6 Tips for Landing Your Dream Job

Do you have a job that’s just like everyone else’s? Are you looking for a nine-to-five…but wish you weren’t? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work? I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called How’d You Score That Gig? (www.scorethatgig.com, Ballantine Books). These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, internet business owners and more, have one thing in common – persistence.

As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Here are six tips to get you started:

1)Learn about yourself. Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you’d be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.

2)Don’t be deterred by a lack of experience. In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you’ll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.

3)Ease into a new career one foot at a time. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you’re passionate about something is to try it – ideally with as little risk as you can manage.

4)Remember that any progress is good progress. Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they’re afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like e-mailing a networking contact or attending an event – that moves you a bit closer to your big picture goal.

5)Start early. Twenty and thirty-somethings have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you’re unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven’t yet reached a level in a career where it’s tougher to turn back. That said, it’s never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.

6)Have realistic expectations. Even if you’re lucky enough to hold your dream job, there’s no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don’t love. And dream job doesn’t mean “cushy” job. As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!

By Alexandra Levitn who is the author of How’d You Score That Gig: A Guide to the Coolest Careers – and How To Get Them (www.scorethatgig.com, Ballantine Books).

 

 

Why Self Evaluation And Honesty Are SO Critical To Success

On going self evaluation and honesty are critical in determining where you are on your success path – from the beginning to the finish line. From experience I find that most people truly believe that they are doing far more than they really are, along the way.

Look at this example about “Ed”, who was a security guard at an office where I once worked. Ed was around 35 years old at the time – not the stereotypical, “semi-retired” elderly night watch man that you see portrayed in films and on television. Ed’s job consisted of making sure that when people entered the building, they had the proper credentials, such as a company I.D. or visitor’s pass. In addition, his job consisted of one or two walks around the halls in the building to ensure that the emergency exits were secure.

In short, not a lot of activity…

Ed did, however, spend a lot of time reading while at the desk. As I recall, he probably devoured a paperback novel every other day or so.

When entering the building I would always ask Ed how his day was progressing. His standard reply was “I’m pretty busy today!” At the time, several of us were working on a six-month-long project that involved long meetings, 14-hour days and flying around the country to meet with customers. Hence, my business associates and I would exchange skeptical glances at each other when Ed informed us of his work load.

Perhaps Ed’s goal in life was just to do what he was doing sitting at a desk reading – and for some, I guess there’s nothing wrong with that at all.

However, to reach the top of any endeavor it pays to be focused, determined, confident, courageous and energetic. But for those of us who have higher aspirations and dreams are YOU REALLY doing enough on your success quest?

It is said that “If you want to get something done, give it to a busy, effective person.” Do not look at how little you can do, but how much you can do. In life, the busy, effective person will always be in demand, for they establish the reputation of being a “can do” person.

Of course, everyone wants to do something, but there are few that will put forward the needed effort and make the necessary sacrifices to get what they want. There is only one way to accomplish anything today — set your mind to concentrate on doing it and let nothing interfere with your progress. Obstacles are quickly overcome by the person that sets out to accomplish their heart’s desire.

Ask your self these questions:

1) Do I even have a plan?

2) If yes, do I have clearly defined, realistic goals to ensure that I stay on track? For example, if it is to lose weight, have I identified what I need to do and broken it down into achievable parts?

3) Have I designed in, checkpoints / evaluation points to make sure that I am “on track”? For instance, if your goal is to save money for your first new home, am I achieving the amount of savings I need?

4) Do I have a timeline to ensure that I stay on track?

5) As I evaluate my progress, am I prepared to look long and hard “in the mirror” and be honest with my progress? Am I being honest with my capabilities? Am I prepared to have a trusted advisor constructively critique my progress?

Taking the time to do steps 1 – 5 above will pay manifold dividends for you on your quest for success. Be honest with your self and make self evaluation part of your plan. For more details see our success systems, The Power Of Concentration or The Power Of Thought.

Keith A. Shaw, President of http://www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com is an authority on motivation, self improvement, success, health and wellness.

 

Michael Jordon’s Got Nothing On You

I made a mistake last week involving pants… I bought them. The problem is, and I have to say that I pretty much knew this before I left the store, they don’t fit.

In my defense, I am a man. I don’t like clothes-shopping to begin with, and when you throw in the extra step of having to try things on, I get to a point where I’d gladly plunk down my credit card on an ill-fitting clown suit, if I thought it would get me out of the store faster.

But the real mistake was taking the pants home, cutting off the tags and then deciding they don’t really fit. Now I’m stuck with them, and despite having spent the better part of this week trying to convince myself that they’re okay, I know I am a liar.

In my experience (and in this case, I don’t think it applies to just men) most of us settle on a profession in about the same way. We wander around, try a few things on, and, if we find something we can squeeze into, we take it.

