How can you build the ideal future if you don’t know what it looks like? How can you find your dream job if you don’t know what it is?
Before you can get going with the digital marketing job hunt, you need to evaluate what you’re looking for by asking yourself some questions.
Be Inquisitive
Perhaps you do best when you brainstorm ideas. Some questions you may ask yourself include:
- What is your ultimate goal?
- What does it take to land a job you love?
- What type of work would leave you most fulfilled?
- How much do you want to grow?
- What is your target compensation?
Here’s well-known career counselor Richard Leider’s formula that can help with the process.
G + P + V = Career
V is for Values
You probably have a good idea of where your passions lie, and what gifts you have to offer as a potential employee. But you may have spent less time considering your values, especially in regards to a possible marketing career. If you do not “click” with a job in this area, you will find it hard to be satisfied, let alone happy.
So you’ve graduated, now what? Advice from leadership trainer Rick Lozano:
- Start with you and what you are naturally good at
- Make growth a priority and identify development opportunities
- Know your “why” and find an organization that aligns with your values
Start with you, make a growth a priority and know your why. (Tweet this)
Don’t settle, be prepared to adapt
Do not settle for your immediate “best opportunity”. Only take something prestigious now if it means better positioning for your ultimate long-term goal. Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple and Pixar gave a commencement speech at Stanford in 2005. While the entire speech proved quite motivating, one of the oft-quoted passages discusses this idea of not settling for second best when it comes to a career.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs
While setting goals and dreaming big are necessary, don’t get paralyzed trying to create a perfect 30-year plan. (Tweet this) Keep in mind this is just the beginning of your journey and you’re likely to take a few turns that deviate from your ideal. Be prepared to adapt when necessary - perhaps even changing your entire course, if it ultimately serves you better.
Be prepared to adapt when necessary.
Keep Dreaming
The dreaming process can be hard, especially when you are eager to get out there, find a job and begin your career. However, taking time to set goals today is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. You will likely spend your next 30 or more years working, you deserve to make those years the very best they can be.
Defining your destination takes a lot of thinking, patience, and a willingness to adapt, but it’s an essential prerequisite for a satisfying and successful career. Are you curious to learn more?
This is a sneak peek of the brand new ebook - Nailing the Job Hunt. Download the entire ebook here for free! It’ll walk you through each step to landing your dream digital marketing job.
Landing your first real marketing job is now within reach!
The practical steps in this ebook are guaranteed to propel you to your ultimate career. It’s never too late, and certainly never too early to start Nailing the Job Hunt.
