How to get your dream job (don't worry it's not working for Don Draper)
Knowing what you want to be when you grow up is one thing; making it happen is quite another. Thanks to the dodgy economy, now's not necessarily the best of times to be kicking off your career - or looking for a change. But that doesn't mean that you can't channel your inner Peggy Olson - Mad Men's top go-getting girl - and take steps to work towards finding work that, well, works for you. Here are our top ten tips for kicking up your career a notch. Got more? Share in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter!
RexPrioritise
In an ideal world, every job would be spiritually and emotionally fulfilling, fun, and well-paid. We wish. In the real world, it’s helpful to have a good think about what your professional priorities are before you go out on the hunt. Is your pay packet highest on your list? Are you more concerned about being creative? Would you sacrifice pay in order to have more flexible hours or better working conditions? Try brainstorming all of the factors that will be part of your ideal job and rank them – it will help you when it’s decision-making time.
Rex FeaturesTalk To The Experts
That is, the people who are already doing the job that you want to do. Now, it’s important to do this delicately – if you approach people by saying, ‘Hi! I want to be you!’ they may feel threatened. But if you approach the issue by saying that you’re interested in getting in to their field and you wondered if they might meet you for a coffee, or even answer a few questions over email – well, even very busy people will often be able to take a few minutes to chat to a bright young thing.
RexCast Your Net Wide
Achieving your dream job should simply be a matter of progression from the bottom of the industry to the top. Right? In fact, you may find that you’ll get there faster through an unconventional route (and no, we DON'T mean having an affair with the boss). If you’re applying for entry-level gigs in a competitive industry, consider broadening the range of roles you’re pursuing – you may well be surprised how much developing experience in a slightly different job may lead you to where you were aiming in the first place. Or you might just find that you love doing something that’s a little bit different from your one-time dream job.
RexGet Work Experience
Get work experience
Work experience can be pretty undignified – yes, pretty much everyone is overqualified to sort the post and make the boss coffee. But work experience isn’t generally about demonstrating that you have the skills to do the boss’ job - it’s about meeting people, impressing them with your great personality and can-do attitude...and, it’s also about getting to know what it’s actually like to be in the environment of the field you’re interested in. You may be surprised. ‘I was certain that I wanted to be a television producer,’ says Anna, 28. ‘I did a week’s work experience in a production company and...I hated it. Thank goodness I figured that out before I committed to a job!’ If you can’t afford to work for free – we don’t blame you – look into volunteer opportunities that will help you build relevant skills, or even consider taking some holiday time from your current job to get work experience. It’s a lot less fun than a week in the South of France, but the dividends for that sacrificed beach time can be significant.
RexNetwork, Network, Network
Did we mention the important of networking? Happily, these days you can do it from the comfort of your own home: find the people who are working in the industry you’re interested in and start following them on Twitter – same goes for industry organisations and publications. It will give you insight into the industry as well as the people who work in it - and more often than not you may hear about job opportunities that aren’t available elsewhere. This can also be another opportunity to ask industry experts questions, but bombarding them is a definite DON’T (especially when it comes to outright asking them for a job...save that for an email).
RexPrepare For Rejection
The sobering fact is this: in the current economy, there are an unprecedented number of applicants for every job out there. The fact of the matter, then, is that sometimes you will apply for a job for which you feel you have the perfect qualifications and you’ll get a big, fat, no. It’s a horrible feeling, but it’s essential to remember that in many cases, it really is out of your hands. Make the best of it: ask your contact if it’s possible to get any feedback on your application, thank them for their time (leaving a good impression can pay off next time a vacancy comes up), and focus on what’s next on your application to-do list.
RexDo What You Love
...even if you can't find a job doing it. Remember, you don't have to get your entire raison d'etre from work - that's why they call it a job, not a hobby. Make time for doing things outside your job that make you feel productive, creative, and happy, and you may just find you develop skills and ideas that will help you find a job down the road that is more reflective of your interests.
RexLearn More
We're not saying that you have to go back and do another degree (although we're not stopping you!) but there are lots of ways to enhance your CV through taking short courses, qualifying for certificates, and so on. Identify what's most useful in your field and look in to whether you can get your current employer to sponsor it - usually this will mean you have to commit staying in your present role a bit longer, but the extra training may be worth that extra six months.
RexMake The Most
If options for moving to a new role look slim, make the most of the one that you're in now: look for opportunities to develop new skills and competencies within the role that will help you to beef up your CV and make your working life a bit more interesting. Even reorganising the filing system (er, not more interesting) can translate as an example of great initiative when it comes time for you to go on the interview circuit.
Rex FeaturesStay Balanced
Er, unlike Betty Draper. Seriously - feeling frustrated with the direction your career is taking can feel VERY frustrating, especially in a weak economy. But at the end of the day (even a very long work day), it's important to remember that you are not your job. Even if you have to schedule it in next to your meetings, make an effort to remind yourself every day that you work to live, not live to work. Striving to maintain a work-life balance means that you'll stay positive - and be able to channel that positive energy into the next great opportunity that comes your way.