Unfortunately, and based on emails, phone calls and cups of coffee with lots of working people, there are way too many of us just tolerating work, instead of thriving in it. We have, in effect, cut the tags off before finding a good fit.

Which brings me to Michael Jordan. Here’s a guy who, in his 13 years as a professional basketball player, won just about every award imaginable in that sport; he’s arguably the best ever to walk the face of the Earth. So much so that if you were to describe the attributes of the ideal basketball player, you’d more or less describe Jordan, up to and including his winning personality, which made him ideal for product endorsements.

But here’s the key question: Was he really that extraordinary as a human being, or was he just lucky? Lucky, in the sense that the things that came naturally to him – height, speed, strength, intelligence, endurance, competitiveness, and a love of basketball – just happened to be a perfect fit for an existing profession?

I believe it’s more the latter. Sure he worked hard, but no more than you or I do. The fact is, if being unusually tall were a negative in basketball instead of the positive that it is, Jordan might have just turned out to be one more good-looking bald guy named Michael.

This next thing I’m about to say may sound like an exaggeration, but I don’t think it is.

I think we’re all Michael Jordans (or Bruce Springsteens or Donald Trumps, or anyone who’s had extraordinary success in a given field). The problem is that for most people, the unique package of skills, abilities and interests within each of us doesn’t fit perfectly and obviously into an existing profession. So we pick from among the available options and settle for good enough.

Or maybe we don’t. My view – after spending the first 20 years of my professional life in conventional jobs, being slightly successful doing things I slightly liked – is that the point of starting your own business is to create a custom-made occupation. A unique livelihood that pulls together all the things you love and are good at doing, into one basketball-dunking, crowd-pleasing, “Can I have your autograph please?” concoction. It sure beats working.

And so as you sit here thinking about 2007 – particularly if you’re not energized by what you’re doing every day – maybe it’s time to take a new approach.

In the coming year, why don’t we all spend a little less time straining to fit our idiosyncratic selves into an existing pair of pants, and a little more time thinking about a new wardrobe entirely… one that’s based on whatever natural talents and interests are uniquely our own.

I’ll see you at the All-Star game.

By Michael J. Katz

 

Your Career in 2007 – Get a Fresh Start

As the New Year approaches, have you thought about your career goals? What worked years ago in planning and managing your career will not work for your career development in the 21st century. Managing your career in the 21st century requires preparation, career goal planning and career guidance, and ensuring that your time is directed meaningfully.

Here is how to find enjoyment and continue to progress in your career.

1. Determine if your present job is in line with who you are, what you value, and what you are good at. Are you really doing what you want to do? Being self-aware means you become clear about what you stand for and what you have to offer. When you know what you have to offer, you become more powerful and intentional in your work. Doing a good job is no longer good enough to guarantee your career will go well. You are your most important asset. Self-branding provides direction and clarity of purpose for how you work, not just what you do for a living.

2. Identify your job satisfiers and dissatisfiers. Find a way to do more of the tasks/projects that you enjoy.

3. Identify your accomplishments.

4. Take the time to build and maintain relationships with individuals who might impact your work. You will benefit personally and professionally from the time you invest in such relationships.

5. Determine and write down your vision for your professional life. What actions do you need to take that will get you there? Celebrate the steps you take daily to achieve your vision. You can create the life you want! Here are some ways you can do that:

* Keep work in perspective — remember how you left work on time in the summer?

* Manage your stress — identify what causes you stress and how it affects you.

* Take time out – close your door (if you have one), call forward your phone, turn off your e-mail, take a walk. Use this time “during your work day” to prepare for a big meeting, a presentation, or work on a project.

* Delegate — are you spending too much time on the administrative process of your job and not utilizing your skills to benefit your long-term goals and your company’s goals?

* Work/Play Balance — what did you enjoy doing during the summer that you want to continue (going to the movies, playing tennis, volunteering, spending time with your kids, seeing friends, etc.)? Put it on your schedule.

6. Be Bold! Don’t be afraid to take on some responsibilities in positions above you. Aim to always exceed expectations.

7. Manage your own time. Set boundaries. Learn to say “no” to non-essential use of your time.

8. Look for ways to do things better and more efficiently. Change a routine task — develop a new process. Instead of handling your e-mails as you get them, set aside specific times during the day to respond.

9. Be great at what you do. The knowledge and skill that create success in your current job will position you for your next move.

10. Be aware of roadblocks that can limit your potential to move upward.

11. Take on projects that will most likely benefit you.

12. Have passion for what you are doing and working toward. You will automatically put more effort into it. If you are not feeling passionate about your work, ask yourself: Is what you “should” be doing interfering with what you want to be doing?

Remember, your career must contribute to your life, not the other way around!

By Cecile Peterkin