I can’t seem to find the job I really want. None of the job listings appeal to me. Help!!

A very important element in your job search is having a very clear picture of what you have to offer and the job you really want.

Write the job description of your ideal job. Start with a basic description (visit www.jobdescription.com) and then perfect it with your dreams and visions of your ideal job. Beyond the duties and responsibilities, make sure you include the career potential and perks (travel, education, etc.) of the position.

Then, write out the qualities of the company you want to work for - benefits, atmosphere, values, size, location. What would the ideal employer be like - for you? Don’t be afraid to dream when you do this piece. You may not know of the company that matches this description, and the company may not even exist. However, you must know what it is that you really want and what your expectations are. Once you have that you can prevent disappointment and discouragement because you will make any concessions with awareness and choice, rather than default.

Then write your resume to fit the job description. Notice if there are any gaps that need to be filled in order for your resume to fit that ideal job description. You may now have a valuable piece of information - your current skills and experience don’t fit the ideal job that you want. This
is often a place where people fall short. They want the perfect job, and have yet to become the employee that will fit that job. Do whatever it takes to fill those gaps so you will be ready when opportunity arrives.

Then, as you start applying, keep in mind your ideals. There is always the possibility that your ideal job doesn’t exist, yet! You may be able to create it if you can find a job that already exists which has at least 50 percent of the qualities of your ideal job. When you interview, ask “Is it possible that this job could someday include......?” If the potential is there, perhaps you can build the ideal job from the foundation provided. You will be clear about your goals and expectations for your career, and the person hiring you will know where you want to go as well.

You will also have a clear idea of what questions to ask about the company and what it can provide to you. Ask these questions. You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you.

Doing your homework and preparing yourself to receive the ideal job are crucial first steps to getting where you want to go. Many people spend more time planning their two week vacation than they do planning for where they will spend a majority of their time during the rest of the year.

Having a job you can look forward to every day can take the struggle and resistance out of going to work. When we settle for second or third best in a job, and have disappointments, discouragement and frustration, going to work becomes a “have to” - “I have to go to work to earn money to pay my bills and eat.” Even settling for less than ideal, when you know where you are going, have a plan for getting there and have most of what you want, can make the rest of your year a “vacation” because work becomes a “get to” - “ I get to go to work, to do what I enjoy, with people I enjoy, and the possibility of creating of creating my dreams.”

Some Web sites that may be of assistance to you in this ideal job process are:

www.careerpathsonline.com: 10 step career planning guide
www.job-interview.net: everything about interviews
www.wetfeet.com: research on companies, job profiles
www.careerlab.com: resume info and articles
www.experiencenetwork.com: info on 350 companies
www.familyfriendly.com: figure out best job for you, family-friendly companies

Remember, you won’t know when you get there, if you don’t know where you are going!!