Having a great job in a great company is a fairly natural ambition to have. For some, this might be a daily reality. For others, it might seem like an idyllic, perhaps unrealistic, scenario. However, although most people ask themselves how they can land a job they love, many go about it the wrong way when they actually try to achieve this.
The standard approach is to look for a role with a fantastic company that has an instantly recognisable brand and is consistently in the public eye. These include ASX-listed organisations, popular start-ups and world-leading organisations with globally renowned brands. The issue here is that most of the great jobs at these types of companies are already taken, and even more importantly, the availability of projects where you can make your mark, may be limited.
So how do you get to where you want to go and secure a role that makes you excited to go to work each day? Read on to find out.
Firstly, target a number of employers that you would like to work for, whether they’re a global organisation you’ve always dreamed of working with or a smaller company that your peers can’t stop talking about. Once you’ve figured out who you want to work for, make a plan of how you can get there. Simple ways to keep in the know about your targets are to follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook or to set up Google alerts. Although it might seem as easy as simply applying, keep in mind that many key roles within prominent companies are already taken and those that are available are primarily advertised only to be filled internally, making the job market very difficult to navigate.
Because of this, we’ve observed an increasing trend of accounting professionals that are willing to accept positions that are comparable or sometimes lower in stature and pay to their current role. They are effectively trading short-term benefits for those that can be gained in the future; taking on a lower-level role to get ‘a foot in the door’ with their dream company. In everything from career opportunities to happiness at work, having a job with a company you love and want to progress in can often be far better than having a high-status job in a company that you’re not passionate about.
Another way to get the job you’re looking for is to join an organisation that is still growing, establishing its brand or going through a significant period of change. If you choose to join an organisation like this, there is a high probability that you’ll be exposed to a diverse range of work. That exposure results in the opportunity to build on your personal achievements, which will help to further your career in the future.
Great examples can include joining a small but growing company with a limited management structure, and then receiving promotions as positions are created. Or joining specifically to lead a change project that in two or three years’ time will see you become too valuable to leave the organisation. Employers rarely want to see people with that level of knowledge walk out the door, so they will often create new roles to secure their most valuable people. Of course, if a role doesn’t eventuate internally, your experience provides a fantastic lead-in to a role at a ‘premium’ company doing a similar project or moving into a higher-level role elsewhere.
Bear in mind, finding opportunities and companies with potential isn’t as easy as a traditional job search, but there are a number of tactics that can influence your success. The first is to build a strong network and personal brand; this way word-of-mouth opportunities are more likely to present themselves. Secondly, working with a good recruiter can open up doors to companies you may never have heard of or considered. Specialist accounting recruiters such as our experts at Richard Lloyd spend their day finding and speaking to employers across all types of industries. This means that once we meet you and understand the types of jobs, companies and cultures that appeal to you, we can keep you in mind for your dream role and get in touch when it arises. Realistically, most of these roles aren’t advertised publicly and often companies engage us to conduct confidential or discreet searches so the call may come days, weeks or sometimes even months later.
If it’s economically viable for you, then it’s advisable to look beyond the role title and short-term financial gains. Instead, focus on the opportunities the role presents and the potential of the company you’re joining. Think about what career path the role is leading you on, i.e. once you’ve spent 3-5 years in this position, what comes next, who will you be appealing to, and is it steering you towards your ultimate goal? You might find that taking a well-considered risk could provide you with greater career satisfaction and a job you love. For more advice on how to find your dream job get in touch with us today.
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If you have accepted a job but are still worrying about if that was the right decision, please have a look at: Is this job really right for you?
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