Career Springboards: How to Land Your Dream Job

Are you struggling to get your dream job? Looking to fast track your career so that you can find a role that really matters to you?

Starting a new career can often feel like banging your head up against a wall. You apply for countless jobs, tinker with your CV over and over again, even land a couple of interviews, but for some reason that big break never quite comes.

It’s easy to feel like maybe you’re just not good enough, or else the opportunities don’t really exist. While every situation is different, it’s important to keep in mind that almost everyone goes through some form of this experience. Those who succeed are often just those who stick with it long enough to get that first role and break into the industry.

All that said, it doesn’t have to be this way. Although finding that first role is difficult, it’s not impossible and there are some steps you can take to make life easier for yourself.

Proactively Gaining Experience

Job experience is a strange thing. Every company wants it, but none are willing to provide the opportunity for it.

On the other hand, you don’t always need a job to have job experience. After all, the main purpose of experience is to prove that you have the skills to work a role, and a good portfolio is more than capable of proving those skills for many jobs.

If you’re looking to become a web developer, then build a few websites. If you want to become a journalist, then start by running your own blog. In either case, if you get a consistent stream of clicks, then you’ve got a clear metric by which to prove your skills.

In fact, this kind of transferable experience can even be applied to broader skill sets. Let’s say you start a project with some friends. If you take on the role and responsibilities of a team lead, then that’s something any employer will be interested in.

All of this to say that while the world of work can sometimes feel like a walled garden, building your own doorway can be easier than it seems.

Getting Your Name Out There

Of course, it’s not just about gaining new experience. If you have relevant experience to your dream job, even if it’s tangential, then it’s important to advertise that front and centre.

You want to make sure that when employers are looking for someone on LinkedIn, they’ll be able to find you. You want to make sure that the first thing they’re greeted with is your biggest achievement so that they know that, even if you’re not perfect for the role, you’re still a pretty big deal.

It’s worth noting that there is a level of ‘fake it till you make it’ to this behaviour. Although you should never lie about your skills and experience, there’s no harm in looking and sounding confident, even if you don’t feel so on the inside.

This also translates into real world scenarios. If you ever have the chance to go to industry meetups and conventions, be sure to engage with people and show what you know.

Of course, it’s always a balance and you certainly don’t want to come across as arrogant, but a willingness to present bold ideas and talk about a subject you have passion for will make you more memorable and more likely to get your dream job.

Making Contacts

Speaking of conventions, you should take every opportunity you can to make contacts in the industry, and that includes other people who are looking to break in.

When you’re first applying for jobs, you might be in competition with hundreds or even thousands of other people. The more of those people you get to know, however, the more likely they are to recommend you if and when they break in. In theory these people might be your rivals but in practice, it’s better to see them as your potential allies.

Also don’t be afraid of using friends and family as contacts. Many people will overlook contacts they already have, often not even realising that a person could help them. In practice, however, most industries are far more interconnected than you might think so even if you feel you’re looking for a niche role, it’s good to keep one ear to the ground and embrace any opportunities that come your way.

Of course, if you’re really not sure how to make contacts, you can also hire a mentor. An experienced mentor can not only help you meet people in their industry but they can also give you the coaching required to nail the job interview. It’s the ideal way to fast track your career. Sign up with Career Navig8r today to find out more.