Steps to finding a dream job in technology or finance

1. Complete a full assessment on what you enjoy doing and what you hate. I recommend you start with a timer and a stack of sticky notes. Set the timer for 15 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind. One idea per sticky. Write down the good, the bad and the ugly. Next organize them in three groups a.) what you hate b.) what you love and c.) indifferent. Examples could be: working late on month end or giving presentations.
2. Now that you have a list you need to assess your current job. Frequently you don’t really need a new job, you just need to modify the one you have. What if you could modify your current position to do more of what you love and less of what you hate? Have you asked your boss for the opportunity to do what you love or what you want to learn? Many of my coaching clients are initially frustrated and looking for tips to finding a dream job in technology or finance and we discover they never even created a plan to create their current job into their dream job. If you don’t ask you will not receive.
3. If your current job just can’t meet your needs, maybe it is time to move on to your dream job in IT or Finance. You need to remember your goal is to not find a replacement job, doing what you have always been doing, you are looking for something new. If you are planning ahead and you have a job, you can be selective. Now it’s time to create the second list using sticky notes. This will include your work environment. On each sticky write what pops into your mind, like work from home, minimal travel… I recommend you then organize the notes to create three buckets: must have, nice haves and can’t haves. For example, if you currently work from home 2 days a week and love it, maybe that’s a “must have” for you. Other ideas to consider include work environment, travel, commute and work times.
4. Review your lists from above before each interview. This will remind you to be true to yourself.
5. Once your prospects look good for an opportunity at a company, I recommend you do your homework. Find people that work there on LinkedIn and ask them how they like it. Better yet, find people that left the company and ask why they left. Your goal is to find a dream job in technology or finance, not jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
6. Finally, as you do your self-assessments, you may realize that you have some gaps. It’s never too late to learn. Check out this article 12 Skills every technical hire should have 
7. The most important tip to finding a dream job in technology or finance is networking. According to Forbes’ article “8 Ways you are Sabotaging Your Job Search”:

Networking is the key to finding the best opportunities. Frequently companies with the best culture that invest in their people, never advertise their jobs. They don’t have to. People want to work there. I recommend online networking like LinkedIn, as well as joining associations and clubs like Financial Executives International (FEI).

That being said, if you are or know an expert in Cognos TM1 / Cognos Planning Analytics, we are looking to add a new team member. Lodestar Solutions is a fun, dynamic environment where we invest in our people. Don’t believe me? Connect with our team members on LinkedIn and ask them.  If you are interested in learning about our open position please contact us at coaching@lodestarsolutions.com and we will send you more information.

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