Defining Your Dream Job and Dream Company

As a very experienced recruiter I often ask job seekers what their “ideal” next step is in order to determine if their answer aligns with the opportunity and company culture of our clients.  Typically I receive a vague description of a job where they can make good money and receive the opportunity to develop.

So, most of us would say the same, however, when I probe further and ask questions about the type of relationship with their boss, their peers, the need for work/life balance, etc., I get a much clearer picture of their dream job. This job represents the opportunity and company environment they would jump at the chance to earn, and subsequently quit any other job for.

So, how does one define their dream job and company?  A good place to start is to list your passions as a starting point. This exercise begins a self-examination to determine where you will be most happy.

Why not try using these questions to help you get a clearer picture of what is your dream job and company:

Dream job questions

1. Can my passions be met in my dream job?
2. What is my dream industry to work in?
3. What is my ideal job title and responsibility?
4. If my dream job is 10 years away, where do I need to be in my career progression today?
5. In my dream environment, do I need to have an opportunity to work from home or have flexible scheduling?

Dream company questions

1. Do I prefer a high growth company/opportunity, or a steadier work environment?
2. Is it my dream to have an equity stake in a company or stock options?
3. Do I want to work at an established organization/company with a name brand, or work to build a smaller company up?
4. How do I like to be managed? What other characteristics are important in a boss?
5. What do I value most out of my peers?
6. What other values are necessary for a company to qualify as my dream place to work?

If we take a moment to reflect on these questions, you will notice that there are no questions about salary requirements. For a dream job, you should be open to sacrificing the luxuries of the highest salary paid.  The key takeaway: If the top priority when evaluating a job is money, then you have NOT defined your dream job!

I hope that this has been useful for you.  I went through similar questions to these myself decades ago, and I focused on my job, company and life goals. I discovered the answers to such questions and have been working hard ever since to be in my dream job.  I now work hard everyday to ensure that those people I manage or work for us at Project Resource are also clear on their dream jobs and we are working hard towards them, so that they can achieve their goals.

If your dream job is to work in a meritocracy, to be well-trained, to have limitless promotional prospects, to make a difference to people's lives, to travel the world, then maybe you should consider joining our team.