landing your dream job

You're sitting in the local Starbucks, praying that your cell phone will ring and the caller will offer you a job. Since being laid off last month, you've thought about nothing but finding the right position—and finding it fast. Or maybe you're sitting in a noisy cubicle, hunched over your computer but not seeing what's on the screen. Instead, you're daydreaming about trading in this dead-end job for something more satisfying—a job that makes you eager to go to work each morning.

Chances are, one of these scenarios will sound familiar. The days of lifelong employment at one company are long gone. Most of us will find ourselves job hunting several times during our careers.

But how do you find your dream job? And more to the point, how do you land it? To help answer these and other questions, this month we launch a four-part series on getting the ideal job.

Before you can pursue your dream job, of course, you have to determine what that job is. And there's no better time than the start of a job search to consider what you really want to do. If you're not exactly sure what you're looking for, you can narrow things down by answering some basic questions like the following:

1. Do you get more satisfaction from rightbrained activities (creative, intuitive), left-brained activities (analytical, logical, methodical), or a combination of the two?
2. Would you rather work for a large corporation or a small company? Each has its advantages and disadvantages. With a large organization, you're likely to have a more limited scope of responsibilities but more chances to move up. A smaller business will probably offer the opportunity to gain a wider variety of experiences but fewer opportunities for advancement.
3. Which of your skills do you enjoy using the most? Make a list of all the things you can do and then highlight those you prefer to do. It's important to recognize that all jobs will require you to do some tasks you're not crazy about. Your goal is to find one where you can spend most of your time doing things that you do well and from which you derive satisfaction.
4. What's your work personality? Do you like working with the public (customers) or do you prefer a job where you interact with a limited number of people? Would you rather work in a back office or do you like to be out on the floor? Do you enjoy managing (and being responsible for) other people or would you prefer to be responsible only for yourself?
5. What are your non-negotiable demands? Decide how much the following factors matter to you:
   • Geography. How far are you willing to commute? Are you willing to relocate to a different city, state or country?
   • Benefits. How important is health insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance coverage? Profit sharing? A 401(k) plan? Stock options?
   • Hours. Are you willing to work weekends? The late shift? Is flexibility important to you?
   • Pay. What is your minimum requirement? What concessions are you willing to make for the right opportunity?

Searching for a job requires both time and energy. But a thoughtful approach can mean the difference between finding a position that's just another job and finding one that provides real fulfillment.

Editor's note: This is the first of a four-part series on job hunting. Next month: Your resume.