Planning your career — get to the dream job you want
With the right process, mind frame, and experience you can carve out a career path that’ll get you to the career you want – even if you’re not sure what that is just yet. The next time you’re career planning, use these invaluable tips to help you get there.
Career exploration with an open mind
Sifting through career options is a task with near-limitless possibilities, so have fun exploring
- Be open to different options
- Having experience in more than one spectrum makes you invaluable to employers, so a career change could result in making substantially larger amounts of money
Keep a solid record of your accomplishments
Professional social networking sites are a great way to keep tabs on your accomplishments.
- Your future employer can’t and won’t hire you if they don’t know what you’re capable of
- Create an impressive resumé/portfolio of yourself and make an action plan
Set Goals
Determine what skills you need, what projects might help you build your resume, and how to get the experience you need
- Set attainable goals, and focus on the things you can control
- Track your efforts and be sure to track your progress
Prepare yourself for interview questions
Discuss detail in your answers to show that you know what you’re talking about
Ask for career advice
Ask for advice from knowledgeable sources
- This can be someone internal in your organization or someone outside of it
- If you applied for a job and didn’t get it, try to ask for advice and look for reasons why they didn’t hire you
Some suggested steps
Build an impressive portfolio/resume
- Add your portfolio to online job marketplaces
- Apply to as many jobs as possible
- Be prepared for responding to job offers
- You should be prepared for multiple interview stages, have examples of your work to provide, and be ready for the long haul
Obtain as much information as possible
Highlight what skills you have, what jobs look interesting, and what gaps may exist
- LinkedIn, Ziprecruiter, Indeed, and other professional networking sites are great for finding jobs and other career information
- Look over some job listings and see what skills are required
Career success happens with a positive tone
Smile and wave before success touches your fingertips.
- Say things like ‘what’s up!’ or ‘how are you today?’ in an excited tone. This will attract more attention to you and give you a greater chance of being hired.
Say no to low numbers
Show that you value yourself and your time by asking for more money and sticking to your guns when you’re asked for money
Find the Job You Love
The most important thing about life is enjoying it
- When you’re planning your career, aim for something you’ll enjoy
- Don’t settle for a job you hate
- Not everyone will necessarily land their dream job, but don’t settle if you don’t enjoy it
Narrow Down Your Choices
Use a checklist to help you decipher which jobs you want and which ones you don’t
Job Shadowing
Many organizations may allow you to do some job shadowing as part of your role.
- If your organization doesn’t permit it, consider looking for other places to get the skills. Volunteering with a local organization or helping someone doing work similar to the career you might be interested in.
Be multi-faceted
Successful people often excel at more than one occupation.