When you were a kid, did you ever dream about the job you wanted? Perhaps you had a dream job but ended up somewhere else. Maybe your dream changed over time and now you don’t know what your dream is. The truth is, many people don’t end up in a job they love or dreamed of… at least for a while. For most, it takes time to get there.
Your dream job is one that you can love. It should be one that helps you make a livable income but it will also help you feel satisfied. It’s where you can cultivate your passion and find fulfillment through the work you're doing.
So, how do you get on the path to your dream job? How do you make sure a job is actually your dream? In her video “How to Land Your Dream Job”, Communications Expert Vanessa Van Edwards explains that the day-to-day duties of a job need to match with what you’re truly passionate about.
What puts you in a good flow?
One way to figure out what you really enjoy is to be aware of the things that naturally bring you joy. What do you like to do in your free time? What is it about those things that keep you engaged? Is it working with people? Using your hands? Being creative? Things that put you into a good flow and feel good are the types of activities that you might enjoy in a job.
While hobbies don’t always translate directly into a job or business, they can indicate what type of work or jobs that are closely related to your hobby. For example, if you enjoy using your hands, being an Electrician, HVAC repair person or Plumber could be good career options.
If you enjoy helping others, caring for them, or encouraging them, a job in human resources as a Nurse or as a Counselor could be a good career choice. If you like doing science experiments, jobs like Phlebotomist, Laboratory Technician, or Chemist could be potential options.
What is your personality type?
Another excellent way to figure out which jobs will fit you best is to do a personality test. The free personality test from 16 Personalities is an excellent way to understand yourself better and discover good career options.
What does a Career Assessment indicate?
An easy way to understand what careers best fit your interests, skills, and lifestyle preference, is to take an assessment. Our School Counselor at Smart Schools recommends My Next Move, a tool created by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.
Landing the Job
Once you know what types of jobs you want, you can begin looking. Keeping a list of physical needs and wants will make the right jobs more clear. Consider things like:
Location - is it close enough?
Hours - do they work with your personal life?
Pay - does it cover your expenses?
Culture- does the company have a culture that works for you?
Where to Look
Online Job Listings
Job sites like Indeed.com, Ziprecruiter.com, Glassdoor.com, and Careerbuilder.com are typical places to find a job online. Many companies post their job opportunities on these sites. There are also many people searching for a job online so, there can be a lot of competition for these jobs.
Lesser-known sites like Arizona@Work can be great places to search for jobs.
Career/Job Fairs
Career fairs can be great for meeting potential employers and giving them a chance to get to know you personally. When potential employers meet you face-to-face, you get an opportunity to stand out from the competition.
Look for Career Fairs and other in-person job networking events through your school or community groups/organizations like Pipeline AZ.
Ask your people
It’s always a good idea to get referred to a job versus applying without any connections to a company. When you are referred to a job by someone, you are more likely to get more consideration for a role. For that reason, don’t hesitate to ask those you know if they are aware of any job opportunities that they would recommend for you. You never know what you might discover!
There are different reasons why we take jobs but some of them won’t necessarily lead to satisfaction or fulfillment. When we settle for a job that’s not right for us, we often end up in a situation where we feel trapped or unhappy. Don’t settle for any job. Find your flow to get a job you love, and don’t take it for granted.
If you’re a Smart Schools student and interested in getting help to find a job you will love, contact Angela Chicci, College & Career Readiness Advisor at angelac@iwantmydiploma.com!
