Career Series - Dream Job Checklist

Maybe you have just graduated from college and it is time to begin your first search for the job of your dreams. Or perhaps you have been in the workforce for a few years now, but you don't love what you are doing, and it is time for a change. After all, we all seem to be spending a lot more time at work than we do at home, so why not find a job that you are passionate about? It will certainly help justify those long hours, and you are far more likely to excel within the company if you love what you are doing every day. It seems like a no-brainer. The question then becomes, how do you determine what your dream job is? Below are a few steps that may help lead you in the right direction.

• First and foremost, make sure you have a clear understanding of both your strengths and your weaknesses. It is always helpful to understand both sides of the coin, as it allows you to have a better idea of the entire picture. Obviously you should focus on your strengths, but you will also be able to determine certain weaknesses that you will never improve upon, and thus you should try to avoid in a job. Once you have completed this task, you can start to consider jobs that would likely be a good fit for you.
• Be realistic and determined at the same time. While you might need to be realistic when it comes to paying your rent and your bills, you should recognize two things. First, the stress you are feeling will not last forever. Hopefully you will not always be worried about making ends meet. Second, and more importantly, remember that your salary is more meaningful when you find a job that you are truly passionate about.
• Patience is a virtue. It could take years, even decades, in order to become like the overnight successes that we often hear about. Furthermore, it is highly likely that these same people weren't exactly "overnight successes" themselves. So remember to be patient during this process, as it will definitely take some time to find your dream job and to become truly good at it.
• Consider the type of company you want to work for, as each will have various pros and cons. A start-up, for instance, will tend to be a little more risky, as the company could fail, and you could find yourself out of a job. At the same time, there tend to be fewer employees at start-ups, as these companies don't often have a lot of extra cash, and this can provide you with the wonderful opportunity to take on more responsibility and gain an incredible amount of experience. In larger, corporate firms, on the other hand, you will not have to worry about the company going under, and your salary will likely be significantly higher than it would be at a start-up. However, these firms are usually far more bureaucratic, and you are likely to have less autonomy.
• Culture is, and always will be, important. The culture of any company can literally make or break whether or not a job will become your dream job. Think about this carefully when you are interviewing at the company, and try to picture yourself engaging with the employees on a daily basis because that will be your future daily encounters. Also, consider the company's values and beliefs. How do they relate to your own values and beliefs? In the search for your dream job, it is critical to stay true to your core beliefs.
• Finally, think about where you want to be in five years. Try to come up with a game plan, so to speak, for your career. This will help you to retain perspective, and it will also help you decide where to start. Sometimes it will be necessary to start at the bottom and work your way up, but this is not always the case. You need to know who you are and where you want to go.

Bottom Line: Because we spend so much time at work, why not pick a job that you truly enjoy doing every day? Dream big. Then dream bigger and don't stop until you achieve those goals.

Career Series:
Top Earning Degrees | Living The Dream | Dream Job Checklist | Salary Negotiation Strategies