What Is A Dream Career?
Does it even exist now? What is the definition of “Dream Career”? It may be different today from what it has ever been before.
There really isn’t a “Perfect” job. Now we are advising job seekers to start researching much-needed market niches that can make you more valuable as a worker.
How does one do this? Certainly life-time learning increases your chances for job satisfaction, because you will always be learning new things that add to your value as an employee The development of multi-faceted skills will enable you to stay marketable, too, and keep you on the cutting edge of technology and change as it occurs.
Statistically people are now changing jobs more frequently than every two years, and often through no fault of their own. One has to think of this as not upheaval—but consider it an opportunity. If you find yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time, necessity says you have to move ahead to find the right place. It isn’t easy.
Here’s something to think about: achieving real success in the job world isn’t based on your current career or job. It may not even be your next job. Be thinking of the job you will have after that. Because you will continue to change the kind of work you do, and the way you do it. Whatever you are doing today, we can guarantee you won’t be doing it the rest of your life.
We are now at a point in the World of Work where we are witnessing the demise of the “traditional job”. Titles mean nothing, and innovation means everything. Some of my clients now refer to themselves as “permanent part-timers”, and love working this way. This life style gives them the gift of time—to do what they want, grow, learn, develop—and perhaps even the time to take care of a sick friend or relative. Parents want more time to spend with children. And sometimes aging relatives demand a lot of care time.
The trend of spending thirty years in one job has long passed. Retirement just isn’t turning out to be what we used to think. Many who retire are back, even with same company, in only a short time after leaving. Of course this can have a lot to do with money, but the truth is—many people miss working. Work has traditionally been the way that we define ourselves in our society. People miss the synergy of being a member of a team. They miss making a contribution.
We are seeing that companies love to have former workers come back as consultants. They can be used for special projects, and to cover for other workers on leave.
So one has to learn to reinvent and brand oneself in a different way. A constant challenge is turning yourself into the commodity that everyone will seek. If you’re looking for the elusive, unrealistic, idyllic job that only a few people will every have—you’re in trouble.
It’s an unsettled and scary world out there in the job market now, but there are wonderful jobs to be had. There are even great career paths to go down.
But one has to be ready to change, and sometimes very quickly. A strong job market will return in this country, but perhaps in a form that we are yet to realize. The secret is being prepared. Stay abreast of all that is happening, and take every possible opportunity to learn new skills. Especially pay attention to marketing trends. It’s not as easy as answering an Internet ad any more. One has to develop skills for making direct contact with decision makers and innovators.
Figure out strategies to present yourself effectively as a real asset to a company’s bottom line. Think like a consultant. How can you help them? Look for those areas of work that light you from within. One might as well have a job one loves as not.
So, your “Dream Career” is one that makes you happy and makes you money—one that helps make your life balanced. Think outside the box. Dream of doing things you have always wanted to do. Create your own path to success. Move with the speed of change. Know that the World of Work is already in the midst of change and revolution. Over time, you will be able to create that Dream Job.
