Finding the Perfect Job: A Three-Step Process
By Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA
In my experience, many people in their careers don’t have a strategy for finding their dream job. They stumble from one position to another as a result of finding a job through a recruiter, applying to a position that appears to be a fit, or obtaining a position through their network (the “hidden job market”).
Some of these opportunities turn out to be excellent matches for both the person and the organization while others turn into wasted time with more job searches shortly thereafter, resulting in frustration for everyone involved in the process.
Following are three steps that will help you find the ideal position.
1. Define What Makes Your Perfect Job
List the attributes of a position that would make it perfect for you. Aside from the actual title, which may be misleading, think of everything that would excite you about going to work. Consider the type of work/responsibilities, location of the organization, the industry, the types of people you prefer to work with/for, dress code, the hours, and whether you prefer to work in teams or on your own. Don’t worry about compensation at this point – you’re simply establishing a framework of what makes up your perfect job.
2. Determine What that Perfect Job Is
Search online job postings for positions that meet your criteria from Step 1. Show the list to your contacts to enquire what opportunities they would have that might match what you’re looking for. Look at NAICS (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-501-x/12-501-x2012001-eng.pdf) or SIC codes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Industrial_Classification#cite_note-5) to view the industries available. Keep an open mind – even consider starting your own business if that’s a possibility for you. Once this step is complete, your search show be narrowed down to 2-3 industries and/or positions that would really make your perfect job.
3. Go After It
· Contact individuals who are already in your perfect job and request a meeting. Use www.LinkedIn.com to track down the people that you’re looking for. Seek their opinions on what you should do to chart your way to your perfect job. Ask if their organization is hiring. Find out what skills you’re lacking and make an effort to start learning them either through your current position or by taking courses.
· Contact companies that are currently posting relevant positions.
· Volunteer, if necessary, to get to where you want to go.
Conclusion
Steps 1 and 2 are within your control and relatively straight-forward. Step 3 requires more effort and a greater investment of your time. It may take weeks, months or even years to find the perfect job. It’s important to stay in regular contact with those who can help you get to where you want to go. Be patient and focus on your end goal. Once you get that perfect job, won’t it be worth the wait? A perfect job, to me, is one where it doesn’t even feel like you’re working.
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Marc Belaiche is a CPA, CA and is President of TorontoJobs.ca, an Internet recruitment business and recruiting firm located in the Greater Toronto Area. Marc is also the author of the book “Tales from the Recruiter”. Marc has been in the recruitment industry since 1995. TorontoJobs.ca allows companies to post their positions online, search a resume database to find candidates, provides full temporary and permanent recruitment and outplacement services. TorontoJobs.ca also allows candidates to search and apply to positions directly online and get career, interviewing and resume tips all at no charge. Marc is also President of TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca, an organization geared towards business owners (seewww.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca) and has the annual Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference (see www.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca/conference). You can reach Marc at marc.belaiche@torontojobs.ca and check out TorontoJobs.ca at www.TorontoJobs.ca.
1 comment:
Well said. Thanks for ideas.
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