How to Get Your Ideal Job: 8 Practical Tips You Can Easily Follow

Is there a job you’ve always wanted to do since you were a kid? Maybe you wanted to work for Disney or Nickelodeon, maybe even for popular brands such as Nike and Apple. Regardless, having a dream job is a good way to start your career so you can break through the industry you’re interested in, especially if you’re a fresh graduate. But having a ideal job isn’t exactly a walk in the park to achieve.

In Malaysia, the rate of unemployed graduates went up as high as 22.5 per cent in 2021. As a result, some young Malaysians are shelving their ideal jobs in exchange for a more practical job to put food on the table. But even with this grave fact, the steady recovery of the worldwide economy is opening new opportunities for people everywhere.

This is the perfect opportunity to consider pursuing your dream career. Some ideal job examples are: pilot, writer, dancer, Youtuber, entrepreneur, and the list goes on. It’s important to remember that changing career paths and pursuing something new will take time, hard work and perseverance. Meanwhile, we’re here to give you a headstart in your journey. We've distilled the process into eight practical steps to hopefully help you navigate the process more smoothly.

8 Tips on How To Land Your Ideal Job

1. Focus more on fulfilment

Yes, having a high position at a company with a competitive salary are good things to have. But you also have to keep in mind your personal fulfilment. Whenever you land a job, remember that you’re going to have to do the same thing for a long time. And if you’re stuck with that position, you might as well feel a sense of happiness while doing it.

The last thing you need is to feel drained because you’re doing something you’re not fully invested in doing. After all, your mental well-being contributes to your overall performance, and you wouldn’t want that to suffer because you feel unmotivated.

It also helps if the company shares similar values as yours. This will make for a more comfortable and pleasing work environment.

(Read more: 10 Tips to Reclaim Your Happiness And Find Fulfilment at Work )

2. Take manageable steps

Of course, you can't just walk into the Disney Channel building and ask for your ideal job. Now that you have a big goal in mind, it's time to streamline the steps you will take to get there. Typically, you have to assess your qualifications and see what you lack.

Do you need to go back to school? Do you need specialised training or a number of certifications? Break your goal down into measurable steps so you won't be overwhelmed in the long run. It also helps to create a timeline to better chart your progress.

3. Build your network

Word of mouth is a powerful thing. It can boost your prospects significantly the more significant your network is. Join social media groups and participate in various live networking opportunities. Whenever you're stumped and need help with how to proceed, if you know people from the ideal job you're interested in, they can quickly point you the right way.

Having a good network is also a good way of expanding your knowledge and skills about the industry you're interested in. Attend small get-togethers and functions and ask people in your industry questions that can help you in your career.

4. Have meaningful conversations with success mavens

People who have succeeded in their fields are your best sources, especially those aligned with your ideal job. Try reaching out to popular figures and ask them for advice. While there's no guarantee that these people will respond right away (or even respond at all), it doesn't hurt to try.

Prepare your questions in advance in the occasion that they do respond. Try to limit your questions to a maximum of three. Remember that these people are most likely busy 24/7, so you should respect their time.

5. Research qualifications

Do your background research about your ideal job and your target company. Determine the list of qualifications needed for the job and make a decisive plan to achieve them one by one. This may include taking additional courses and getting the right certifications.

If you're already an adult, don't be discouraged by this. Many adults are retaking courses and going back to school to be equipped with the careers they want. Learning is a continuous process, and it's not exclusive to young people.

6. Don’t be afraid to invest in training

If your ideal job is more on the technical side, prepare to undergo some prerequisite training. This is a good opportunity to expand your skill set and discover new facts about your ideal job. Don’t be apprehensive about undertaking foreign concepts; there’s always the possibility that you will find new inspirations with the training you will take.

With new inspirations come new ideas and future ideal jobs and paths that you might want to take. It’s good to note that you don’t have to stick to just one career path. Keeping your options open while pursuing one thing is not bad, especially since the market is continuously expanding.

7. Look for industry parallels

What makes a ideal job? Surely, you got attracted to a special aspect of it. If you dreamed about being a veterinarian, you probably have a soft spot for animals. If your ideal job is to be a restaurant owner, then you must be a total foodie. It's often one aspect of a job that draws you in and motivates you to pursue a certain career.

In line with this, if you fixate on these aspects, it's possible to land a job that isn't necessarily your target job, but it's still in the area of your interests. There are so many opportunities surrounding ideal jobs that are available for you. If you want to be a vet, an alternative can be working as a manager for a pet shop or working for an agency specialising in pet accessories.

(Read more: Pursuing a different career: When to make the change )

8. Get your foot in the door and go for it

Submit your application and attend those job interviews. Be bold and ask questions, such as the kind of people you'll be working with, the work setup, and if you'll be working with a team often. This information is necessary for you to know because this is your ideal job, and its reality has to meet your expectations. If you have to start an entry-level position, you can take it and gain experience along the way.

However, note that your compensation expectations must also be acknowledged. While a high salary is more of a peripheral bonus when working your ideal job, it must still be rational and fair. If you want your work to be seen as professional, charge the right payment for it.

If you want better prospects for your next job-hunting journey, go to our Career Resources so you will feel more than ready. You are also welcome to use our Career Tools to improve your experience.