The process of finding your dream job doesn ’ t always happen overnight . It can take time to find the ideal company , group of experts and industry you want to join for your career .

Taking steps with small , achievable goals , however , can make progress more rewarding , and help you avoid becoming discouraged when things don ’ t go your way .

When creating your goal list , consider these tips from the Idaho Center of Excellence .

BE SPECIFIC

Rather than declaring that you desire a new career path , go into detail with the path you want to take . Decide on a few industries that you are qualified for or plan to pursue further education to enter a new field .

When deciding which type of job is right for you , consider factors like salary , benefits , the responsibilities and if it would be a rewarding path for you .

MAKE OBTAINABLE GOALS Once you have chosen the type of career you want to

pursue , the next set of goals should include how you plan to obtain it . For instance , if you have chosen to enter the healthcare industry , you should narrow down the specific job and aim to apply for a certain number of openings per week .

Finding these positions will require diligence when researching classifieds , job boards and word-of-mouth references from friends .

Keep in mind , applying for

numerous positions each week can lead to discouragement if you aren ’ t invited to interviews . Try to think positive during your search and change your application strategy if you notice that your current documents aren ’ t receiving positive feedback .

ARE YOUR GOALS REALISTIC ? To avoid burnout and disappointment , make sure your goals are realistic for your

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qualifications and work experience . If you are attempting to enter a field for which you are not trained , more qualified candidates will generally be chosen .

You can avoid frustration by only applying for positions where you would make a good fit based on your knowledge . If you are passionate about entering an industry that you are unfamiliar with , make an appointment with a career counselor to discover

the education and skills you need to land a job .

CREATE YOUR TIMELINE

Make a promise that you will be hired for a career in your chosen industry by a specific date . A timeline is a beneficial way to hold yourself accountable for achieving the small goals you set to ultimately acquire your dream job .

You should be honest with the timeline you create to avoid a sense of failure if things don ’ t work out the way you anticipated .

REVIEW YOUR GOALS

If your job search isn ’ t as productive as you foresaw , you may want to review your goals . During the hunt , keep a journal of where you applied .

You can document any feedback you received after a hiring manager reviewed your application or follow-ups from interviews . Consider the things you learned and adjust your plans accordingly .

Another beneficial way to remain positive throughout the job search is to lean on family members or friends . Especially if you have a loved one in the same situation , share experiences with each other about what you have learned throughout the process . It may open the doors to a perspective you didn ’ t consider .