Planning your career — get to the dream job you want

With the right process, mind frame, and experience you can carve out a career path that’ll get you to the career you want – even if you’re not sure what that is just yet. The next time you’re career planning, use these invaluable tips to help you get there.

Career exploration with an open mind

Sifting through career options is a task with near-limitless possibilities, so have fun exploring

Be open to different options
Having experience in more than one spectrum makes you invaluable to employers, so a career change could result in making substantially larger amounts of money

Keep a solid record of your accomplishments

Professional social networking sites are a great way to keep tabs on your accomplishments.

Your future employer can’t and won’t hire you if they don’t know what you’re capable of
Create an impressive resumé/portfolio of yourself and make an action plan

Set Goals

Determine what skills you need, what projects might help you build your resume, and how to get the experience you need

Set attainable goals, and focus on the things you can control
Track your efforts and be sure to track your progress

Prepare yourself for interview questions

Discuss detail in your answers to show that you know what you’re talking about

Ask for career advice

Ask for advice from knowledgeable sources

This can be someone internal in your organization or someone outside of it
If you applied for a job and didn’t get it, try to ask for advice and look for reasons why they didn’t hire you

Some suggested steps

Build an impressive portfolio/resume

Add your portfolio to online job marketplaces
Apply to as many jobs as possible
Be prepared for responding to job offers
You should be prepared for multiple interview stages, have examples of your work to provide, and be ready for the long haul

Obtain as much information as possible

Highlight what skills you have, what jobs look interesting, and what gaps may exist

LinkedIn, Ziprecruiter, Indeed, and other professional networking sites are great for finding jobs and other career information
Look over some job listings and see what skills are required

Career success happens with a positive tone

Smile and wave before success touches your fingertips.

Say things like ‘what’s up!’ or ‘how are you today?’ in an excited tone. This will attract more attention to you and give you a greater chance of being hired.

Say no to low numbers

Show that you value yourself and your time by asking for more money and sticking to your guns when you’re asked for money

Find the Job You Love

The most important thing about life is enjoying it

When you’re planning your career, aim for something you’ll enjoy
Don’t settle for a job you hate
Not everyone will necessarily land their dream job, but don’t settle if you don’t enjoy it

Narrow Down Your Choices

Use a checklist to help you decipher which jobs you want and which ones you don’t

Job Shadowing

Many organizations may allow you to do some job shadowing as part of your role.

If your organization doesn’t permit it, consider looking for other places to get the skills. Volunteering with a local organization or helping someone doing work similar to the career you might be interested in.