How to land your dream job while working

Trying to land your dream job isn’t always easy, especially if you’re working in a different industry. But there are some things you can do to make it easier.

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As we settle into the new financial year, there’s no better time to reset your career goals. Here’s how to find a job you truly love.

When you’re up to your neck in mid-year performance reviews and adjusted KPIs, it can be easy to forget the most important thing about your work: how you feel about it.

One powerful indicator that your career might be on the wrong track is the fact you’re reading this article. Other signs your present job isn’t right for you include: you often feel worn out; a sense of dread hits you every Sunday afternoon; and when someone asks you what you do for a living, you point to a cloud and say, “Look, a bunny”.

Finding that dream job could mean moving within the company you already work or changing careers completely. Whatever the case, the best time to reconsider your career goals —  and start making them a reality —  is right now.

Psychologist and career expert Suzie Plush shares five tips for scoring your dream job

1. REVIEW YOUR CURRENT CAREER STATUS

   In January we make it a priority to set new goals and resolutions, but mid-year is actually the optimum time to stop and evaluate your current working situation.

   “With many organisations implementing mid-year reviews and setting new budgets, mid-year is a prime time for employers and employees alike to assess their priorities,” says Suzie Plush. “If you’re thinking about a career change or a way to progress within your company, now is the time to do your homework — speak to friends, engage a career counsellor, connect with the right people and explore study options.”

   The flexibility of online study through Open Universities Australia (OUA) means learning at your own pace without putting your career on hold.

   2. BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

   “The thought of upskilling or changing career can be daunting, so instead of fixating on the immediate hurdles, start by envisioning where you want to end up,” says Plush. “This makes it a lot easier to figure out a game plan.”

   In some cases — especially if you’re looking to upskill within your field — you can fill skills gaps by studying single subjects, as opposed to a full degree. OUA offers a vast breadth of online postgraduate single subjects from leading universities, which can be perfect if you’re looking to progress and grow within a specific area.

   3. HIT THE BOOKS (VIRTUALLY IF NEED BE)

   “Education, practical experience and interpersonal relationships are three key areas you need to work on to reach your career goals,” says Plush.

   Studying while working might seem a challenge, but online education can make it more manageable. Nessá, now a general manager with Merri Health, completed a Master of Employment Relations with Griffith University online through OUA. She says online education was a great option, as it gave her the flexibility to study any time of day, and also led to significant career progression.

   4. SEEK OUT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

   Practical experience will give you an edge over the competition when applying for your dream job. If you’re changing career, this might mean internships or volunteer work. If it’s in the same field, you could benefit from work shadowing, which means observing a professional in their job to gain a better understanding of the role. You can also choose online courses that offer practical experience — often in the convenient format of an online simulation.

   5. DEVELOP NETWORKS

   Connecting with people in the industry you hope to join, through friends or friends of friends, will give you important insights and valuable contacts. If you’re looking to progress within your field, a mentor’s hard-earned experience can help you get where you need to be faster. Advice from leaders in her industry is what inspired Nessá to study through OUA.

   “Leaders and managers in the past have talked about the importance of theory behind practice,” she says. “So that was really the driver.”

   6. PURSUE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

   “Personal development definitely falls into the ‘lifelong learning’ category and is becoming increasingly important within today’s competitive workforce,” says Plush.

   Certain personal skills can greatly improve your ability to perform well at work, raise your confidence and enhance your employability prospects. Improving skills such as creative thinking, public speaking, communication, speaking a second language and networking will not only help to advance your career, it will enrich your personal life too.

Change is always possible

Education has the power to transform lives and through Open Universities Australia you can reach your career goals by studying a wide range of online degrees or single subjects from 12 leading universities, without putting your life on hold. Explore all your options at open.edu.au or call a friendly student advisor on 13 OPEN.

Originally published as How to land your dream job while working