Sooner or later we all face the challenge of finding that first job that will help have a career that we are dreaming of. However, many people end up accepting a job offer that will only provide for the living since landing the one that will help achieve one's career aspirations often seems unrealistic due to the fierce competition. The truth of the matter is that job seekers don't really know much about how to get from being unemployed to the place where they enjoy their career. We live in a world where for the most part job search efforts boil down to drafting a generic resume and sending it out to different companies in hopes to get interview invites. This is a dead end road and those who take it will unlikely be satisfied with the results. In this article we are going to lay out the path which starts from a job search and ends with a career success - something people want to pursue when they are just starting out.
How to Get a Job That You Want?
Step 1. Many job seekers think they know what kind of career they want to pursue but when it comes to specifics, they have a hard time even naming the industry they want to work in. The very thing one should do is to identify career goals. That means you have to know more than you simply want to earn good money and supervise other people. In other words, you should define what career success looks like for you. Is it owning a construction business or working as a programmer for Google? Or maybe you want to be a CEO for a reputable company within the sales industry? Whatever that is, you must know your career goal; it is only when you know the where the finish line is, you can actually find the path how to get there. 
Step 2. After you know the direction, you have to find a specific path that leads to the employment of your dreams (AKA your career goal). Each and every position has its requirements which makes the entire job search so difficult for unemployed. That is why graduates will not be hired as CEOs or take any upper-management positions. For example, in order to become a Chief Executive Office, candidates must have experience in a managerial position, strong understanding of finance and performance management, expertise in corporate governance, etc... These qualifications are gained with time as you climb up the corporate ladder. This then opens up the path that leads to the finish line.
Step 3. Having successfully completed previous two steps, you should now have a rough career plan. Knowing what kind of knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to achieve your career goals, you can start applying to entry level jobs that can help you gain all of those things. Obviously, it will take more than one job to learn management, business, finance or whatever is required for your target position so be patient. Make sure that you narrow down your job search to the companies that can offer professional growth within the areas of your professional interest. Be open for new challenges and opportunities. Sometimes, people are reluctant to leave their comfort zones which results in a career deadlock.
Step 4. Don't rely on your current job too much to learn the needed skills. Yes, employment can help gain new experience and skills that will help you in your future career development. However, don't limit your learning opportunities to your employer only. Be proactive and look for educational programs beyond your company. Today, there are plenty of learning opportunities (both online and offline) that can help you become a subject matter expert. Besides, when reputable companies notice that you are willing to learn on your own, that will be only a plus. Successful businesses like to hire people who are constantly learning new things to become more qualified.
Step 5. Have your resume ready at all times. You never know when you the opportunity comes. Keep in mind that your resume is the only chance to make your first impression on a prospective employer; therefore, it should be tailored to match the employer needs. This means you have to tailor your resume every time you submit it to a new company. It will be much easier if you start working on your main marketing document before you need to send it to the company. Using a professional resume writing service can be a good move if you manage to choose the right company.
Revising Your Career Goals
It is okay to revise your career goals from time to time, there is nothing wrong with that. It also doesn't mean that if you have spent several years on gaining managerial experience in sales, there is no way you can change career. Most likely, it will be more challenging if you have already established yourself in one of the industries but it is not impossible. It is okay, because as we grow and become more mature, our interests change and so are our career aspirations. You don't have to be a prisoner of the decisions made when you were a graduate. It also doesn't mean your past experience will have no value to your future employers. It's just a matter of identifying another finish line and the path that leads to that line. The process is the same; however, now you have an advantage of having actual work experience and skills that can help you be effective at a new workplace.
