There are so many posts online about how to get a job. But you don’t want just any job right? You want your dream job! The best job! The one that’s perfect for you.
Luckily there are a lot of ways to find that dream job. It just takes some trial and error and persistence. Oh, and if you think you are too young for your dream job or think that’s for later in life, think again. The time is now. Your dream job awaits. Here are two unusual ways to find it:
1. Start An Open Communication With Your Boss
You might not have to start job hunting in order to find your dream job. Why not start with the job you have right now? I don’t mean keep the job you currently have (otherwise why would you be looking for your dream job?) What I mean is to tweak the job you currently have.
What is the one thing about your job that you wish was different? You’re probably always saying, “My job would be great if this or that didn’t exist.”
Maybe you’re a mom who loves her job but wishes she could work part time. Is there another parent who wants the same thing? Maybe you could split the salary and the benefits. It’s been done before. Maybe your boss would love to hire two part time people instead of one full time person. Two part time people means less company money goes to benefits.
There are truly so many ways around various problems and issues you may have in the workplace. Maybe your commute is horrible, but have you ever asked if you can work from home two days a week?
Open and honest communication is the best way to get what you want, so spend some time thinking about what you don’t like about your job and brainstorm ways to make it better.
2. Make Your Own Job
Sometimes your dream job just doesn’t exist yet. You might look and look and never find it in the “wanted” section. If that’s the case, you just have to create it. Come on; you can do it! Simply notice a need or a gap in your industry. What are the types of things that your customers or clients always ask for that your company doesn’t seem to have? What can you offer them that others can’t?
If you don’t like endless meetings at work or coworkers who disrupt you, brainstorm about what you can do on your own. Conversely, if you’re stuck in a cube all day and are craving some interaction, what kind of business can you start where you interact with others all day?
All of us have way more talent than we give ourselves credit for. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of ingenuity, a flying leap, and a large emergency fund to give your dream a try.
So, I want to hear from you. Do you have a dream job that you want? Or, are you currently in it?
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Seriously before I really wanted to become a nurse but unfortunately I didn’t reach it because of my bad attitude. But I didn’t imagine that I would have a job that I will truly love, I really love working at home even if it’s not my dream job but right now being a VA is my ideal job.
Clarisse @ Make Money Your Way I love that! Isn’t it crazy that the jobs we have now that we LOVE didn’t even exist a few years ago? :)
I love the advice to find a way to tweak your current job. Things are often a lot less rigid than we make them out to be in our head. If there’s something you want to be different, come up with a plan for how it could be different and present it to whoever can make it happen. The worst that happens is they say no, but I’m guessing that more often than not they will be willing to work with you at least a little bit.
Matt @ Mom and Dad Money I think so too. As long as you have a decent boss, they’re usually open to discussion. I’m working remotely right now and it’s because I have a great boss that advocated for me and wanted me to go home the US early.
I’m in camp #2! I do think having open communication with your boss is great advice — if you like your job to begin with. A lot of people seem to be content sitting at jobs they dislike merely for the financial security. I understand the mentality, but in same cases it doesn’t matter what you do to tweak your job… you just won’t enjoy the work.
BrokeMillennial Yeah girl I’m all for #2!! :)
I’m not convinced there really is a dream job, but if you can work smarter instead of harder, it’s pretty easy to rearrange your schedule which allows you more time to do what you want. When I started working in optometry, the doctor before me had a very strict schedule of only so many people per day. I found that there was lots of down time, but you were still stuck in the office. I think he liked downtime, but I hate to not be busy at work. I started scheduling more people and working fewer days. This also allowed us to hire someone else. Win win all the way around. Just because the person before you did it a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the best way for you.
Eyesonthedollar So true! Although I feel like blogging is my dream job. :D
I’m firmly in camp #2! I worked for years in #1 and think for most that is likely the best route to go, but I’ve got what I want now and my commute takes all of five seconds.
FrugalRules Gotta love that 5 second commute!
My dream job is a Broadway show. Just waiting on my luck to kick in :) In the meantime I’m building my own brand.
brokeandbeau I think that would be amazing. I just love watching Broadway – such amazing talent. Would love to see you there!
I’m slowly morphing into my dream job of writing/blogging. But it’s baby steps. My media empire might not happen overnight. :)
Beachbudget We share the same dream, my friend. Rock on! :)
I say create your dream job! Come up with an idea and go for it. It may take some time but small steps each day add up to something huge!
SingleMomIncome I’m with you! I love #2 the best! :)
I’m currently working on option #2
Jason @ The Butler Journal Rock on Jason! Me too!
I’m big on talking to your boss in general for more responsibility after you’ve been there for a bit. If that talk doesn’t go anywhere, that’s your signal that it’s time to move on, either to try #2 or to do #3 and look for a new position. #3 is a heck of a lot easier in a big city though, that’s for sure.
Tara Zee Yeah it totally just depends on your priorities for sure!
Talking with your boss and tweaking your current role at the company is all about getting people in the right seat on the bus. If you can’t find the right role at your current job by changing roles/positions then it’s time to move on.
Brian @ Luke1428 I think that’s a good metric to go by!
I also like option two. People are not always welcoming and some bosses are a pain.
Love the “make your own job” advice! That is exactly what I did over 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back. The key is research. Don’t jump into something until you figure out how to fill a need first.