Some people know what job they want to do from when they are very young, and others have no idea at all. To find what might be your dream job you, first of all, need to do some research into what different jobs actually involve. There are some that can sound quite glamorous, but when it comes down to it they are not as much fun as you might of first thought. Then there are others that will pay you a lot of money, but is it worth it if you dread going to work every day? A balance is what is needed. A job you will enjoy that pays you a reasonable salary.

 

 

Research and Research Again

You can find out about working in marketing, the medical profession, the motor industry, tourism, baking, and all types of other jobs by searching online. There are sites that will let you know what duties will be expected of you in any job at all, and they will let you know what qualifications you need and what you can expect to earn.

You may find that you need to complete an online fnp course or to get extra qualifications in Math’s, for instance. These sites will give you that information so that you do not waste your time applying for jobs you are not qualified for. Of course, there are some jobs that no qualifications are needed for, and it could be that it is one of those that you want to be employed in.

Once you have some idea, it is good to look at the latest news for that particular industry and look at some of the websites for the large companies in your chosen area. They will often have press releases that will tell you more, and sometimes have a careers section where you might be able to apply for a job.

If you are lucky enough to get an interview this way, study the company and their values before you attend. Check out their social media site and find as much information as you can so that the interviewer knows you are interested in them.

 

Conduct Some Practice Interviews

It is a good idea to get some friends or colleagues to do some practice interviews with you. Different people will ask different questions, so if you can find a few people to help you with this it would be even better. If you know anyone that works in the field you are trying to get into, it would be great if they could be one of the pretend interviewers.

If you are a school leaver or changing your career path, there can be questions asked that will make you seek out answers. It is not as good as on the job learning, but it can be useful if it makes you seek out more information before your real interview.

 

Sell Yourself

While still being truthful, you need to sell yourself in any cover letter and your CV. These are the first impression any prospective employer sees and first impressions count. Make sure your CV highlights your strengths, and do not be afraid to admit to some weaknesses as well. That shows honesty, which will always go down well with anyone seeking to employ people.

Your CV should be targeted at the industry you want to work in, and the language should be clear and concise. If you need help putting your CV together, you will find examples on the Internet of CV’s relating to many different industries. Use the tools that are online to help you, and give yourself more chance of getting that dream job.

For some employers, experience is as important as qualifications. Although you should let them know all about your education, previous employment and what qualifications you have, do not forget to tell them about any skills you have learned through experience. You may think they do not relate to the job you are after, the prospective employer may think otherwise.

 

 

 

 

Make Your Online Presence Good

It is not unusual these days for employers to check people out on social media before they meet them. Check all your post on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and delete any that might be an embarrassment. If you have a LinkedIn profile, make it look as good as you can. Include a few phrases that could relate to the job you are after so that when they look at you they will see the type of person they are after.

Don’t forget that employers sometimes search these sites looking for people who might be suitable for a position they have. Make sure your posts or profile have some keywords in them that will make it more likely they find you.

 

Be Prepared For The Interview

So the day has arrived where you are finally going to have an interview for your dream job. What should you have done to make sure you are well prepared? Hopefully, you will have practised the details of your work and education history so that when asked about them you can answer in a confident manner.  This will usually be the first part of any interview, and if you are not confident over these matters, it will not look good moving forward.

Don’t be surprised if they ask you about any interests or hobbies you have. This helps them to evaluate what sort of character you are and how well you interact with other people. Be prepared to discuss your interests as much as they want, as it could be the way you handle this part of the interview that wins you the job.

One last tip for your interview. If you are going for a job as an office manager, just as an example, don’t turn up in jeans and a t-shirt. Dress appropriately for the job you are after, as before you even open your mouth the way you look is important.

 

When you feel the interview is coming to a close, ask any questions you have. These should not be about how much holiday entitlement you will have but perhaps more along the line of the duties you will be expected to carry out. If you do not have any questions for them, make sure you finish the interview with a strong handshake and a pleasant smile.

 

 

Follow-Up

You have to assume that you will not be the only person interviewed for the job. Once you are out of the room it is not a bad idea to keep your name at the forefront of the interviewer’s mind.  Following up on the interview suggests that you are serious about taking on the job, and lets you remind them why you would be their best choice.

A handwritten thank you letter is always impressive, but you could also send an email if that is simpler for you. If the process seems to be moving very slowly, check in occasionally to see how much nearer they are to making a decision.

It will probably feel like you need to put a lot of effort into getting your dream job, but if you succeed, you will be very glad you did. When you hear that you have been hired for the position you wanted, thoughts of all the hard work to get it will just disappear. If you fail the first time, there will be other jobs just like it. Don’t give up, learn by the experience you have had and try to improve for the next job application.

 

What is your dream job?

 

*Collaborative post.