apply for countless jobs<\/a>, tinker with your CV over and over again, even land a couple of interviews, but for some reason that big break never quite comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s easy to feel like maybe you\u2019re just not good enough, or else the opportunities don\u2019t really exist. While every situation is different, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that said, it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. Although finding that first role is difficult, it\u2019s not impossible and there are some steps you can take to make life easier for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proactively Gaining Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Job experience is a strange thing. Every company wants it, but none are willing to provide the opportunity for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, you don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re 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\u2019ve got a clear metric by which to prove your skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, this kind of transferable experience can even be applied to broader skill sets. Let\u2019s say you start a project with some friends. If you take on the role and responsibilities of a team lead, then that\u2019s something any employer will be interested in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting Your Name Out There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Of course, it\u2019s not just about gaining new experience. If you have relevant experience to your dream job, even if it\u2019s tangential, then it\u2019s important to advertise that front and centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You want to make sure that when employers are looking for someone on LinkedIn, they\u2019ll be able to find you. You want to make sure that the first thing they\u2019re greeted with is your biggest achievement so that they know that, even if you\u2019re not perfect for the role, you\u2019re still a pretty big deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s worth noting that there is a level of \u2018fake it till you make it\u2019 to this behaviour. Although you should never lie about your skills and experience, there\u2019s no harm in looking and sounding confident, even if you don\u2019t feel so on the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, it\u2019s always a balance and you certainly don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making Contacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re 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\u2019s better to see them as your potential allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also don\u2019t 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\u2019re looking for a niche role, it\u2019s good to keep one ear to the ground and embrace any opportunities that come your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, if you\u2019re 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<\/a>. It\u2019s the ideal way to fast track your career. Sign up with Career Navig8r today to find out more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,22,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mentoring-advice-opinion","category-job-search-tips","category-monetise-your-knowledge"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Land Your Dream Job with a Career navig8r Mentor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Getting your dream job might seem impossible but with a Career Navig8r mentor you could set your career on the fast track to success. Sign up now to learn more.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/careernavig8r.com\/blog\/land-your-dream-job\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Land Your Dream Job with a Career navig8r Mentor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Getting your dream job might seem impossible but with a Career Navig8r mentor you could set your career on the fast track to success. 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