“Am I too old to get my dream job and do what I love?" she asked earnestly.
Related:3 Smart Ways To Escape Your Life-Sucking Job
I've done the same thing for the past 17 years, and I feel like it's time for a change…
But I don't know where to start?
Is it too late for me to pursue my passion?
This is one of many emails I get on a weekly basis asking different variations of the same question…
Is it too late for me?
(Hint: there's a great resource at the bottom that will help you with direction & clarity)
Some people are five or 10 years into their career, while others are close to retirement and just don't feel ready to stop working yet.
This can be a really difficult time, and it's a real pain point for a lot of people.
I'll be honest with you... I'm 26 years old. So, I can't tell you from experience that it's not too late for you.
What I can give you is what I've learned from people much wiser than me…
And what I believe to be...
The Truth About Your Dream Job
In my own moments of crisis, I've spoken with people who are 10, 20, 30… even 40 years older than me…
And I'm constantly surprised by their take on life.
I've been told over and over again by my elders:
“Don't worry. I'm still figuring out what I want to do with my life… so you're just fine."
Combine this response with one thing I know for sure about life…
Which is that things NEVER stay the same.
People, relationships, careers… life in general is ALWAYS evolving.
Forever growing.
So the truth is this: There is no one final dream job. It doesn't exist.
So What Do You Do?
You go with the flow. Trust in the process. Evolve. Grow.
Know that what appeals to you right now will not last forever.
And as you grow, your dream job will change.
I've lived a quarter-century, and I'm already on my 2nd “dream job."
And I fully expect that to evolve and change as I grow.
It true: Knowing what to do is easier said than done… so here are three questions to help guide your way:
3 Questions To Help Guide Your Way
If you were on your deathbed right now, what would you regret NOT doing?
If you could be known for one thing, what would it be?
How can you tie your strengths, values, and passions into something that makes an impact in the world and an income for you?
Answer these questions honestly, and trust in the process and evolution of life.
It's NOT too late for you, and it never will be.
However, it may be time for you to get your next dream job.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey, and if you want a little help with figuring out and getting your next dream job, then check out the free video I put together alongside my mentor here.
It contains three practical job seeking strategies you can apply today, as well a resource for finding some of the best companies to work for today - who are making a profit as well as a difference in the world.
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world's best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
Bigstock
Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
Bigstock
In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
Bigstock
You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
