Anyone who has ever job hunted knows how daunting the process can be. The process becomes even more challenging when you set your heart out on a specific job. You wouldn’t want to land a job that makes you miserable every day. Even though you might be desperate to make ends meet, the goal is not to start working on any job that comes your way. Your dream job should also match your skills and your qualifications perfectly so that you can get a chance to practice what you have learned so far. If you are ready to do what it takes to land your dream job, keep reading this article to learn a few helpful tips and tricks.

Set clear goals

You need to do more than identify your dream career. Dig deeper within yourself and find out what positions would satisfy you in the long run. It would also help if you set clear career goals, so you don’t compromise what you want for a lucrative job offer.

Find out what it takes to land your dream job

If you were to travel to a different city by air or bus, you would like to know the distance between the two cities and how long it would take to arrive at your destination. Similarly, if you are sure you want a dream job, we suggest doing ample research to determine if you have what it takes to land it. An excellent way to gather valuable information would be to sit down with a professional in your desired field and ask them about the nitty gritties of working in your dream industry.

Optimize your resume

By now, you should be familiar with relevant keywords in your industry. Ensure you include these keywords in your resume to bypass any algorithm screening software. It would help if you also were keen to use AI-friendly formats in your resume to increase your chances of landing your dream job. For instance, avoid using creative or unusual job titles that an AI wouldn’t easily recognize.

Learn new skills

After doing ample research and realizing you are far from qualified for your dream career, it would be wise to start learning some new skills. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on tuition fees when you can download an e-book or take a free course online. These new skills can help you gain more experience and help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

Look for an experienced mentor

A mentor with many years of experience in your field of interest can connect you with influential people and let you know of any available job opportunities. For instance, if you are looking for IT jobs in Auckland, your mentor could help you identify companies that require skilled talent. A good mentor will lead by example and show you how to advance in your career and personal life.

Try freelancing

Transitioning to your dream job can be exhilarating and scary at the same time. An excellent way to ensure a smooth transition and hone your craft is to try freelancing. An added advantage of freelancing is that you could keep your full-time job as you tackle freelance tasks on the side. Companies might hire you after you work for them on a freelance basis once they are pleased with your diligent work and passion.

Ditch conventional job hunting techniques

Career change experts and consultants worldwide advise applicants to move away from the traditional methods of uncovering leads, such as job boards. The goal is to pitch yourself as a unique find, and these conventional job hunting techniques will do you no justice. Since career changers like yourself tend to be creative, it is high time you embraced non-conventional methods such as networking or directly reaching out to prospective employers.

Gain experience by volunteering

We cannot guarantee you will be employed in your dream career right away. However, you could consider becoming an intern or volunteering in a similar work environment to gain traction. Charity work also allows you to hone your skills at a slow pace and learn from your colleagues and supervisors. Ensure you work diligently because you never know who is silently watching and is pleased with your work.

Obtain the necessary credentials

Now that you have acquired the necessary skills to become proficient in your dream career, it would be best to make things official. Employers and managers would feel more confident in your prowess if they had proof of certification. You could do short courses online and get certified within months of completing the course.

Create a safety net

It could take weeks or months before you can land your dream job. You will need a constant stream of income to settle your bills during this time. It would help if you saved some money in an emergency fund or set up a savings account to cushion you if things go south. If you plan on quitting your 9-5 job, ensure you save up enough money before you give up your paycheck.

Consider moonlighting

You might get cold feet at the thought of starting afresh in a new career. It would be a shame to land your dream job only to discover it was a passing phase in your life. We suggest you try moonlighting, which is the practice of working on your dream job while being employed elsewhere. Moonlighting is an excellent litmus test to help you determine whether you are truly passionate and dedicated to working in your dream job.

Wrapping up

There could be thousands of other applicants who want to land a job in the field you are interested in too. Therefore, it is up to you to ensure you stand out from the rest and prove to your employers that you are a perfect fit for their organization. Job hunting is not for the faint at heart. However, if you put in the work and implement the tips discussed above, you will eventually land the job of your dreams.