It’s difficult to know how to find your dream job. After all, it takes a lot of deep personal reflection and perseverance to find a career you love. And even if you know exactly what you want to do, the job search process can feel long and tedious.

Thankfully, there are lots of steps you can take to market yourself effectively and maximize your chances of not only finding your dream job but also receiving a job offer. That said, finding the dream job isn’t always a straightforward process.

This is why we’ve created this comprehensive job search guide, filled with valuable job search tips and other job search techniques. We’ll also review the importance of curating a professional online presence to increase your chances of being approached by job recruiters during your job search.

Complimentary Initial Consultation

Fill out this form to book your complimentary initial consultation.

Reflect on your ideal career

If you’re wondering how to get your dream job, first, take a moment to reflect on the fact that you are not alone. Nearly everyone has career goals they are working hard to achieve. That said, finding the dream job is not easy, and there are lots of steps ahead of you in the job search process.

Reflect on your values

The first step to finding your dream job is to reflect on your values. If a company isn’t compatible with your larger values, you won’t feel fulfilled by your career — no matter how much you may enjoy certain aspects of the job.

This is why it’s important to make a list of your top ten values during your initial job search. After you’ve written your list, identify your top 3-5 values. Then, whenever you read a job ad, ask yourself if the position is compatible with your top values.

Let’s take a look at some values you might include on your list:

  • Honesty
  • Respect
  • Financial security
  • Community
  • Diversity
  • Creativity
  • Independence
  • Travel opportunities
  • Integrity
  • Flexibility
  • Status
  • Equality
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Independence
  • Collaboration
  • Opportunities for growth

There are countless values you can include, beyond just the ones listed. For example, you may choose to include various social or political values on your list. The most important thing is to take your time during this process. After all, your values will help determine whether or not a company is a good culture-fit workplace.

Reflect on your strengths

After you’ve reflected on your personal and professional values, you’ll want to reflect on your strengths, in addition to what you’ve liked and disliked about past jobs. These are important questions to consider. Especially because your strengths can help you identify whether a particular job or career is well-suited to your natural abilities.

Now, let’s take a look at a list of soft job skills to help you identify some of your key strengths:

  • Time Management
  • Organization Skills
  • Attention to Detail
  • Responsibility
  • Perseverance
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Creativity
  • Critical Thinking Skills
  • Time Management
  • Organization Skills
  • Attention to Detail
  • Responsibility
  • Perseverance
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Creativity
  • Critical Thinking Skills

After you’ve determined some of your natural strengths, you’ll have a much better idea of which jobs may be well-suited to you and your needs. Now, let’s move on to the next step of how to get your dream job: exploring job sites and search engines.

Exploring job sites and search engines

Indeed and LinkedIn are two of the most popular job search platforms. That said, there are other job search engines like Indeed out there. Wondering what job search engine is best? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular job search platforms:

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that job search tools and other job search resources may vary depending on your field. For instance, freelancers often find work on sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Jooble.

You’ll also want to look at your local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace pages for local job listings! And make sure you use plenty of job search keywords. After all, you don’t want to miss out on any potential job opportunities.

Establishing a professional online presence

Now, let’s talk about job sourcing. To start, what is job sourcing? Job sourcing is when employers look for qualified job candidates outside official applicant pools. This means that even if you don’t formally apply for a job, a job recruiter may still approach you.

In order to increase your chances of finding your dream job, you’ll want to increase your visibility through a professional online presence. But what does this look like in practice?

First, you will want to update your LinkedIn account and make sure your resume is published on Indeed. Depending on your field, you may also want to create your own website. Next, you’ll want to review your social media accounts and make sure everything is professional and appropriate. (Your future employer will check your social media).

This might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it. In fact, curating a professional online presence is a key job search strategy, one that will increase your visibility to job recruiters and open you up to job-sourcing opportunities.

How to network effectively

Next up on your job search checklist: networking.

Networking is a crucial job skill, one that has the potential to open up lots of doors for you. Professional conferences and job fairs can be great networking opportunities. But these aren’t the only places where you can network! You can network anywhere. It’s all about taking the initiative.

Get into the habit of bringing business cards with you and learn to speak confidently about your career. In fact, you’ll want to practice your “elevator pitch.” An “elevator pitch” is a brief description of your professional strengths, interests, and goals that you can bring up in casual conversation.

And don’t forget about digital networking! Sites such as LinkedIn can offer valuable networking opportunities. In fact, you should check out our article, 31 LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers, to help you better curate your online presence.

The importance of a well-written resume

Your resume is your first — and oftentimes your only — chance to make a good impression. This is why it’s important to know how to format your resume, as well as tailor your resume for each job application. But why do you need to tailor your resume?

By including keywords in your resume, not only are you highlighting your relevant work experience and job skills, but you are also ensuring that your resume is not filtered out by an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Lots of companies use hiring software that ranks and filters job candidates according to how closely their resume matches the job ad. This is why it’s important to tailor your resume, include keywords from the job ad, and use standard formatting. After all, you don’t want a computer to decide to throw out your resume!

In addition to using a professional resume maker, you’ll want to read up on 5 writing guidelines to follow when writing a resume, as well as peruse our article, on how to write an incredible entry-level resume.

Remember, your resume is your first chance to make a good impression. So make this opportunity count!

How to prepare for a job interview

Job interviews can feel intimidating. This is why it’s important to take time to consider popular job interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your career goals?”. You’ll also want to research the company beforehand and come up with a list of thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer about the company and the position.

Now, let’s take a look at some other job interview tips you should consider:

  • Dress up
  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early
  • Plan ahead and know where to park
  • Research the company beforehand and memorize its key facts
  • Practice answering common interview questions
  • Be polite (don’t look at your phone or the clock)
  • Focus on your posture and body language
  • Prepare thoughtful questions
  • Speak clearly and confidently
  • Bring a copy of your resume
  • Provide thorough and thoughtful answers
  • Send a thank you note after the interview

Key takeaways and moving forward

Knowing how to find the job of your dreams takes patience, perseverance, and a professional online presence. You’ll need to engage in networking opportunities, practice your elevator pitch, and print out business cards. You may also need job search assistance.

Here at Prepory, we have the resources and expertise to help you not only find your dream job but to receive a job offer. From perfecting your resume and cover letters to having mock interviews and learning how to negotiate salary, Prepory can help you reach all of your career-related goals.

Subscribe to our blog

Don’t miss out on the latest college admissions trends, updates, and tips!