This Is How to Get Your Dream Job Quicker than You Think
I hope to never work a job again.
But I’ve spent most of my career in jobs. A decade of working in finance gave me an interesting perspective.
I got to see many people get their version of a dream job. My curiosity would often go into hyperdrive, so I’d ask them how they did it. Eventually I used what I learned to get my dream job.
Here’s what I learned about dreams jobs while chasing my own.
The bizarre thing about a dream job
My dream job was unexpected and isn’t what you’d think.
I got a job working with two other guys. We became best friends. The work we did isn’t anything to tell your mother about. But the bonds we formed made it my dream job.
I have fantasies about working a dream job like this again. Yet, I know it’s unlikely to ever happen once more.
The autonomy of self-employment is too good to give up.
Takeaway: The people you work with make a job a dream.
Find the third door
Many employees are delusional.
They think they’ll find their dream job via a job ad aka the front door.
Unlikely.
Job postings are nothing more than ads. Many of them aren’t even real. They’re a way to collect email addresses. Lol. You could say job ads are a lead magnet. Don’t worry, I’m a sucker, I fell for it too.
The second door is where you patiently warm your office seat each day waiting for an opportunity to come up. This is the career ladder p*rn HR sell to attract talent. Most of the time it’s a mirage.
Dream jobs are found when you look for the third door.
How?
You have conversations. Instead of competing for jobs you become a connector of humans. Let me tell you how it happened to me.
I got in a lift. A farmer got in at the same time. I struck up a conversation — not small talk. The next day I saw him again in the hallway. We spoke some more.
I did this several times with zero self-interest.
Eventually we got to know each other through work. He turned out to be a big shot that managed one of the largest tech companies in the world.
He introduced me to everyone he knew. (These are people you can’t look up on LinkedIn.) One day a job came up. It was working with him.
No job ad went up.
“Hey Timbo, you wanna come work for me mate?”
That’s it. I got to name the salary. I got to name the hours. I got to pick the office. I got to handpick the clients I wanted. I didn’t work based on the company rules. Our team had our own rules.
Like I said, best job in the world. All from hallway conversations.
Smash the third door down
Another trick is to use LinkedIn — but not how dummies do.
Spend time each day finding interesting people. Spark up conversations with them in DMs. Read what they say online before you reach out.
If there’s a dream company you want to work for, then your LinkedIn account is how you get an unfair advantage.
Find employees who already work for the brand (ideally mutual connections). If you have none then look up employees likely to be around the dream job you want. Start conversations with them.
Once there’s a bit of rapport going don’t ask them for help.
Tell them what your goal is.
Sample line:
My goal is to work for Microsoft. Obviously you work there. What have you seen people in my position do to get a job there? What did YOU do at the start to get an opportunity? Feel free not to share if you aren’t comfortable.
This strategy will lead to warm intros. Some people may even be wild enough to give you a reference or introduce you to hiring managers.
Takeaway: Careers that explode upwards obliterate reactive approaches and smash the door down with proactive efforts.
Do these things if you get to interview for a dream job
The gift of an interview is where a lot of employees screw up.
They think they’ve got the job. They think they’re smart for trying the third door. The truth is it’s just the beginning.
The interview is where you show value. It’s not where you expand on what your resume already says.
Here’s the unstoppable approach I use to get massive career wins:
Write a 90-day plan
…as if you were to get the job. Make it clear, detailed, and optimistic. Doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to show creativity.
Talk to customers.
OMG! Hardly anyone does this.
If you want to go and work for Microsoft, talk to their customers. Find out what they want. Get some market research. It’s not hard. Everyone you know uses at least one Microsoft product LOL.
Write down three things that are great about your dream company
And three potential opportunities for improvement. Discuss how you’d approach these opportunities. Use humility. Don’t be an Eddie Expert.
Talk about influencing
Business boils down to, can you influence others to get stuff done? If you can then you’ll not only get a dream job, but you’ll get paid the big bucks. Give examples of how you’ve influenced people in business. Explain how you used the third door to get the job interview.
Become their customer
When you’re a customer an employer looks different.
The insights you have will be awesome in interviews. Heck, I even became a stockholder of one company and mentioned it in the interview.
“Actually, I own part of your company so I believe in what you do. Part of my financial future depends on it.”
Get instant rapport
Look the decision-maker up online. Is there anything you have in common? Without being creepy, mention it in the interview if it’s also an area of interest for you.
Brutal truth: People hire people who like the same stuff as them.
Channel that weirdo Tony Robbins
Too many candidates in interviews are lifeless.
Passion and energy are huge differentiators. Channel that big guy with huge teeth, Tony Robbins.
Get fired up before the interview. Push your shoulders back. Own it. Let your voice dictate your actions.
Make the people you’re interviewing with feel you, not just hear you.
Fight Dunning-Kruger Effect
Having all the answers in an interview makes you look weak.
Wait, what?
Dunning-Kruger effect is where incompetent dummies think they’re smart and better at a job than they actually are.
Don’t be this person.
Say “I don’t know once or twice.” It shows you’re willing to learn rather than showing up as a fake genius that’s frequently conquered Mount Stupid.
Then tell them you’ll find the answer and get back to them via email.
Thinking you’re the smartest person in the room is a disease. It kills many dream jobs silently.
Send a follow up
It’s your dream job we’re talking about.
Don’t go through all that effort and then be a lazy ass and wait to hear back. ‘Proactive” is your middle name, remember?
Follow up after the interview with a right hook to the face email.
Example: “Even if I don’t get the job, I learned this one thing… It’s made the whole interview process worth it regardless of the outcome. Thanks again for the opportunity. Would be good to stay connected too.”
Expect rejection
It’s your dream job. It’s supposed to be hard. Don’t cry like a baby if you get rejected.
Do this instead:
- “Is there anything I can improve on?”
- “How would I go about finding out about future opportunities so I can try again? I’m persistent and this is a career goal of mine.”
Bottom line
Start conversations in person or online. Look for the third door. Before an interview, bring enormous value. Show you’ve put some effort in.
That’s how you get your dream job quicker than you think.
– Tim Denning
P.S. How would you like a dream job that requires no job hunt, no interview, and no salary negotiation?
It’s possible… IF you’re willing to make the commitment to become an online writer. Luckily, I can show you the fast path there.
Click here to watch my free masterclass about online writing now.
