How to Land Your Dream Job

More often than not, when it comes to job searching, many qualified individuals are at least minimally aware of the do’s and don’ts of securing a position. As important as this base knowledge may be, however, we must also come to recognize the significant distinction between landing a job and landing one’s dream job.

The difference lies chiefly in passion; in other words, does the job that you are considering involve work that you will be excited to perform on a day-to-day basis, or is it just what’s getting dinner on the table and paying the bills?

The answer matters, because passion will funnel through the work you perform while also reminding your boss of the advantage of hiring you in the first place, keeping you around, and perhaps even promoting you down the line. Landing your dream job– as opposed to just any job– is important, and while not everyone’s path to getting there may look the same, there are some strategies that our experts at Barbachano International have determined to prove to be more effective than others. Looking for a game plan? Here are some of the best ways to go about landing your dream job sooner rather than later. 

Tailor your job search.

Once you’ve determined what your dream job looks like, it’s time to make sure your job search parallels just that (or, at the very least, sets a foundation for you to get there down the line). In other words, if it’s an available option for you, stop applying to any random opening you see online, and instead tighten your belt and let your narrowed search yield some results. Consider only the positions that are on the trajectory towards where you envision yourself down the line. Try not to falter from your objectives.

Be realistic.

If you’re still underqualified for your dream job, don’t give up, but also don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. Narrow your hunt, and consider what step comes right before the end goal. If this is a position better suited for you at this time, aim there and be willing to work your way up towards your goal down the line. No one goes from a blank resumé to a C-Suite position immediately. Be patient. Without selling yourself short, dial it back to what you’re qualified for, and build up from there. The takeaway here can be summed up through the old adage, “Be stubborn about your goals, and flexible about your methods.

Passion.

Remember when we talked earlier about the importance of passion when it comes to how you feel about your work? Well, the same rings true for even just landing the job in the first place. Enthusiasm can go a long way when it comes to standing out as a candidate; showing your passion early on in the hiring process serves as reassurance to your potential employer than he/she can rely on you to care about the work they might assign. Passion is not only a good indication of commitment; it is also a measure of self-awareness, determination, and a myriad of other qualities that hiring managers seek in potential future employees.

Build your network and reach out.

You never know what sort of connections those in your network might have. It might just so happen that your former colleague has a family friend with an in at your dream job, but you’ll never know unless you reach out.  Reach out to your business network and ask for specific referrals to executive level hiring managers at potential employers. It is quite common for high level executives to plan to hire and make organizational personnel changes which HR is not aware of.  If you reach out to them directly and send your resume, most of the time you will have little or no competition, as there is no formal job opening that has been published. This represents a big advantage to you. This may come as a challenge to your comfort zone, but networking can be one of the most useful tools in your box. However, it’s important to note that there is an art to organic networking, and a fine line between respectfully interested and overbearing– find it.

Write a high-impact resume and cover letter.

A killer cover letter and resume should open the doors for you. You can’t do your magic unless the door is opened for you. Craft a genuine and thought-out cover letter. Don’t copy-paste a generic one that you’ve been recycling for yours. Just as you tailored your job search to your exact needs and desires, you should also tailor your cover letter to address the needs and desires of your potential employer. Your resume should be a New York Times Best Seller of “YOU.” Show how you have added value and quantify as much as you can. Remember the best real estate in a resume is the first third of the initial page. Highlight your strengths as they relate to the job you are applying for.

Do the prep work.

By the time you’ve landed an interview, you will have come too close to your goal to just let it slip away. Be proactive. Don’t just wing it. Sit down and do as much research as possible. Be knowledgeable about the company and what exactly the position demands. Find out what are the key challenges and what is broken and needs to be fixed. This will help you better articulate how you’ve solved similar problems in the past, how you can help them, and why you are the best candidate for the job. Be cognizant, and above all remember to put your best foot forward.

 A lot of work goes into finding the right fit for your future, but it’s undoubtedly worth it. If you are looking to shorten the gap between your current job and your dream job, visit our Barbachano blog and let Barbachano International help you craft your avenue towards meaningful employment. The difference between a fulfilling career and just a job lies in your determination to attain it, and with so many resources ranging from HR trends to watch for to how to ace the most important interview question, the answer is really at your fingertips.

About Barbachano International

Barbachano International (BIP) is the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm in the Americas (USA, Mexico, Latin America, & Canada) with a focus on diversity and multicultural target markets.  Outplacement and Executive Coaching services are provided by our sister allied company Challenger Gray & Christmas. Since 1992, BIP and its affiliates have impacted the profitability of over 50% of Fortune 500 Companies.  BIP has been recognized by Forbes as Americas’ Best Executive Search Firms and currently ranks #27 and #3 on the West Coast.  Headquartered in San Diego, California with satellite offices in Florida and Mexico.  As member-owners of NPAworldwide Recruitment Network, we are supported by partner offices in over 50 countries.