Some people think about their career in the same way that they might think of a soulmate. There might be a dream career out there, and the tricky part is getting there. While work isn’t all there is to life, it’s best to have a job that you enjoy and that inspires you. 

Unfortunately, you might not feel ready for the career of your dreams. Maybe you’re stuck in a different job or a career path that ended up not being right for you. Many of us are pushed into deciding what we want to do from a young age, but you might change your mind as you gain more experience in the workforce.

With this in mind, how can you become the person you need to be for your dream career?

Invest in Your Health

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There might not seem to be a natural link between your health and your career. After all, you don’t necessarily need good health to be successful. However, it can make things a lot easier as you work on yourself and your career.

Energy is a valuable resource, and when you work, you essentially expend energy and time in order to make money. So it makes sense that, the more energy you have, the more you might be able to get out of your work. Also, if you’re ill often, your productivity will suffer. You won’t be able to work as effectively and you may need time off to recover. This can hinder your career advancement and hold you back.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways that you can boost your health, energy, and even your mental health and self-esteem by investing some time into yourself. While you might be tempted to burn the candle at both ends, a healthy sleep schedule is key to having more energy throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can lead to health problems, irritation, and even cognitive decline.

Regular exercise is also a great way to boost your energy levels, mental health, and general health. You should also ensure that you eat and drink an appropriate amount. What you eat and drink also matters. Water is one of the best sources of hydration out there, and a well-balanced diet is essential for your long-term health.

Work Out Your Plans

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You can’t work towards your dream career if you don’t know what your ideal career is. If you just have a vague idea of what you’d like to do, you can’t take the necessary and specific steps to work towards it. It’ll stay a dream forever.

So, be specific. What kind of role would you like to play? Where do you see yourself in a decade or so, and what options lie along your path? 

While it’s good to be specific, it doesn’t hurt to be flexible as well. While you research the goal you’d most like to have, look into other options as well. You might find career ideas that you didn’t even think of, or roles with similar requirements but slightly different tasks and products that suit your skills and personality better.

As well as working out what job you’d like to do, as well as similar career options and possibilities, you should also figure out what those job roles require. You may need to work towards specific qualifications, or you might need to gain experience in a different job in the same field and work your way up.

Even as an adult, it might be worth contacting a career guidance professional if you’re struggling to find a career for yourself.

Adult Education

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The next step is to start reaching for qualifications that will help you reach your career goals. While it can be difficult to balance education and your current job, especially if you have other responsibilities in your life, it’s often worth dedicating a couple of hours or so a day to your personal growth.

Many adult classes are designed to work around the rigors of real life, so they can fit into your schedule. For example, you might be able to find online courses that you can complete from home, which will still net you a certification. You can also work on smaller courses such as a BBP certification, which will still be necessary for some careers and professions.

Another option is to take classes in the evening and at night. Even if you were limited by a poor education as a child, many adults are able to take basic education classes. This allows them to get the basic qualifications that they may need to progress in their education and future careers.

You can even take advantage of education for non-career-related skills. For example, you could learn how to cook or take photographs with a proper camera. This rounds out your experiences as a person, which never hurts when it comes to building your confidence.

Fixing Your CV

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As you continue to learn and find options to progress in your career or change it to something that suits you more, you should pay constant attention to your CV. Your CV, or curriculum vitae, is what tells employers whether you are suitable for a role, as well as your other strengths.

A CV should be relevant, neatly presented, and should shine a light on your strengths, experience, and qualifications. You should also learn how to optimize your CV to help in the screening process. Gone are the days when a person would carefully read every CV.

You need to design a CV that has keywords to guide AI screening systems. You should also update your CV and tweak it for every job application, so you know it’s always as relevant as possible.

Again, basic things like good formatting and proofreading for errors will only help your prospects. Make sure that you’re familiar with your CV as well, as it will help you if and when you get that interview.