Focus on your "Dream Job"

They say that there are three components to a dream job?

1. Taking pleasure in ones work

2. The ability to help others

3. Receiving a high salary

So if one were to target this panacea, common sense would suggest to focus on the industry that is of most interest, and the one that would most likely house their "dream job."

The steps involved:

1. Be realistic about your skillset.

In this day and age, you must have a relatable background.

I grow so tired of candidates that tell me that they would like to move into an executive position within a sports company or with a sports team based solely on their love of sports.

Yes, you and every other guy wants that position.

2. Find the key stakeholders and reach out to them. Perhaps there is a common friend or contact that could facilitate a warm introduction or meeting.

Check Linkedin.

3. Prepare for your meeting or interview by being able to eloquently express in a concise manner why you a interested in the company and what you believe that you could contribute.

Practice your elevator pitch as it needs to be very tight.

A fan of a company who rambles during a meeting, who is not direct in their approach, and who cannot quickly communicate why they want to work for the company, is not a person that will likely be referred to a stakeholder by the employee of that company.

People only feel comfortable referring people who present well, as they do not wish their own image to be tarnished for company executives as someone who is a poor judge of talent.

4. Stay in touch with the contacts that you meet and keep that network active.

Companies constantly create new roles, so if there is no specific fit now, that does not mean that there will not be a fit at a later date.

If there are holes in your experience that precludes you from being hired, address those short comings by either seeking similar exposure within your current company or by gaining the experience through volunteering.

Not For Profits are often great ways to get exposure to new areas.

Additional courses or education can also help, but make sure that you evaluate the payback before overinvesting in this area.

5. Continue to network and stay in touch. Too many people forget this step and walk away.

Confident candidates who know that they can bring value are the ones that tend to have the best follow up.

There is a fine line between persistence and stalking, but by staying top of mind can place you on a very short list of people called when a position is suddenly created.

Farewell,

Mike