3 Mindset Tips For Landing Your Dream Job

“I just can’t do it.”

“I probably don’t have enough experience.”

“They’ll hire someone else over me.”

These are all things we tell ourselves sometimes. As we sit on our laptops and frantically search ‘’good jobs near me’’ on Google, we find ourselves spiraling into panic mode – desperate to find that dream job that seems to forever elude us. At times, landing a dream job or getting that interview just right can seem more important than our mental health. 

You’re not alone. If there’s one thing that unites all human beings it’s this – we all believe our mindsets, beliefs, and convictions are true. It doesn’t matter whether these beliefs are positive or negatives, our brains will accept these convictions because, much like planting a seed on a field, our brains will cultivate any paradigms we spend time growing in them. 

We are, after all, creatures of ego and habit. However,  there are times when we must leave our egos at the proverbial door and challenge our beliefs if we aim to make any sense of this crazy world. 

Despite people’s fears, there is great power in vulnerability and accepting that to improve our lives, we must improve, adapt, and challenge our mindsets whenever possible. 

Mindset is vital when landing a job and thriving in a career. Whilst attributes such as intelligence, knowledge, and pedigree certainly have their place – the thing that’s going to define your career, and life, is your mindset. Finding, and landing, your dream job is no exception. 

So, if you’re panicking, putting yourself down, or feeling a general malaise of low confidence about your careers- try to remember these 3 points. 

• List All Of Your Favorite Attributes About Yourself

Though it may sound cheesy and self-indulgent, giving yourself some positive self-talk has been proven to raise your spirits and confidence and help undo the toxic habit of self-deprecation. 

The key to not turning this exercise into a narcissistic daydream is to look at things objectively. If there’s an area of your life and career you’d like to improve, say to yourself ‘’I would like to get better at…XYZ’’. The key to good self-esteem is to recognize your weak points, too, rather than brush over them or pretend they don’t exist. 

If you’re worried that you’re not good enough for your dream job, take a moment to reflect on your highlight reel and the feeling of inadequacy will begin to fade away. 

• Start Small

Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Neither is a great career. 

It can be easy to overwhelm yourself at the beginning of your career by trying to do too much, too soon. The very thought of building a fulfilling, worthwhile career sends our minds into overdrive – and soon enough, it feels like even the smallest tasks have monumental consequences. 

The key here is to start with small, attainable tasks, and use them to build momentum. Even a task such as cleaning your room has proven benefits on your productivity and overall mental health. It may sound silly, but accomplishing small tasks throughout the day helps activate your brain’s reward system, giving you the confidence to undertake larger and more complex challenges. 

Landing a dream job is merely a matter of accomplishing a lot of small tasks. Whilst you may not be able to have an interview, receive an offer, and start work all within a week – you can craft a brilliant cover letter today. Picture yourself at your dream job, and then work backward, remembering every small task it takes to get there on the way. 

• Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

As Theodore Roosevelt once said – “comparison is the thief of joy.”

Comparing your career to somebody else’s, especially when you’re just starting, can be a toxic and extremely harmful habit. We tend to put those we admire on pedestals and forget that, like us, they are human and have made plenty of mistakes before. Conversely, all of their successes in life are a result of small tasks that we, ourselves, can accomplish if we put our minds to it. 

In today’s age of social media and 24/7 news, it can be too easy to look at others with an air of envy and assume that they have their life entirely figured out, whilst we meander through the days having no real idea. This is a classic case of imposter syndrome and it is very common with people from every age bracket. Even seasoned, experienced professionals deal with imposter syndrome, and its prevalence is not only limited to young people.

Comparison is one of the leading causes of imposter syndrome, so it’s best to focus on yourself and your journey. After all, you’re the one who’s in the drivers’ seat. 

Landing a dream job and embarking on a fantastic career is largely down to mindset. Implement these three tips and your path to fulfillment will be so much easier.  

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