Lesson 1 of 1215 minutesFree

What your dream job really is

Sort your values, name your strengths, find your interest type and set your deal-breakers. By the end you'll have a one-page Career Map that guides every decision in your search.

Goes with Chapter 1 of How To Get Your Dream Job. Your answers save in this browser only.

The story

63 applications, no offers

Daniel · Graduate, business management

Daniel finished his degree in June. By October he'd sent sixty-three applications: graduate schemes, marketing, sales, office management, banking, a charity. Three interviews. No offers.

When I asked what he wanted to do, he laughed. "Honestly? Anything. I just need a job." Every application said he was hard-working and passionate. None said what he was good at, because he hadn't decided. The recruiters couldn't tell either.

"I thought being open to anything was the sensible option. It turns out it was the hard way round."

Applying for everything feels safe, but it makes every application general and every interview answer vague. This lesson helps you choose a target. It takes about fifteen minutes.

Step 1 · Values

Know what you won't trade

For each value, choose E (essential), I (important) or N (nice to have). You can only have five essentials, so you'll have to choose. That's the point.

Essentials chosen: 0 of 5

Essential · rank them

Important

Nice to have

Step 2 · Strengths

Good at, and energised by

A strength is something you do well and that gives you energy. Think of moments at work, study or home when you felt absorbed and capable. Write down three strengths, each with one piece of evidence.

Strength 1, and when you used it

Strength 2, and when you used it

Strength 3, and when you used it

Not sure? Ask two people who know your work: "What do you come to me for?" Their answers are often more accurate than your own.

Step 3 · Interests

What kind of work suits you?

Careers advisers often use John Holland's six interest types (RIASEC). Tap the two or three that describe you best, in order: tap your strongest first.

Your letters: none chosen yet

Step 4 · The five Ps

Your deal-breakers and wish list

For each P, write what you need (the minimum you'd accept) and what you want (what would make it a dream). The needs are your deal-breakers.

The five Ps	I need	I want
Pay
Purpose
People
Place
Progression

Step 5 · Dream or fantasy?

The reality test

Write the role you're aiming for, then answer three questions honestly. A dream job is the best realistic fit at the next level up. A fantasy is a role with no route to it yet. Many fantasies are simply dream jobs two moves away.

The role I'm aiming for

1. Do people with my background get this job, or one step towards it?

2. Can I close the main gap in the next six to twelve months?

3. Does it meet all my deal-breakers?

Answer all three questions to see your result.

★ Core activity

Your Career Map

Your answers from Steps 1 to 5 are already here. Finish the target sentence, check everything reads well, then print it or save it as a PDF. You'll use it for every application, conversation and offer from now on.

My top five values

My three biggest strengths

My interest type

My reserve target

My deal-breakers and wish list

The five Ps	I need	I want
Pay
Purpose
People
Place
Progression

My target role, in one sentence

"I'm looking for a role in , where I can ."

The next step, if my dream job is two moves away

Before you move on

Three questions

Five minutes, in English or your own language: whichever lets you think most clearly.

Which of your top five values is your current or last job meeting least well?

What surprised you about your strengths?

Is your target a dream job or a fantasy? If it's a fantasy, what's the next step towards it?

What to remember

Five things to keep

Applying for everything is slower than aiming at one target.
Values tell you what you won't trade; strengths tell you where you'll shine.
The five Ps turn "something better" into something you can recognise.
A dream job is the best realistic fit at the next level, not a fantasy.
Your Career Map is the reference point for every decision that follows.

Lesson 2: Know the market

Test your target against real job adverts with the job-advert decoder. It opens soon: leave your email on the lessons page and it'll come straight to your inbox.

Tell me when it opens Take the Job-Readiness Check