What does having a dream job mean to you? Is it spending your day doing what you’re passionate about? Having a great work-life balance? Earning a lot of money? Or all of the above?!

The first step to finding your dream job is knowing what your dream job is. Once you have a clear idea of the role you want, you can take the steps you need to get it!

If you aren’t totally clear about what your dream job is yet, here are some questions you can ask yourself to work out what a dream job looks like to you. This involves a little self-exploration and being totally honest with yourself.

1. What do you really enjoy doing?

Think about what you value most and what interests you. Write down all the things that come into your mind - you can narrow your ideas down later. Having a job or career that aligns with your interests means you’re more likely to be happy and satisfied with your work.

2. What kind of person are you?

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? More practical than creative? Your personality traits will be a great fit for some jobs but perhaps not so much for others. There are lots of personality tests available online, like this free Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, that could help you learn more about the specific qualities you have and the different types of job that would suit you best.

3. What skills and strengths do you have?

Write out a list of your skills and abilities. Include everything you can think of from formal qualifications to your ‘softer’ skills like communication and listening. It can help to ask a friend who knows you well to give you a different perspective and point out strengths you may not have thought of.

4. What experience do you already have?

Think about the work and life experiences you’ve had and note down some of them. If you’ve been out of the workforce for a time because you’ve been a stay at home parent or taking a career break, write down some of the experiences and skills you gained during that time. There are plenty of transferable skills that are adaptable to different industries and jobs.

5. What are your career goals?

Think about the kind of work-life balance you want, how much you’d like to earn and where you’d like to be in five years. This can help you select the industries and roles that will help you achieve your career goals.

6. What are your priorities and deal-breakers?

When considering your financial needs, ideal location, flexible-working and other requirements, write down the absolute deal-breakers. Perhaps you don’t want to commute for more than an hour or want the option of flexible working. Be clear in your own mind about what you will and won’t compromise on.

7. What job opportunities and companies are out there?

When you have a clear idea about the type of job you’d like to do or the industry you’d like to work in, make a list of the companies you’d like to work for. Research their values and company culture and think about whether they would be a good fit for you or not. When you have a clearer list of the companies you’d like to work for, expand your options by listing companies very similar to them.

Find out if a company is a good place to work by looking at the company website and checking out reviews by employees online.

How to get your dream job

Now you have a clearer picture of what your dream job looks like, you can plan how to go about getting it!

1. Spruce up your CV

Your CV is usually the first thing a potential employer will see about you so make sure your first impression is a good one. It’s the document that represents you professionally and will ‘sell you’ (or not!) to a prospective employer.

2. Make sure your online profiles are spick and span

The majority of prospective employers will check out your online presence, so make sure all your social media accounts represent you in a positive light. If you have a professional blog relevant to your dream job, be sure to share it. Read more about online profiles and how they can help and hinder you getting your dream job.

3. Set SMART goals

Setting career goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound will help you keep on track and on schedule. It may not be possible to walk into your dream job right this moment, perhaps you need a year’s experience in a different position or to gain a skill, when you know what you need to do, you can work your way to your dream job.

4. Get interview-ready

Make sure you have prepared answers to common interview questions and industry specific ones too. Run through a mock-interview with a friend so you practise your interview answers out loud - it really makes a difference. Have a couple of interview outfits ready to wear in case you get called to interview at short notice.

5. Work with an experienced recruiter

Looking for any job can be a stressful process, looking for your dream job can feel even more so! Working with an experienced recruiter can remove a lot of stress because you’ll receive expert advice and support at every stage of the process including interview preparation.

At Priority Appointments, we know your CV isn’t your whole story so we take the time to get to know you before you meet with prospective employers so that we can recommend businesses where we know you’ll really fit in and thrive.

“I went to Priority Appointments to help me find a job that gave me more of a work/life balance. Remi, Tracy and the team were very professional and helpful, giving great advice and CV support and showing great understanding of what I was looking for. After only two weeks, Remi found me a position that suited my needs perfectly. I had an interview arranged and was given great support and confidence-boosting advice. Another interview later and I received a message to tell me I got the job! I thoroughly recommend these guys and wouldn’t hesitate to use Priority again. Thanks Remi, you were fantastic through the whole process.”  Christian

We’ll support you in preparation for interviews and share our expert advice and knowledge to help you achieve your goals and start your dream job.

If you’re looking for a job in Basingstoke, Surrey or Hampshire, we can help you find it! Get in touch today by email at office@priorityappointments.co.uk or call our friendly team on 01256 334 575.