6 Tips for Landing Your Dream Job

by Alexandra Levit, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Do you have a job that's just like everyone else's? Are you looking for a 9-to-5, but wish you weren't? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work?

I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called "How'd You Score That Gig?" These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, Internet business owners and more, have one thing in common -- persistence.

As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Following are six tips to get you started.

1. Learn about yourself.

Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you'd be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.

2. Don't be deterred by a lack of experience.

In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you'll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.

3. Ease into a new career one foot at a time.

Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field, or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you're passionate about something is to try it -- ideally with as little risk as you can manage.

4. Remember that any progress is good progress.

Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they're afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like emailing a networking contact or attending an event -- that moves you a bit closer to your big-picture goal.

5. Start early.

Twenty- and thirty-somethings have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you're unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven't yet reached a level in a career where it's tougher to turn back. That said, it's never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.

6. Have realistic expectations.

Even if you're lucky enough to hold your dream job, there's no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don't love. And "dream job" doesn't mean "cushy job." As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!

Alexandra Levit is the author of "How'd You Score That Gig: A Guide to the Coolest Careers - and How To Get Them" (scorethatgig.com). She speaks at corporations, universities, and conferences around the country about workplace issues facing young employees, and her career advice has been featured in more than 800 media outlets.

2007: Year of First Times

Don’t be confused. 2008 has started already but it’s not late to recap the exciting events that happened last year of the Pig. They may be ordinary for you but I consider them as extra-ordinary. Some may be simple but I treat them one-of-a-kind as they taught me to value life and realized impossible can be possible. So fasten your seat-belt as we travel back.

JANUARY. The night I will always remember. It was my first time to spend the whole night with my college friends in one of our friends’ place somewhere in a hilly area as we cherished our last days in college. Though most houses have TVs and radios, it is like remote as neighbors are distance away from each other. We had our tent built, cooked our dinner, laughed and danced with of course our bonfire. The weather was quite bad and we spent the night chilling as the cold wind was blowing. The next day was a hike in the overlooking mountainous side where you see the whole city. Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Padua for the accommodation.

FEBRUARY. The month of love was truly loving for me. I with my friends was invited for a party, not a birthday party but an engagement party. And what to expect, it’s a formal party so we had our attires ready. The party was simple but was so great to have it as my first.

MARCH. My first retreat happened. I never had one before during Grade school or High school. The event was new to me and the activities were a bit serious. We had the sharing of life stories, confession of sins asking forgiveness from one enemy to another and a lot of crying stuff specially for girls. But of course, the laugh was still there and the one I enjoyed much, the FOOD.

APRIL. I had decided to enroll for a summer class not back to college but in a special class outside. I got involved with the Deaf community learning their language, the sign language. I did really enjoy it learning their ABC, singing and acting with our bare hands. I meet new friends and got along with some special deaf-mute people. How I wish everyone can learn their way of talking for us to understand them, more than knowing what they want to say.

MAY. Lot of things happened in May. I had casted my vote for a national election for the first time. And I admit I received a cold cash from a party though I have my reason why I had to. But still I considered my list as I did not go for a straight vote. Same month I decided to leave the house for my first job somewhere in Cagayan de Oro. That was my first to travel by myself with my own money from my scholarship allowance last year. I was a bit scared though it wasn’t my first time to step in the place. I contacted my uncle the first day to fetch me. But I already planned to live by myself in a boarding house. Luckily I have friends to help me where I stayed for days while trying my wit for that call center job. Thank god I made it, passed the exam and the interview, and was scheduled for training. So I went back home for some important papers.

JUNE. I went back to Cagayan with excitement. When I arrived, my friend invited me for a movie and that was my first to get inside a cinema. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The lost World” was the first movie I’ve watched inside a cinema. I also had my very first medical examination as compliance for my job. The training was moved to July so I decided to go back home.

JULY. Terrifying month it was. I was confined in a hospital for 4 days. I got sick after being contaminated with a deadly bacterium of Salmonella causing a fever, a typhoid fever. It was my very first taste of dextrose. I was so frustrated because I missed the training and had given my parents burden financially. I was supposed to stay until the salmonella thing is totally dead but decided to have home-medication to lessen the bills.

August. After doing the home-medication, taking the prescribed medicines for 5 days, I thought I’d be well and cured so I can start earning money for my family. But it got worsen. The medicines were too strong that caused damage to my liver. In other words, I got hepatitis plus ulcer. So another set of drugs to take and another spending to do. That was school days so I was left alone at home. I felt death was coming my way but I always resist. I did not let my friends know as I did not want to be sympathized that would trigger death in my head. But there were few who visited me.

September. The saddest birthday ever. But wasn’t that bad at all. I never considered it as my last considering my condition that was a bit hopeless. Instead I considered it as a new start and a new life for me. I realized how stupid I was before with the thought that I can make in on my own. I learned to value life and value people around me.

