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Dreams Matter

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Dreams Matter
Published 9-10-08
By Ida Davis

Dreams Matter

 


One might believe that after all this time in the workplace it would just be about getting the job.  Write my resume, find the job, submit the resume and get the job.  But there are really too many individual’s not getting the jobs and the competition is fierce. 

 

So then why do I say “Your Dreams Matter.” 

 

It is because unless you are in touch with your own dreams you are of no use to the individual that you want to hire you.  Why you might ask?

 

Well they won’t hire you because you need a job, you will not get hired because you were unfairly treated at your last job.  Nor will you get hired because your resume says your wonderful or because you have been out of work for six months. 

None of these factors will get you hired.

You will get hired if you…

 

  1. Target the company/industry/job you believe will most help you to achieve your dreams.
  2. Are clear and honest about why you will be an asset to that company or organization
  3. You and the hiring manager can envision how the two of you can work toward mutual interests.

 

You might have had a great job at a finance company.  The question for you “is that where you want to be now?” 

 

You might have just left a job that you hated, but did very well, “can you “communicate a sincere desire” to go into a similar position?  Can you communicate your passion to be on the team even though you hate the work?

 

If you cannot communicate sincere passion and commitment, there is no reason to believe you will be hired.

So maybe your dream is to get a job for 3 years and retire.

 

Is that what you tell the man who interviews you?

 

Maybe you want to run the company…

Is that what you tell the human resource person who hires you?

 

But maybe your dream has always been to work for a publishing company.

Can you communicate a keen interest in a company that will offer opportunities to edit newsletters and financial reports?

 

But imagine if you understood how the job would help you to achieve your dream, if not be your dream.  Would you be more motivated, would you be able to sustain your commitment through interviews that ask you what you would like to be doing in five years?  Can you honestly answer this question with the desire to be in a productive leadership role as you think about that retirement plan?

 

How do you explain you only have 3 years before retirement in a society that is age sensitive.

 

You don’t it is not appropriate.  But yet you still must answer that question with candor and in a way that communicates your desire to make a commitment to the company that is considering you.

 

The dream is yours, you need it to sustain you when the offer doesn’t come right away, to sustain you when you are holding out for the right fit for yourself as well as the team you will work with.

 

But even more important, if you start with the knowledge of what you would like to have in your life, you are then able to communicate via your resume, your interview and your network what you are looking for, what you offer and what assistance would look like.  Because we are being future oriented not past oriented, it is essential that you communicate in:

  • Your resume
    • how your life skills have prepared you for the future opportunity you are seeking.
    • What skills you actually want to showcase
    • What values you are seeking in your future employ
  • Your sixty second pitch
    • What you offer
    • What you are looking for
    • How they can help you
  • Your interview
    • How your life path has allowed to grow and prepares you for the position you are seeking.
    • To answer that question, what you are looking for
    • How this company fits into your future goals
    • What you want to be doing in the next five years
    • Why you chose that company
  • Your network
    • How individuals can help you
    • What you want in life
    • Why you are seeking those positions

 

You must be consistent, believable and honest.   You are onstage in the most important sales pitch of your life.

 

Your authenticity will come across in the casual networking discussions.  You can’t be desperate, we won’t hire desperate people.  We will feel bad for them, but we won’t hire them. You can’t make up something for everyone you meet, it’s a small world and people do talk to one and other.

 


You need to know who you are and what you want before you leave the house.  You should know what others will say about you before you leave the house.  And if you don’t know what you want, believe me your not keeping it a secret and no one wants a boat without a compass.

 

Why do your dreams matter,… because you will get up in the morning, you will bring your passion to work, and you will work hard to produce results not just for yourself, but wherever you go. 

 

Individuals who want something in life, are far more employable then individuals who have as their agenda the goal to get a job and make money.   You cannot trust individuals who are in it for the money to work for the sake of the team, or to go the extra mile and care about the quality of the product.  They will either jump ship or chart their own course in either case, it leaves you with the challenge of figuring out what to put on the resume, since

 

  

                                    Do what you love and the money will follow.

 

their isn’t something that you are committed to or passionate about. It makes it difficult to communicate about the great job you want since you are not vested in the job so much as you are vested in paying your bills.

 

Perhaps you care about the environment.  Then seek work in that industry that will give you greater commitment to your goal than if you just want a job. 

Perhaps you are committed to educating the world about autism. Then seek work in a foundation or a school that is serving this population.

Perhaps you are really impressed with Hewlett Packard and believe they are a driving force in the workplace.  Then do your research and target positions being offered by them, or work for a competitor until they have an open position, always knowing that you really want to work for HP.

Perhaps you love the law, then take a position that will allow you to work in the industry of law, or for a lawyer, or go to school, or as a case manager for individuals who have legal problems.

 

Once you have targeted who or what you want to be working for, then you must check to see what positions they are offering and finally craft your resume and cover letters to that end.

If you want to be in the office and not in the field, than don’t showcase your good driving record, or the regional work you did, rather showcase the outcomes you achieved.

 

If you want to be in operations then don’t showcase your abilities as an ace salesman.  Rather showcase your ability to organize, plan and communicate well.  In other words, I am suggesting that you let your dreams drive the job search process for you.  Not the job you had, or the needs you have, but your interest, goals and desires.

Try making a list of:

  1. Your interests
  2. What have you always wanted to do but put off
  3. What do you want for your family, for the world, in a friend
  4. What are your most proud of

Now write a statement about who you are and what you want for yourself.


 

P.S. - TELL A COLLEAGUE                                                                  
Do you know a few colleagues who could benefit from a better resume? 
Please share this article with them.                                                     


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