Question: I am going to graduate from a great college, and I am looking ahead sorting through options. I did internships over the past two summers, but neither of those employers has offered me a full-time job. What do I need to create the “dream job” for myself?
Answer: To work into your “dream job,” you first have to be a “dreamer.” Then, you need to have some kind of practical plan of how to get there from where you are now.
Be The Person Who Gets the Job
Self-confidence, resilience and vision will set you apart from other graduates with similar credentials and internship experience. Have you thought about contacting those two employers? If they tell you they anticipate no open opportunities, ask if they would accept a willing volunteer (you). If they seem reluctant, engage in conversation with someone, and get all of the feedback you can obtain.
Rely On Feedback
Feedback is one of the most valuable tools for self-advancement. Without it, you flounder and can only guess what employers are really looking for. Without feedback, you also overlook some critical ways in which you can acquire skills or improve upon those you already have. It takes guts and courage to reach out and hear a less-than-positive assessment. Yet, it all pays off because, in the long run, you gain concrete ways to prepare yourself to apply for long-term opportunities.
Use Actual Position Descriptions to Define Your Search
As you reach out to former employers, go on the Web, and find a couple of job descriptions that appeal to you. Tape them someplace where you can often see them. Draft cover letters and a resume that respond to each and every skill required (even if you do not yet have them all). Make and use a “missing skills” list as a template for what you need to acquire by experience or training. See if there any items you can perfect or obtain while in search mode.
Make A Plan
Create a checklist for yourself with dates and deadlines. Hold yourself accountable. Get up each day knowing what you will be doing to get that job you desire. Some days, you will have impressive action items such as attending informational meetings, interviews or psychological testing in connection with a job possibility. Other days, you may have a relatively simple goal like contacting a professor to get a recommendation or hunting down copies of your transcripts. Whatever it is, have action items to do every day until you land a new job.
Think Globally
Beyond all of these tips, keep an open mind. What if the job you desire opens up in Dubai or Sidney, Australia? Will you jump at the opportunity, or will you hesitate? We are operating in a global marketplace, so those who want to advance their careers have to be open to other places and spaces. Nothing beats having the flexibility to relocate. At your phase of life, this is not only possible, but it also may be your ticket to success.
So, your immediate plan should be to cultivate a mindset that sees openings, possibilities and avenues for pursuing your career path with energy, consistency and a plan. And, when you get a job, quickly figure out how it related to the “dream job” you have selected. This will keep you energized and fired up about your accomplishments and will inspire you to continue to steer your career in the directions you choose.
Contact Karen Alphonse at Karena@execSearches.com or visit ExecSearches.com for more information about our career coaching services.
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