How to Land Your Dream Job
I get a lot of questions about the job market and why it’s so difficult to find a position right now. Truthfully, we have more people looking for positions than available jobs, and it’s creating a lot of pressure on the job searching process.
However, what I’m more concerned about is WHY we have so many people job searching. What is happening right now that’s forcing so many people to look for new positions? Well….the answer is, worker engagement has hit an all-time low.
As of 2024, worker engagement has hit an 11-year low, with 4.8 million fewer workers feeling engaged in their jobs just this year. This marks the lowest level of engagement we've seen since 2013. For me, as a Career Coach, this signals a significant shift: people are no longer satisfied in their positions and they want something different. They’re seeking the right fit for their unique situations, desiring excitement, engagement, and a job that complements their personal lives. I completely understand this sentiment; after all, we all want to feel energized and passionate about our work.
While it’s easy to get sucked into applying for anything, I never encourage my clients to do that. This is not a numbers game dependent on the sheer number of jobs you apply for. Your job search should never be about quantity, but always focused on quality.
Landing your dream job requires intentionality and a strategic approach to your job search. You have to always keep pushing towards your goals and being calculated about when/how you apply. While it may seem like a daunting process, these are the 5 key elements that land you that dream job:
1. Mindset Activation: Before you begin your job search, it's crucial to get into the right headspace. This isn’t just about preparing to submit applications; it’s about believing that you can find your dream job. Do you think a dream job even exists for you? Do you believe it’s achievable? If not, that dream job will remain out of reach.
2. Understanding Yourself: The second most important phase is taking the time to pause and reflect on your career. You need to dive deep into who you are, what you want out of life, how you operate, and when you feel your best. This serves as your roadmap for identifying the positions that are the right fit for YOU, not the other way around.
3. Exploring Your Options: Once you have a solid grasp on who you are and what you want, you can begin to explore your options. Using your self-understanding to search for positions that align with your personality, values, and strengths, you will research and refine to create a list of potential opportunities.
4. Creating a Strategy: After identifying positions that align with your career goals, it's time to create a specific, measurable, and actionable strategy to get there. This isn’t about randomly submitting applications; it’s about having a strategic, intentional game plan to secure your next job as quickly as possible.
5. Taking Action: The final step is to take as much action as possible. To see results, you need to put yourself out there, try new things, and let people know you are searching. Don’t stay isolated during your job search. Grow your network, enhance your skill sets, and get comfortable with promoting yourself.
Most importantly, remember that these are all the things we never learn in school. We are never taught how to understand ourselves, never taught how to job search, never taught how to write a resume, never taught how to interview. Yet, we’re expected to know all of these things and be successful in the job search. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean on those around you and allow professionals in the field to guide you. We’re here to help and we want you to succeed just as much as you do!
Xo, Cydney
