Throughout the course of our lives we spend a lot of time working (some may say too much!) However this will seem like no time at all if you are doing something you love. All should aim to discover their ideal occupation; life is too short to spend nine hours a day doing something you hate.
8 Questions that will help you to find out what jobs you should try
These questions are all about defining your ideal job, not letting your job define your career. Write your answers down to identify what you’d like to do, what you’d be best at and the places where you’d be happiest working.
- What gets me out of bed in the morning?
- If I didn’t need money, what would I do in life?
- What was I most fascinated with as a child?
- When in my life have I been so passionately focused on an activity that I lost track of time and what was I doing?
- What do I want to be remembered for in life?
- What do I believe I do best?
- What do others say I do best?
- What am I most recognized for in life and work?
Finding job vacancies
The next step is finding vacancies for the job you want to have. Of course you can use the Internet for this, or printed media may serve you fine to find your ideal job vacancy. Also, you should not underestimate the force of your social network. If you let people know you are looking for a job, they might be able to direct you to an interesting vacancy.
Target your dream companies
You could also send out open applications to companies you would like to work for.
Salary at the backseat
When it’s about landing a dream job, the priority should be satisfaction and not money. Your quest should not be for a job that offers you the most lucrative salary. In fact it should be a job that can give you a sense of gratification.
Take vocational training
Do not let the fact that you lack certain qualifications or skills put you off that dream job, there is no reason why you can’t find out exactly what is required and train for the role.
Gaining a new vocational qualification can be one of the best ways to stimulate change, whether by increasing your chances of promotion or by helping you to move into an entirely new line of work.
Use LinkedIn
- Ensure you have an attention- catching headshot.
- Use keywords in your headline (tagline) and your profile summary.
- Complete all the profile sections.
- Take advantage of recommendations and endorsements.
Join LinkedIn groups
By joining a group, LinkedIn grants you access to connect with members of the group that helps you grow your first-degree network and communicate through direct messaging. For job seekers, having access to recruiters and hiring managers is a valuable commodity.
In addition to HR/recruiting groups, join groups that are relevant to your industry or profession.
Twitter is a great resource for job seekers. Following job-related Twitter experts also provides job seekers with insight related to job openings, tips, and access to some of the top hiring brands.
Optimise your social media profiles: make yourself more searchable
Social media sites provide the biggest social circle you could wish for and that’s perfect if you’re looking to move on in your career. Don’t be shy when it comes to asking contacts you know to introduce you to others that you are keen to connect with. Don’t forget to connect with those companies you would like to work for, however, if you use Twitter or Facebook to find employment, you’ll have to treat it professionally.
I strongly recommend setting up your security settings so that people are unable to upload “incriminating” pictures of you without your knowledge.
Work with an expert
If you are still having trouble finding the perfect job, consider working with a professional recruiter who knows your local job market and your industry. Great recruiters have connections at top companies, and they often know about potential jobs before they are released on job boards or classified ads. Plus, they can help you refine your resume and provide valuable career advice to steer you in the right direction.
Read> Top 10 Job Interview mistakes
Make your own business cards
And give them out to everyone you meet, telling them you’re looking for work.
Stream on YouTube
The biggest selling point of a video resume is that there are very few of those out there, and it’s a great way to break through the clutter. Keep it short, explain why you’re best for a certain job and tell an interesting story on your professional background. Then when you’re satisfied, upload it on YouTube and provide a link on networking sites.
When No Job Ticks all Your Boxes, Create Your Own
It may be a myth to think that the ONE perfect job is out there for you. After all, that is a big ask of the poor little job to fulfill all your work and life dreams at once. However, there is also an alternative and that is to create your own job. This could mean setting up your own business or creating a portfolio career of all the things you enjoy.
Have you found your perfect job? Share the experience with us in the comments or on Facebook. Tweet Us > #PApriveUK
