How to find your dream job, and not another fuck-up

What is an ideal job — this a question with an asterisk. Someone only works from home, and someone loves their open space and eating cookies in the kitchen. Here, you need to consider what exactly your ideal job looks like. Be it career growth with a high salary, or something more simple and without the need to put in as much effort. And in order to finally decide on a future position, a recruiting expert with 10 years of experience and founder of Bisseti — Tetyana Tarasyuk will share her advice.

Assess of yourself as a specialist

Something like a “self-assessment” is an important step before starting a new stage in your career. Take time to soberly assess your skills and achievements. Also, before moving on to your resume, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses and areas in which you would like to develop?
• What are your greatest accomplishments in and outside of work?
• What unique qualities make you a valuable employee?

Corporate culture

Before working in the company, you need to find out what the work process looks like directly. Eight hours a day, five days a week — if that’s a struggle for you, your work will become toxic pretty quickly. Think about what you would like from a company and what values ​​are important to you.

Market analysis

Industry knowledge will show good initiative and impress potential employers, as well as prepare you for starting a new job.

I also recommend talking to recruiters and other professionals about the current market and salary trends; which sectors are recruiting and how long the hiring process can take.

Networking is key

Having good connections, you can not only enter the hidden labor market that is usually reserved for “the inner circle”, but also find a real advantage over other candidates. Useful contacts in the chosen field can be past or current colleagues, bosses, or friends.

Social networking sites such as LinkedIn can help you expand your network, and it doesn’t hurt to attend conferences and business seminars.

Reconnaissance by fire

The best way to find out if you might like a job is to try it. Consider interning or freelancing in a position that you think you might enjoy. This work is temporary, which allows you to get answers to all the questions without long-term commitments. You will then be able to make an informed decision about your future career should a permanent opportunity arise.

Where to look for a good job?

The more search channels, the better. In general, there are many of them, but for starters, let’s focus on the main ones:

1. Thematic groups in social networks. These are Telegram channels, Facebook groups, and pages of bloggers on Instagram who blog for specialists in your profession.
2. Acquaintances and acquaintances of acquaintances. The more people who know you’re looking for a job, the more likely they will be able to recommend you.
3. Applying directly to the company. Often on the company’s website, you can find a section with vacancies. And even if the right one isn’t there, you can just send your resume and cover letter to them by mail — who knows, maybe a vacancy will open tomorrow, and you’ve already crossed them off the list.
4. Recruiting agencies. This is a very effective way and, in general, a strategic step. Believe me, no recruiter will lose a valuable specialist. Even if it doesn’t work right now, they can contact you in six months to a year and give you a very cool offer!
5. Job search sites. The most obvious and most popular way.
6. Social networks. Many companies advertise their vacancies. So if you interact with relevant content, then there is a high probability you will come across such an ad.