This is a user generated content for MyStory, a YourStory initiative to enable its community to contribute and have their voices heard. The views and writings here reflect that of the author and not of YourStory.
How to transform your first job into your dream job?
Surviving through your first job is the biggest challenge but once you get through the sky is the limit for you. Whether your first job is your dream job or not but you can definitely make it one. This article teaches you the same.
This is a user generated content for MyStory, a YourStory initiative to enable its community to contribute and have their voices heard. The views and writings here reflect that of the author and not of YourStory.
You did a lot of hardwork to get into the most prestigious college of the country. The tale didn’t end here.
Once again people around you were successful in fooling you by saying, “work hard for these 3 years and then your life is set”. Once again, you went through the toil of managing lectures, presentations, assignments, exams, and job interviews. This time the quest for a dream job kept you moving towards your goal.
Unfortunately, you landed into a job which was totally unrelated to you. Now, what next? There’s no point in blaming yourself for not securing a job you wanted to. At times, candidates with good skills and experience aren’t able to get a good job because of huge competition or low budget of companies.
I know you don’t want to listen to such reasons. The real challenge in front of you is to handle your first job which turned out to be crappy. The good news is that you can transform your first job into your dream job no matter what it is.
The following are simple, yet powerful tips to help you fall in love with your workplace and your entry-level job.
1. Treat it like your Dream Job
It’s been three months in your new job and all you have been doing is entering data and cold-calling prospective clients. I know this is not something that you dreamt of after working so hard during all those college years.
The irony is that you have no option other than to continue it for another few months. But that doesn’t mean you will have to treat this as a burden on your shoulders. You can still maintain the same energy and enthusiasm as you would have in your dream job. This is possible only if you treat this job as your dream job and work passionately for it.
In the words of Dalai Lama, "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."
This seems weird but is true. There are many people out there who have started their careers from a lower level such as receptionists, data entry operators and with time and patience they touched great heights. The whole idea is to fall in love with what you do and not just wait for something that you love to do.
2. Build Network with your Coworkers
I know you have read it in a number of blogs. And right now you are just rolling your eyes reading this. But do you think you can survive without having a good network with people around you. For example your company’s accountant knows the recruiter of the company you want to work for. Or, there is someone in the marketing team who can get you to your dream internship.
All this is possible only when you connect with your coworkers. That’s why it is important to build healthy relations at workplace. This will not just make your job interesting, but will also open up new avenues for you. Moreover, team collaboration will make it easier for you to accomplishing your tasks and projects very easily.
3. Take Challenges
To become 'unique,' the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination. -A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
The best part of an entry-level job in unrelated field is that you can take risks, grab opportunities, and be a part of as many challenges you want to. So, why stop yourself from experimenting at workplace.
If you are really bored and want to bring back the excitement, then have the courage to take up projects that others shy away from. Don’t focus on the job title instead shift your focus to building skills like project management and communication by taking up new challenges. Such skills will help you survive in any job in the future. Moreover, you can list such projects in your resume, which will help you in your next job.
4. Get Involved in an Exploratory Project
If you think your current job is taking away the creativity and enthusiasm in you and you have no option to escape then you can try working on something that interests you after your office hours.
For example you can involve in a community of your interest, host themed parties, organize conferences and do a lot more. This will add to your exposure and experience and will make you feel that you have done your bit. Infact, this is another great way to grow your network and create opportunities for future endeavors.
Never give up your passion or goal just because things didn’t work out the way you want to. There is always a possibility of a change and a miracle which can build your road towards your desired destination.
Be 100% in whatever you do whether you love it or not. Consider this as a preparation for your future and keep going. Don’t lose the spirit.
If you liked reading this post, here are some more which you are surely going to love -
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