OCTOBER. I felt better and energized. I’m ready to work so I planned to go back to Cagayan. But an offer came through a teacher. I accepted it and my first time to ride a plane and Manila experience had happened. I was there for a training for a new business to open where I’ll be working or simply, my very first job. The experience was great and I promised myself it will happen again soon.

NOVEMBER. The business establishment was launched as well as my skill to handle an event. Though I’m used to during college days for some school events, this time it’s different as it’s more formal and serious. Surprisingly, it went fine and somehow successful though a bit tiring. But that was it, my job. If I won’t work, I won’t be paid.

DECEMBER. I had my first spending out from my salary. I never had for my first one and a half month in the office as I was saving for a business venture and was paying for the money we owed when I got sick. The spending happened that Christmas and New Year as I shared for our dinner for the celebrations. The spending was only for food, no new shirts and stuffs and even gift wrap. And the business venture stuff began when I had attended a BOM (Business Opportunity Meeting) that month with my saving enough for a start.

Sigh! A tough year that was and luckily I survived. Big thanks to HIM. Now, I’m ready for a GO! GO!

Way Back Then

Everything is still fresh how it all started. Don't know if it was coincidence cause i believe it was meant to happen. That was the start of my destiny that i must pursue.

I was in my second grade where at that very young age of 7 I realized life seemed not fair. My mother was a plain housewife while my father worked hard with his old tricycle earning enough to feed us and pay our bills. My mother found ways to earn a little by selling home-made snacks in the school canteen, retailing products or accepting "Labada" (dirty clothes to wash) from our close relative. While my father still considers driving as his lifetime job, my mother got promoted from being a "labandera"(dirty clothes washer) and "tindera"(seller) to Brgy. Secretary and now a government employee. But still quite not enough to feed six-growing omnivores in our two-room home.
Back to where it started, I was a simple kid who wears shorts and slippers in my public school, so lucky that the school wasn't that strict with proper uniform. I only get 2-peso baon(allowance) a day, enough to buy a peso of food and a peso of drinks. But one day, I decided to save a peso out from my two and made a coinbank through an empty bottle of a baby powder. And the story began when a friend approach me to borrow my saved peso one day. I never consider to have it lent as I'm planning to buy something new like a shirt or pair of shoes by the end of the school year as a gift for myself since my parents find it hard to provide most of our needs. But out of nowhere thought, I let him with the agreement of paying it double. I don't know how I got the idea but he agreed. So, I got my money with a 100% interest the next day. He borrowed again and paid until I had enough money to start a small business which is selling a pack of candies. A pack cost 4 pesos that time and a candy cost 25cents giving me a small profit of 2 pesos. So small to think but it got bigger from one pack to two of different flavors and more like biscuits and junkfoods. Surprisingly, I had bought my new shirt from my very pocket.
I continued selling during classes and even let them 'utang' (they eat and pay the next day). I noticed then that some of my classmates were selling too but i keep going. Considering how a bit busy i was counting that small figures, considering profits from brand to brand, listing and collecting payments, I did not set aside my grades and was able to graduate with flying colors on my sixth grade.

High school was a bit hard. Though my baon increased to 5 pesos, still not enough specially when i have no vian for lunch. I wanna start back my small business but something stopped me. I felt ashamed of doing it again maybe because I'm turning to a man, a kid no more. But i must for my simple needs, for my necessities. So i continued saving 3 pesos out of 5. And the selling? I still did through my 'lola's' (grandmother's) not that big 'sari-sari' store. I learned to cook home-made candies like 'tira-tira'(made of sugar) and 'yema'(made of condensed milk), pulvoron and fried peanut. During college, i did selling of prepaid load and longganisa and chorizo, and tried 'pautang'(money lending). Glad my scholarship application was approved that lessened my bills with a semestral allowance allowing me to buy things for myself and for my siblings. But only a part of it as i have to contribute for my bills.

When i was still young, i really look forward to get 18 since it's the legal age. When I'll be 18 i can join nationwide raffles for some product brands and of course applying for a part time job. I had my entries for the raffles but never won even consolation. I applied, had passed exams but every time they see me during interview they have doubts if i can make it. I can't blame them, i was skinny. I was about to land another one when i joined a contest for DJ-to-be in a radio station but don't know what happened, it was stopped. But on my last year in college i land a part time in a cafe as encoder.
For the moment, I'm enjoying my very first job as an office guy doing customer care and sales rep. And my attachment to the business world? well, it keeps on. That's why i really have this belief that business is my forte. I'm into a new world of doing business though not that big time but bigger than my small ventures before. It's more exciting and i can say promising. Just this year when i had invested my savings for it. You may want to know but I'll tell you soon about it.
So, one point in this introduction is to clarify one thing. Don't mind the title as I'm not all through out be talking about business instead it's general though there'll be more of business. I'm a business minded guy so be it and welcome to my business world slash life in general.