When someone figures out what their dream job is, the question they most often find themselves asking next is, “What’s the next step?”. While there are plenty of options you can choose from when it concerns what your next step will be, we would consider following the advice we have to offer at the Professional Development Center. We have worked with people who span a multitude of careers. Whether they were fresh out of college or pursuing something new later in life, we have watched people achieve their dreams simply because they knew what they wanted. If you want to do the same thing, we would like to get you started as quickly as we can. In this post, we will cover some of the most important steps you should take if you are going to stop wishing for that dream job and actually go after it.
The Perfect Recipe For An Unforgettable Cover Letter
There are many things that an ideal cover letter includes and many other things that an ideal cover letter absolutely leaves out. Knowing which is which can be difficult, especially when you consider that every company and every hiring manager is looking for something just a tad different. Regardless, with the right formula, you can make sure that you will at the very least feel beyond confident submitting your letter to your dream company. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most components of a cover letter that will convey precisely what you are wanting to say to your potential future employer.
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Make it brief
You don’t want to go on and on about every single reason you are the right person for the job. After all, your resume should really be doing the talking when it comes to your qualifications. -
Be specific
Showing that you cared enough to do the research so that you sound knowledgeable about the company you are applying to and what they do is imperative. If your letter sounds generic, it’s going to be heading straight for the trash bin. -
You need to sound appealing
Plain and simple, you need to know why you would be a valuable asset to the company you are applying to. If you cannot convey your worth in a letter, it’s a pretty good indication to a hiring manager that you won’t be able to do it in person either if you were to get the job.
The Interview
When you write a cover letter that includes everything an employer is looking for, you will likely hear back soon about an interview. Now, this is when your real skills come into play. There are many things you need to convey in your interview that you may not have been able to in your initial cover letter. Let’s discuss what a few of these things are.
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Show that you have the talent and skill needed
Chances are, you aren’t applying for and given an interview for a job that you have no experience or interest in. The interview is the time to bring up your skills and scenarios during which you have proven yourself to excel when it comes to the types of duties that would be required of you were you to get this new position. If you are missing some skills, be sure that you bridge the gap and speak to how you are working to improve your knowledge or enhance your skills currently so that you won’t be lacking were you to be awarded the job. -
Be prepared
Not only do you need to know how you are going to answer the questions that are asked of you, but you also need to know what you are going to ask the person who is interviewing you as well. Be sure to come prepared with questions about the company and its culture so that you already seem invested in the job before you ever get it. -
Print copies
Always bring a paper copy of your resume and of your portfolio. While you may not need to use them, being overly prepared is never a bad thing and shows the person who is doing the interview that you are always thinking one step ahead. -
Listen and answer carefully
It can be difficult when you are anxious to always listen to the questions that are being asked of you. Much of the time, we get lost in our own thoughts about how the interview is going that we don’t exactly pay attention to what the interviewer is asking us. Stay focused and handle one question at a time. -
Be yourself
When you think a certain job is ideal for you, it is often easy to change the perception of yourself so that the person interviewing may also think you are the best fit. On the other hand, not being honest, open, and overall diplomatic means you may end up doing a job that forces you to be someone else moving forward, which isn’t ideal and additionally defeats the purpose of going for the job in the first place.
Need Additional Education To Land Your Dream Job?
If you are close to being able to obtain your dream job but you need an extra bit of education or training, we can help you at the Professional Development Center of Glendale Community College. Check out our course catalog to learn more about the classes we are currently offering or browse our blog for more information about how you can land the job of your dreams.