How to snag your dream job in banking and finance

Job satisfaction is a hot topic at the moment and according to recruiting experts Hays there are many people now actively looking for their dream job.

Over the years I’ve heard many people talking about finding their dream job. Most candidates however have no idea what their dream job is, let alone how to find it.

There are no quick or easy answers but there are a few things you can do to help you find your way.

List your skills: You need to think of the big picture and consider not only what professional experience you have, but also your talents and your hobbies. List the things you are good at and highlight those you enjoy doing.

Describe your personality: To help you determine what type of career you are best suited for, think about your personality traits. Are you meticulous with an eye for detail or are you strategic with a big picture view? Do you enjoy working in a team or do you prefer to work on your own?

List your priorities: List what is most important to you in your career and your values. For example, are you looking for a career that challenges and rewards you? Should it be something you are passionate about and inspired by? Is money more important to you than work/life balance?

Identify what your dream job isn’t: Here you should not only think about what type of roles but also what things you are not willing to compromise on, such as hours worked, pay and location. Consider also your values in this context; for example your dream job wouldn’t undermine your values or take you away from the things that are important to you in life.

Define your dream job: The next step is to develop a loose description of your dream job. I suggest you start by asking yourself these questions:

• Who/what would you like to work with?
• Where do you want to work?
• What type of tasks do you want to work on?
• What type of work will make you truly happy? This could be anything from working with animals to working with computers.

Collating this information will provide you with a synopsis of who you are and will help you determine your dream job.

Plan to snag your dream job: Once you know what your dream job is, you just need to develop a plan to get it.

• Research the industry as well as the knowledge and skills you will need.
• Network and get to know people in the industry. Not only will this help you get a better understanding of the industry and if you like it, but it will put you in contact with potential employers.
• Take action. If you don’t already have the skills, how do you get them? Will you need training? Maybe you just need to update your resume to highlight a different skill set you already have.

I understand the value of snagging your dream job. At Hays we work with thousands of people every day to connect them with the right job, which can transform their life for the better.