Make a dream career a reality

Bina Brown of the Weekend Australian newspaper talks to three experts about what it takes to find a dream job.

Greg Dixon of recruitment, training and career coaching firm CareerBuilders

According to Mr Dixon finding a dream career requires "common sense, self-awareness and manageable ways of taking action."

Dixon says people have more control over the decision to take a job or change careers than they think.

"A starting point in attaining a better job or a job in an ideal environment is to first identify what those ideals are -- that is, what are the conditions that make you happy and successful,'' he said.

Dixon believes that no more than one-third of an employment decision should be based on remuneration. If it is greater, then a person will probably feel stressed.

One-third of a decision should be on the "presence of satisfiers'' -- the things a person needs in an environment to feel happy and successful. The final third should be on learning or the opportunity to develop.

Dixon says there will always be a few "dissatisfiers'' involved in the job, or the things you think you have moved up from.

Nick Waterworth, executive chairman of recruitment and careers specialists Ambition Group

The four key things required to land a dream career - the ability to take a risk, good communication skills,  the right attitude and the willingness to seek counsel.

``I've seen many examples of people who are very successful and happy who have at least once in their career taken a punt on something," says Mr Waterworth. "The flip side is if you don't take the risk you will always wonder `what if', and you will never know about that dream job.''

Mr Waterworth says some things needed for career advancement are easier to learn than others, such as good communication skills.

``Employers tell us that when they are looking for good people communication skills are top of the competency lists. Fortunately they are something people can work on. You are not born a good or bad communicator and can invest in improving communications skills,'' says Mr Waterworth.

He says attitude is another factor and while harder to work on is not impossible to master.

``Often one's desire to succeed or enthusiasm to work in a team is innate, but you can coach yourself to focus on these if it means getting a dream job. People can learn from peers or friends who they can see have a good attitude. Watch and see what you can pick up from them.''

Mr Waterworth says it is important to seek counsel from someone other than your family to help identify what you are good at.

``Choose someone like a friend or a colleague who has achieved things in life. A coach can be incredibly helpful if you are analysing a big change,'' he says.

Mr Waterworth says it is also important to keep expectations in check. Where some people may have expectations beyond what might be possible, others will aim low. ``Aim for the sky and at least reach the tree tops,'' Waterworth says.

David Solomon, a business performance physician with business consultancy Soluplus

Mr Solomon urges people to research the realities of a particular job and also to be clear about their career dream.

"As part of that process, the grass on the other side of the fence may look greener,'' he says. On the other hand, it is "better for your soul to have satisfied your curiosity''.

Mr Solomon believes people will do whatever it takes to get where they want if their goal is high enough on their set of values, but that getting the dream job isn't always about taking a big leap.

"The most fulfilled people I see are making small steps to improve the way things are and make progress towards their end goal. But they have to have known what that goal is,'' says Mr Solomon.

Tips for changing jobs

• Identify areas in your life about which you are passionate.
• Take the time to rewrite your CV, and think about your skills and experience as products suitable for your targeted industry.
• Be proactive and contact the companies you are interested in working for.
• Be persistent -- don't give up, as this would be giving up on your dreams.
• Have realistic expectations of your role and responsibilities, especially when changing industries.
• Have realistic salary expectations, particularly when changing industries.
• Be open to further education and training.
• Wait -- don't rush into the wrong job.
• Qualifications, skills and experience are important, but a positive attitude will shine through as an enduring first impression.
• Remember that the process of landing your dream job should be born from choice, not from necessity.
  

Source: Career Builders.

By Bina Brown, The Weekend Australian.