From Hopeful to Hired – How to Land Your Dream Job in 2018
There are 224 days left of 2018 as this article is being written. That’s over 5,000 hours, yet they can fly past quickly. If getting a dream job was on your plans for 2018, then it’s time to stop dreaming and start acting (if you haven’t yet started).
So, how can you land your dream job by the end of 2018?
Find your ideal position
Finding your dream job may be easier said than done, but it’s an important step to take if you don’t want to end up settling in a career you dread going to. Once you know what you want to do, search for the company or the job you want to apply for and start tailoring your resume for the position.
Improve your skills and experience before you apply
What specific skills and experience does the position require? Find out and note them down and find examples for each. If you don’t have any skills or experience for some of the tasks, now is your chance to build on that before you apply. There are many ways to do this, depending on the career you are going for.
Here are some ways you can get started:
- conducting research on the industry, jobs and companies of interest
- creating a portfolio of your relevant work
- look for training courses that can help you gain more skill in your field of interest
- volunteer
- provide services for free to select number of people
- produce digital or physical products/presentations
There is still plenty of time left and it will show the employer you took initiative to gain more experience especially for this role. Not many people will take this step, so it’s a great way to make yourself stand out if you don’t have much previous experience to show or talk about yet, but you know you could do the job well.
Increase your confidence
One of the qualities employers look for in potential candidates is confidence. You need to feel confident enough to come across well in the interview, and the recruiter needs to feel confident that they are choosing the right person for the job. There are several ways to raise your confidence at job interviews, but the most important thing is to be yourself, and familiarize yourself with the position and how your skills, passion and experience relate to that. By clarifying this to yourself, it will transcend to employers as you talk about it during the interview. Instead of questions being answered with ‘erm’ or even worse, a blank mind altogether, you will have it fresh in your mind. Take a copy of your resume with you to help refresh and one for the recruiter in case they don’t have it on hand.
Tips for passing the interview stages
Combined with the above points, body language is an important part of any job interview. Behaviors like maintaining natural eye contact when speaking and listening, ensuring your speech rate is not too fast (or slow) and having a good attitude goes a long way in an interview. Not only does it show the recruiter that you are presently engaged, but it gives them an idea of how attentive and switched-on you are likely to be if given the job.
Things to do or say to make yourself stand out
The best positions always have competition, but not all of the candidates will do these things listed. From your introduction to the time you leave (and afterwards) you have opportunities to make your application stand out. Introduce yourself with a genuine smile and good handshake, be polite from the moment you enter the building and always thank the interviewer for their time at the end.
To go the extra mile, send a thank you letter (or email) after the interview to summarize your conversation and reiterate your interest in the position following the interview. Remember recruiters are human too, so you can make a connection and differentiate your conversation by answering the questions well and asking the interviewer a couple of good questions when invited to.
Career coaching
Maximize your chances of landing your dream position with the support and knowledge of a certified career coach. They can help take you to the next level of yourself, so you can see clearly which direction you want to go and how to get there. Your career coach is also the person to bounce ideas off of and gain valuable feedback on how you may be perceived at job interviews. Visit Noomii to find a career coach in your chosen field. You can also take an online mock job interview to gain insights into your current interview skills, so you can go over the results with your coach.
Whether you are just starting out after graduation or you want a career change, you can use these tips to maximize your chances of receiving your ideal job offer quicker than you may have imagined. Let’s make the most of the rest of 2018 and begin working towards a job you love, today.
Thinking of hiring a career coach to help you find your dream job? Browse our directory of career coaches and get a FREE consultation or request a personalized coach recommendation!
Get a Personalized Coach Recommendation!
Related reading:
About the Author Craig Rosen
This article was provided by Craig Rosen, the founder of InterviewFocus, the brand new patented software to help people increase career confidence, enhance their job interview skills, and land their dream position
