It is every college kids dream to
land their dream job straight out of college, and not just their dream job, but
a high paying one as well.
The problem with this kind of thinking is that the
same dream job is being sought out by hundreds, if not thousands of young
people like you every year. If you’re sitting down waiting for that office desk
to come to you, you’re in for another schooling from the hard knocks school of
life (no more classrooms, please).
You’ll say, “Meh,
I’ll just submit my CV to as many job openings I can find and prepare very well
for the interview”. Well, guess what? Johnny and Sally and Peter and Nina are
doing the exact same thing. Unless you’ve got some secret stash of experience
hidden somewhere, all you’ve got up till now is just a certificate that shows
you’ve seen the four walls of a college.
You’ve got nothing else.
I’m going to show you how to get
that dream job of yours doing things you never thought possible, the way real
champs do it. You’ve just got to believe you can do it, and then follow the
steps like a toddler learning how to walk (maybe move a bit faster, for your
own sake)
The first step in getting that
job is to change your mindset.
Accept it cos that’s the fact. If you don’t get
this right, nothing else you do from here onwards will matter. You will have to
unlearn most conventional teachings that you’ve been taught. And how bad could
it get? This is the first time in your life (I’m guessing) that you’ll have a
say in what you choose to accept as your truth. And I call it your truth
because most people won’t subscribe to your school of thought, but it’s cool.
They’re the losers, so there’s more for us.
I’m a firm believer in the concept
of #MindsetCreatesMore (this should be the real MCM). Nothing is impossible (as
far as getting your dream job is concerned). That job position that seems so
elusive or lofty only appears so because you choose it to be. The sooner you
realize the reality in this truth and choose to abide by it, the sooner you can
move to the next step.
To-do: Pick up a piece of paper and
write down exactly the dream job in full detail, the company you want to work
at, everything.
It’s really tempting to want to
be something you’re not. Trust me; I’ve seen this happen a lot. Back in high
school, everybody wanted to be in science class because it was cool to be in science
class. In college, it was either Law or Medicine. I was an architecture major
myself, but I’d always been passionate about computers. So you’ve got to decide
what exactly you want to do before you go further. What do you naturally enjoy
doing? What do your friends always come to you for? Are they any challenges
you’ve overcome?
To-do: Pick a piece of paper and write
down what exactly it is you want to do in one sentence. Don’t force it, just
let it come naturally like the soothing breeze of autumn (gawd I love poetry)
The next thing you want to do is
reaching out to people that can help you get to your dream job. Networking is
the new interview before the interview (is the interview even really needed?)I
suggest using Google and LinkedIn for this. Search for people working at your
company of choice that work in the same department as the job you’re pursuing.
It’s always easier to network with people that you share a history with, so
I’ll suggest checking those that have at least one thing in common with you,
like your alma mater, same neighborhood etc. Send them an email telling them
who you are and that you’re reaching out to them for advice on your field of
interest. Employ principles of basic etiquette here as some of them are busy
individuals and you don’t want to sound spammy or come across as needy.
Supposing any one of them takes
you up on your offer, it is advisable that you put in a bit of research to know
more about them. This shows at least that you’re interested in learning about
them and not just to siphon data from their brains. Listen when they talk, and
if need be, be prepared to offer them help if need be.
Whatever you do, be completely
honest and open with them. If you’re truthful, most of them will go out of
their way to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in any way necessary.
You’d be surprised what you can get if you just ask.
And that’s it. Now you have in
your hands a complete guideline for getting that dream job offer of yours.
Unfortunately for some, this is the point where you click “read next article”.
If that’s you, I’m so sorry for wasting your time. If not, then congrats -
you’re one step closer to your dream job.
Have you secured your dream job?
What methods did you use? Share them with me in the comment below together with
your questions! I reply all of them personally.
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