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In this second article in the “How to Get Your Dream Job” series I focus on some of the most powerful steps to take when searching for a job. These steps have been tested and proven to work all the time. But you must take them seriously for them to work for you.

Job-Search-Photo

Have you ever heard that the streets of any nation are paved with gold? I agree perfectly with that saying, if gold is synonymous to opportunities. Opportunities abound everywhere and in the midst of these, lie well-paid jobs. I don’t care what country you are in and the state of the economy of your country. I can assure you that no matter how bad it seems people are still getting jobs. But opportunities are for the prepared. It is for those who know where to find them and how to grab them. It is for those who don’t move on the streets with closed eyes. 

As I pondered about how challenging it has become these days to come in contact with the job of your dream, I compiled the following tips for you. Try them and see how long it takes to land your dream job.

1. Work On Your Skills/Talents

If you were an employer, would you want to employ a person like you? If you would, how much would you be willing to pay such a person? Your answer to these two questions will tell you how prepared you are for any job. There are more jobs than there are very skillful people out there. You need to determine the kind of job you want to do and start building the skills that will make you perform well on such a job when eventually you get it. 

Building or improving on your skills could cost you some money and time but the end result is worth every dime you spent. Acquire practical knowledge on computer software programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, SPSS, and many others; build skills in salesmanship, project writing, grant writing, website designing, critical thinking and analysis, public speaking, presentation, etc. 

Some of these can be gotten by attending short training programs. In Nigeria, there are so many. Just make sure you go for the best and the one that has a link to the career you are building. A cheaper way to gain skills is by offering voluntary service with some organizations. You will not only gain skills but you will build your wealth of experience and add weight to your CV, increasing your chances of getting your dream job.

2. Work on Your Habits

As a Job seeker, you need to kill poor habits and build good ones. Some poor habits include waking up late from sleep, spending much on luxuries, spending time on chats that are not productive, idling and leisuring often, all forms of addictions, and so on; while good habits include reading very inspiring literatures, saving money, investing money into skill acquisition, waking up early, building meaningful relationships, browsing the internet for opportunities, checking/buying newspapers with job adverts, reading notices, and so on. Any habit that makes you a better person takes you closer to your dream job.

3. Prepare a Catchy Resume/CV

Some job adverts will ask for a Resume while others will ask for a CV. The difference is not much except that a CV is more general in that it presents all you got in a more general sense while a Resume is prepared to be more specific for the job you are interested in. Your Resume/CV is your private media through which you can market yourself in whatever way you choose without paying a dime. 

I have read a lot about formats for Resume/CV but while I agree with some of them, it is important for me to say that these days you are hardly penalized for not following a format, if you got what is needed for the job. The only thing I recommend is that you make your Resume/CV very organized, neat and catchy. Unlike what most people do in that after their personal data they go on to state their goals/objectives, I recommend that you rather state your achievements.

 Make a brief but powerful paragraph of your greatest career achievements, followed by your skills/talents and then the rest can follow. Many employers don’t have much time to go through all what you have on your Resume/CV so you must make sure that even with a minute glance on your Resume/CV, your potential employer can see reasons to call you for an interview.

4.    Plan Your Job Hunting Program 

I have realized that many job seekers seek for jobs passively. Make your job search adventure an active one. You are a job hunter and if you ask any hunter, he will tell you that hunting is an art that needs you to have a good plan at hand and follow it, before you can make a single catch. 

Make a list of the type of jobs you can do and another, of the names of companies you will want to work for. Do some little research on what it takes to be effective on the type of jobs you have listed and also research on how the companies you have listed, get their workers. Some of these information will give you better orientation on how and when to lunch out for jobs. 

Prepare a good number of copies of your documents and make sure you adapt your Resume to suit each type of job you want to apply for, without faking your skills and abilities. Then, plan on how you shall go out, when and where. Try to apply to at least 20 companies each month. If possible, go to their head offices and plead to meet with the Manager/ Human Resource Manager/ Director/ or whoever heads the company, to discuss your interest in working for them. 

This will increase your chances of being considered for a job even if it will be later. Do this every month and keep a list of all your applications. You may not need to do this for up to two months and you will be in your dream office.

5.    Expand Your Circle of Employed Friends

One fast way of getting jobs today is with the help friends who are already working for one company or the other. They are most often the first persons to know that there are opportunities in the organizations they work for. They will also give you more information on the culture/values of their organization and with that you can stand a better chance of getting a job. 

Also, spending time with employed persons increases your hunger for a job. Make friends with as many employed persons in your age bracket as possible.

6. Join A Professional Association

In every country, most professionals have an association or forum where they meet to discuss the practice of their profession. It could be association of Doctors, Lawyers, Bankers, Dentists, Drivers, Teachers, Journalists, Researchers, Entrepreneurs, etc. These are very good forums to belong to as you seek for an opportunity. 

In such forums, you will learn a lot about your field of study and more so, you will hear of opportunities and get to meet people who matter in that profession. This is one great way to search for a job. Most often such associations charge a membership fee but I tell you the benefits far outweigh the charge. 

7. Make Use Of The Internet

Have you ever tried to Google your name to find out what your online presence displays? I did it once and was shocked about what I saw. You have an online presence. If you are on Facebook, the basic information you have about yourself on Facebook will show up when you Google your name. And so the search result will give all basic information about you in any site where you are present. The internet has become a great way to market oneself. 

Do you have a LinkedIn account? If no, you may need to consider creating one. It is a professional site which brings together professionals of all the different fields of study you can imagine in the world. I have made some very important professional friends through this site and even found someone I intend to hire to do some light job for me in the future. 

Very recently, I met a lady who was finding out about something I wrote on my profile, and showing interest in me. These are places you need to be very present on, and being there is not just enough, You need to update your profile from time to time and also connect with people, especially those in your profession and those working already for your dream company,

With the above, I hope you can pick up a few things that will propel you many steps ahead, in your quest for your dream job. 

Make your comments below, while I hope you go on to read on my third in this series which is: “How To Prepare For The Job Interview”

+Kadzem Claude

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8 Comments

  • Darlinton Omeh September 28, 2013

    I am highly impressed with the level of insight and understanding of Job market you displayed in your articles. I am sure any job seeker or would be job seeker that found this will have something to smile home with. Great work I must say, THANK YOU

  • Anonymous September 28, 2013

    This an eye opener. thanks for the wonderful write up

  • Anonymous September 28, 2013

    Hello it was such an inspiring message.I love the part of putting your achievements on your Resume/CV and not your objectives.That is great Keep up!!
    Thank you.

  • Darlinton Omeh September 28, 2013

    Thank you all. Please share with your friends and follow up for the rest of the articles in this series

  • Tah Peter Fomonyuy October 1, 2013

    I must say this is highly enlightening and insightful. Very practical truths indeed.

  • melvis maborah mbua April 17, 2014

    emmmm lack of words to discribe how good this is

    • Darlinton Omeh April 18, 2014

      Thanks Melvis. I am sure putting them to practice is most important. Please don't throw them away too soon

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