5 Ways To Make Sure You Land Your Dream Job

Some people luck into their dream jobs. For most, though, it requires years of effort. When an opportunity finally presents itself, follow these five tips to make sure that you land your dream job.

Meet More People Who Work in Your Industry

Dream jobs rarely get advertised in the classifieds. Most of them don’t even get posted to websites such as Monster and CareerBuilder. The best positions usually go to people who have good connections within their industries.

If you want to find a top job in your industry, then you will have to network with more people who share your interests. Take advantage of conferences, trade shows, and other events that could help you meet more people. When colleagues suggest going out for dinner or drinks, accept their offers and show them your best side.

You should also assume that every job you do, no matter how insignificant it seems, could lead to something better. Working hard at an entry-level job will display your best qualities to managers who may eventually use their power to offer you better positions.

Write a Stellar Resume

A first-rate resume will make it easier for you to stand out from other job applicants. Make sure that your resume conforms to an accepted format and lists important information such as your education, professional experience, career objective, and additional skills.

Ideally, your resume will provide a straightforward introduction to your personality and skills. After hiring managers read it, they should want to meet you in person for the chance to learn more.

A lot of people never make it to the interview stage because they don’t know how to write good resumes. Learning how to craft an excellent resume will give you a head start.

Wear Professional Attire to Your Interview

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Image via Flickr by Alan Cleaver

Wearing professional clothing to your interview shows that you take the job seriously and want to make a positive impression. You don’t want to wear anything too casual, which can make you seem like you don’t care about getting the job. Then again, you don’t want to wear anything too formal, because it will make you seem out of touch (imagine wearing a tuxedo or ball gown to an interview!).

Play it safe by wearing an outfit that’s unmistakably professional. For men, that means choosing a dark, solid-colored suit. Women have a few more options, including dark suits, suit skirts, and blouses.

You should also make sure that you cut your nails and style your hair before going to an interview. Wear jewelry, makeup, and perfumes sparingly, however. You’re going to a job interview, not having dinner at a nice restaurant.

Set Up Your Voicemail So That You Don’t Miss Calls

If you do well in your interview, the hiring manager will probably call you within a couple of weeks to offer a job. Unfortunately, there are times when you can’t answer the phone, so you need to set up your voicemail and include a professional message. You might think that your outgoing message sounds hilarious, but potential employers may not feel the same way.

Luckily, most phones make it easy for you to change your message. You can learn how to set up your voicemail on a smartphone in four simple steps.

Before you approve your outgoing message, listen to it for clarity and professionalism. If anything feels amiss, you can always record a new message.

Create a Website That Shows Off Your Skills

Many of today’s job seekers have websites that show off their skills. You may want to start by creating profiles on social media sites such as LinkedIn, but you should eventually develop an independent site that provides your resume, examples of your work, and other information that will show that you are a great job candidate.

In addition to submitting a plain, paper resume, you can give employers a website that highlights your best achievements. It could provide the extra nudge needed to get you hired.

Remember that any opportunity could lead to your dream job. Take your search seriously and always put your best foot forward. Eventually, a manager will notice your effort and give you a chance to prove yourself.