How To Land The Job Of Your Dreams In Q1

The new year is here, and your dream job could be around the corner. Positioning yourself to land the job of your dreams doesn’t have to be a hard endeavor. Whether you’re looking to climb the ladder at the company you’re at, expand your business, or start in a completely new direction, all of these options are feasible in Q1.

The possibilities are endless if you create a tactical plan. Be intentional with what your dream job looks like. Writing down top priorities, choosing a career that aligns with your lifestyle, and approaching the job search with confidence and a well-researched approach will position you for a great start. If you’re still unsure of where to begin, here are some tips to help you get where you want to be.

“A job search is like firing a bow and arrow,” said Krista Morris, Certified Advanced Resume Writer for Virtuoso Resumes & Recruiting. “We aren’t going to hit anything unless we aim. (And there is no trick shooting in a job search.) So, first comes identifying the bullseye. The alternative is throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks. We all know it won’t. It slides down and makes a mess. Plus, who can afford to waste good pasta in this economy?!”

Applying to multiple jobs that are simply available and aren’t aligned with your niche won’t benefit you or potential employers. Narrowing down target companies that are hiring for realistic positions that you’re interested in and feel confident in applying to will most likely result in calls for an interview.

“The most effective strategies are targeted and intentional,” said Marshall Scabet, Founder of Precision Sales Recruiting, Former VP of Recruiting at Forrest Performance Group (FPG). 

“Submitting hundreds of applications rarely produces good results. Candidates who focus on specific companies, tailor their messaging, and approach the search with a plan tend to perform much better. Treating the job search like a professional process rather than a passive activity makes a significant difference.”

Before you start to apply to jobs, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for. Are you a morning or night worker? Will you be available for weekend and holiday work? Is the position conducive to your lifestyle? Is there a sufficient life/work balance? Landing the job of your dream starts with deciphering what that job looks like, if it will bring value to your life, and if hired, can you effectively do the job that is expected of you.

“Take more risks and be more selfish with your career,” said Logan Shacklett, Founder, Loch Legal Search. “Women are statistically more likely than men to make safe choices and prioritize being team players. Safety can provide comfort, but it can also blunt ambition. Prioritizing your own advancement does not make you greedy. It makes you strategic.”

Millennial women have the opportunity to build careers, foster companies from the ground up, and create their own paths. In saying that, fear can affect many aspects of growth. It can be scary to land your dream job, as much as can be expected and required. However, challenges show you who you are. Go for the dream and let it bring out the best in you.

“Make sure to avoid ‘soft descriptions’ like ‘Improved team efficiency’ (even if they do make sense to you),” said Nathan Putsey, Talent Acquisition Manager at JobLeads.  “Instead, add data to each bullet point, e.g., ‘Increased X by Y%.’ Use a clean layout that is easily scannable both by human eye and ATS systems. Also, include some case studies tailored to the position that show that you’ve done something like this before successfully.”

Be sure to use keywords that are outlined in the job description so that the employer understands that you are aware of the requirements. Pointing out key qualifications also helps you get ahead of the crowd.