Describing your perfect position in 5 bullet points.

In my opinion, starting a job search is one of the hardest things in life, despite all the web search tools and information available.  Why?  Because very few people remind you to think about what you want out of this.  Instead, it is very common to focus purely on getting any job.

Nowadays, a job is not for life, but every position you fill shapes your career and ultimately the path you will take.  Before starting a job search, it is therefore crucial to take a large step backwards and think about your personal aims and ambitions.  I spend a lot of time talking to job seekers and I have a trick which I use a great deal:  I ask individuals, “What is your dream job”?  It sounds like a question to ask an 11 year old, but actually, I find it provides a large amount of insight as to where people might start their job search.

So, imagine this scenario:

You are approached by the CEO of a very large organisation, in which all job roles are offered.  (S)he asks you to bullet point 5 items that you feel are important in your job.  (S)he is going to offer you a job which maximises these items.

What would you itemise?  Location?  Field-specific topics?  Flexibility?  Earnings?  It is totally your choice!  It is your dream job.

it is common that job seekers take many minutes to even start coming up with ideas.  This is not an approach often taken.

With your 5 bullet points in hand, there are now two options:  (1) approach a scientific career adviser and ask for suggestions, or (2) browse jobs in a career book (such as …).  (There is an obvious third option, which is to keep the bullet points strongly in mind during an online job search.  This can often be as haphazard as previous, unfocussed searches and important industry sectors are likely to be missed).  Your job search will now be much more confined; this is the time to hit that Google button and perform a search on a subset of industry sectors or specific job roles.

It is hugely unlikely that the job you will end up taking will fulfil all 5 bullet points – remember that life involves compromise – but, knowing where you are headed is essential to arriving at your destination.

I guess, in brief, I always advise: “By keeping your personal wants and/or needs in mind when looking for a job, you are more likely to be happy with the outcome”.