Don't feel you have the ideal job? You're far from alone as a recent CareerBuilder.com national consumer employment
survey conducted by Harris Interactive reveals nearly four out of five U.S. workers (84 percent) are not currently in their
dream job. More than 6,000 respondents were polled, weighing in with their thoughts and insights regarding top dream job choices
for various professions and regions.
Salary was one of the least important factors in determining a dream job. Money ranked third (12 percent) compared to having
fun at work (39 percent), which topped the list, followed by making a difference in society (17 percent). Rounding out the bottom three
attributes were traveling and seeing the world (5 percent) and being creative within a position (5 percent).
Childhood dream jobs, characterized by excitement and imagination played a major role in defining career paths as most respondents
polled dreamed of growing up to be a firefighter (22 percent), princess (17 percent) or professional dancer (16 percent). Tied at 14 percent
were those who wanted to be a cowboy or President.
Findings by Profession:
- Across all professions, police and firefighters reported the highest incident of feeling they have their dream jobs (35 percent).
They are followed closely by teachers (32 percent), real estate professionals (28 percent) and engineers (25 percent).
Those in travel and nurses also ranked near the top at 22 percent and 18 percent respectively.
- Those sectors with the least number of workers feeling they have their dream jobs include accommodations/food services
(9 percent), manufacturing (9 percent) and retail (10 percent).
It's not too late to set goals for the year, and MyGoals.com
is a Web site for setting, managing, and reaching personal and professional goals. While the goal-setting
tools are fee-based, the site does offer a no-cost 10-day trial, as well as goal-setting tips and articles.
Employers make snap decisions and are very picky these days, says bestselling author Robin Ryan
(http://www.RobinRyan.com),
a Seattle career counselor, whose technique is outlined in her book,
60 Seconds & You're Hired! (Penguin). So if you don't sell yourself
fast they move on to the next candidate, Ryan notes.
"Employers only remember a few things about a candidate after the interview,"
says Ryan. "Using the 60 Second Sell focuses the employer's attention
toward remembering a candidate's most important attributes.
To create your 60 Second Sell, analyze the job duties the employer
wants accomplished, and then select your top five selling points --
your strongest abilities to do the job. Link these five points together
using a few sentences that can be spoken in 60 seconds.
Ryan also advises:
- Prepare thoroughly for the interview. Research the employer's needs, and prepare examples of how you've done that kind of
work in the past. Computer and communication skills are traits that rank on high on employers' lists.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask the employer. Cover job duties and management styles but avoid asking
about salary or benefits. Job duty questions impress employers, showing that you are really interested in their job. Display enthusiasm
by maintaining eye contact and smiling -- nonverbal behavior counts for a lot.
- Practice answering questions in advance and give examples frequently. To engage employers, job hunters must be positive,
concise, and demonstrate their abilities in less than 60 seconds, which takes practice, as does answering questions like "What is
your greatest weakness?" or "Tell me about a co-worker you didn't like or work well with."
- Dress UP!
Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.
