their company.
Garnice explains that “you need to show the decision makers that, if they invest in paying your salary, you’d have a measurable impact on sales, lead acquisition, efficiency, or another key component of the business.”
Sending this pitch might seem easy, but you need to make sure you’re targeting the right person — not just sending another email to a recruiter. Try to find the director of the department you want to work for, as they are less bogged down than C-level execs and HR.
Be Patient
Finally, take a deep breathe and realize this is a process. Unless you get lucky right away, your dream job may be months or even years away. Continue to be persistent and network; just as important as it is to keep contacting companies as it is to keep networking with others in the industry to be sure everyone knows who you are and what you want. You’ll never know who you run into that can open that one door to the perfect opportunity — or even partner with you to create that dream job that doesn’t exist yet.
Tell Us What You Think
If you love your job, what tips do you have for job seekers? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.
Leave a Reply