When it comes to employment, you either get a job you have to do or a job that you really like and wanted for a long time. If you do not enjoy your work, it will affect both your mental and physical being. There is no point in staying at a job you hate for too long.
But how do you get the job that you really want? According to a recent study, looking for a job today is more like a 24/4 gig. And with the current pandemic, the rate of unemployment is at its historic high.
Here are 5 tips to help you out get the job you want.
Be clear about what your career goal is?
The best place to start when trying to get the job you want is to determine your career goal. This will keep you focused on the bigger picture, which will allow you to look for positions that only fit into your long-term goals.
Once you have this figured out, come up with steps that you need to take to arrive there. From here, you can formulate a clear roadmap for yourself, which can increase the chances of you landing the job you want.
When outlining your career goals, you can come up with more than one goal, but make sure they are achievable and arranged according to priority.
Another point to note, your goals should not be too far ahead, one year or two years is enough. Long-term goals can be distracting and it’s easy to lose focus along the way, which cannot be said about short-term goals.
Hone your skills
Identify the job you want first and then look at the required skills to be successful. Start by taking stock of your own skills and then establish what else you need in order to be qualified for the job.
Keep it cool if you don’t have the necessary skills for your dream job. Instead of panicking, find ways in which you can gain those skills..
At this age, it is easy to learn new skills without even having to attend a physical class.
Take a proactive stance by learning and cultivating new skills, and be sure to mention it on your CV, hiring managers usually like candidates who take an extra mile.
Create a great Resume or CV
The reason why you need to create beyond average resume is that an average hiring manager requires only seven seconds to look at your resume and decide whether you are fit for the role or not.
So, even in resume writing, a first impression is critical.
Make sure you start strong and catch the attention of the recruiter by summarizing your accomplishments and skills on the first page of the CV.
This section is known as the personal profile and it essentially summarizes what is in the CV.
When writing an attention-grabbing resume, focus on your results instead of responsibilities. Don’t list past responsibilities in your CV thinking that it will impress the hiring manager. On the contrary, highlight your results by using measurable data to indicate what you have accomplished so far.
The CV should also respond to the job description directly. Rather than using a general CV, customize the resume for the particular job you want. This will show that you understand what the job entails.
You also want to show in your CV that you are well-connected. Indicate the kind of people you networked within your past post, whether it was just a gig at your former college or a serious job at a company.
Last but not least, showcase that you have an in-depth knowledge of the industry you want to work in. This will show that you have the capabilities to look out for new trends.
Continue networking
Networking will play an important role in your getting your dream job. Reach out to the people you went to college with and those in your social circle.
Get in touch with your former co-workers and even managers; hopefully, you left on good terms.
You can even start networking with people inside the potential company you want to work for and learn some inside tips that can give you a clear view of what it like to work in the company.
If your network is small, don’t be afraid to reach out to new people, especially those you admire in the industry. It is likely they will accept your invitation to meet up, and if they do, don’t hesitate to pick their brains.
Kill that interview
Now that the day you have been building up has arrived, it is time to land that job. Everything that you have learnt so far is on the line during an interview because if you flop, that is it, it doesn’t matter how great your CV is, how many skills you have, or the size of your network.
To avoid the worst-case scenario from happening, make sure you thoroughly prepare for the interview. Do your research on the company and the job position you are interviewing for. If possible, do homework on the people who will be interviewing you, but not in a creepy way. Learn about their role in the company so that you understand their expectations of you.
In Summary
Getting your dream job is not an easy task. However, with preparation, you increase your chances significantly. Use the tips we have shared in this post to prepare for the job you want and claim it.
