We all know how difficult job hunting is and how a very tough process it is to bear. The countless resumes drafted and a thousand interviews can turn this experience into an excruciating one.  This is why some people grab any job opportunity that comes their way regardless of whether it’s their passion or not.

However, as unattainable as landing your dream job might sound, this can be possible with the right amount of planning and preparation. 

Here are some tips anyone (whether you’re a graduate or already employed) can apply to find that job they love.

Self-assessment

Before making any important decision, it’s good to take time for self-reflection. For instance, the first step to start with is to reflect on what kind of work environment you want to be in after you get outside the school environment or if you are simply looking for a job that suits you.

Also, identifying what type of work you enjoy or who you want to work with are important questions to ask yourself as an individual.

As you’re reflecting, one may want to write down their notes. These can be helpful references as you’re evaluating job descriptions later on. It’s important also to take some time to identify your must-haves in a job, these can range from anything like salary to travel benefits and location.

It is vital to know what you need from a job ahead of time. For example, if you need to earn a consistent salary, you may want to avoid freelance work. Once you have determined your must-haves, you can use the research phase to determine jobs that might not work for you.

Make a list of jobs to explore

After understanding yourself and your needs in a job, it’s essential to start looking for jobs that sound interesting or desirable to you.

If there is a job you don’t know much about, write it down and research it later. You may end up finding an interesting career path.

Carry out research

After you have explored jobs that seem interesting, start doing research on each one to create a short-list of serious career possibilities. Here, the goal is to arrive at one or two career paths that you are excited about.

One way to get a bit more detailed information on jobs is by browsing career paths. Before choosing a career, you will need to know what certifications, degree, training or other credentials are required.

Growth opportunities

It’s fundamental to know if there is opportunity for growth in your chosen career. This means the availability one will have in the career to advance, gain skills and take on more responsibility. Also, reading job descriptions carefully to learn about job requirements is essential as it helps one to be aware of what exactly is needed from them as individuals.

Update your resume

Get training and update your resume. Once one has narrowed their list down to one or possibly two career paths, they will definitely need to assess whether they need additional training or credentials.

While some employers are willing to provide on-the-job training, others will look for candidates who already possess their requirements, so keeping this in mind is very crucial.

For details on a specific job, it’s important for one to carefully review the job posting. Additionally, paying attention to sections such as requirements, educational background and experience is the way to go. This is because qualifications are useful as they make skills visible.