Considering the number of individuals that are graduating and the imbalance in the availability of jobs in the market, you need to be special to get your dream job. To stand out of the crowd of your graduating batch, who have studied the same things that you have, you need to be proactive and show you deserve the position.
A degree from your university is just the beginning of your professional career, but in order to really boost yourself into the position of your dreams and grow as a professional you are required to project yourself as a superior candidate.
Not getting your dream job may be off-putting and depressing but you must continue your search and make sure you don’t stop until you find what you truly want to do in your life. Follow these tactics and you just might land your dream job:
Start with why
Knowing your ‘why’ is crucial for every individual and organization. As Simon Sinek puts it “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it”. Hence every individual must know why they want to do what they want to do. Do you want to be a copywriter? Why? Start with that. Let people know why you want to do what you want to do. Passionate people make the best employees and you need to deliver that passion to the other person. Practice why you want to do what you want to do before the time comes.
Be a go-getter
Everyone sends in their resume with the “Dear Sir/Madam” approach and gets no results. Ever wondered why? That is because you get lost in the crowd. To stand out from the crowd and show that you really mean business, do a little research and address the person responsible for the listing. Show them that you are interested. Everyone likes people who show initiative.
Upgrade your resume
The world has changed dramatically with the digital mediums and your CV or resume looks the same as the hundred before or after it. That makes you just another piece of paper that will have generic terms. What you can do to stand out of that pile of resume is try something innovative and different. Make a video stating why you’re a good fit for the job and send it. Personalize your resume and give it the made-for-this-job feel. Read here about the guy who turned his resume into a magazine and landed an internship without an interview. Need help updating your resume? Connect with me here and I will help you out.
Network
The next time there is a job fair at your university or a guest speaker is there for a session, try getting to know them. Go up to them and say hi. Before we lived in a digital world, that is how networking was done. Practice an introduction, go up to the person and really talk to them. Even if they can’t help you with a recommendation, they will help you with insights.
Develop the skills required
Your graduating batch has the same skill-sets more or less and you are no different than the hundred-people standing next to you. Research what is required by the job that you want to pursue and start brushing up on those skills. Follow me here to get details for free courses online in an upcoming article that you can complete to step up your game.
Don’t quit on what you’re doing
While you are pursuing the search for a dream job, don’t pass up on the position that you already have. Learn from the experience that you acquire during any job you pursue and continue working towards your passion. Every experience teaches you something invaluable and there are always bills that need to be paid.
Get to know the industry
Looking at an industry from the perspective of a class and from a professional point of view are extremely different scenarios. You might imagine the stock market to be a place where there is chaos and people are making millions amidst the chaos, but trust me on this, it’s as calm as any other work-space I have visited with people glued to their screens. So, dig up some insights on what you want to pursue and try getting to know the industry better. Another way to do this is get an internship in the industry. It will provide you with firsthand information on what it’s like to work in that field.
Digital presence
Be conscious of your digital presence as recruiters search you on social mediums before calling you up. One wrong post will make sure you never get that call. Treat your digital profiles as your brand and create the perception that you want to portray. Be as professional as you can in your conduct and don’t just limit the professionalism to LinkedIn as Facebook profiles are scrutinized too.
Be prepared
Always be prepared and brush up on industry insights whenever you get the chance. You never know when you might get the call. Also, have a fresh suit and tie ready for all those interviews that are going to be lined up. A lot of candidates make the mistake of showing up without being prepared. This shows that you are not interested and is taken as an insult by the recruiter.
Move on
As negative as it sounds, you sometimes must move on and wait for an opportunity until the right time comes. So, don’t be disappointed if you don’t land the job of your dreams right after you graduate. Most of the people who are where they wanted to be ten years ago, believed in themselves and worked passionately towards their goals. Not everyone lands their dream job as soon as they want to. The power of attraction however, makes sure you get to the right place when the time is right.
Don’t lose your passion if you are not where you wanted to be and continue with what you are doing right now. Just follow your inner path and do your current job passionately, it will eventually lead you to your dream job. I have seen people make impossible moves and get to the position they promised themselves to be in. So, don’t lose hope and carry on towards your goal.
