Trying to get a job can be difficult in itself, trying to land one in your dream company can be even more daunting. We live in an era where the job market is extremely competitive and ruthless. A lot of people might not be satisfied with their current job or designation and freshers would ideally want to get into their dream companies directly through placement. So, how to get a job in your dream company, is it even possible for a fresher? If yes, then why do so many people fail? In this article, we will address all of these questions.

So here is a ten-step game plan which will definitely get you a job in your dream company.

#1 Get Professional Experience

Job experience matters the most when it comes to landing a job. It could be the make or break factor. If you have the right professional experience, the recruiters at your dream company might even overlook your shortcomings when it comes to your academic performance. But to land a job in your dream company, you’ll have to be very strategic.

If you’re unfamiliar with the industry you’re planning to enter, volunteering or interning in a company from the same industry can be a good start to gain insights and experience.

You might not get good monetary benefits from this but you’ll definitely gain valuable experience, skills, and contacts that are just enough to get your foot in the door.

Employers value volunteering experience as it shows commitment, initiative, and a strong work ethic – after all, you’re working for free which is a hard choice on its own. But make sure you know the difference between gaining experience and getting taken for a ride. Once you gain some experience and have a few impressive projects under your belt, you’re good to go.

#2 Research About the Company

Read up on the company and the leadership team, do your homework on their products, the technologies they are working on, and have a clear idea of how the company is changing the world by offering solutions to everyday problems. Dig into their history, their mission statement and their services. Understanding the company’s operation can give you an edge.

By staying updated with the company’s job listings, you’ll be aware of what kind of workers the company is looking for and it will also help you understand the type of job you might get at your dream company. Follow the company on social media platforms like Facebook, Google+, Twitter and other forums where the company is active. Be on the lookout for updates from the company. You might also want to get familiar with the work culture at the company and what projects the company is working on right now.

This basic research will help you determine if the company’s goals are in line with your long-term objectives. Once you’ve done your research, use what you’ve learnt to sell yourself as the ideal employee for the company.

#3 Be Passionate About the Company

Express a desire to learn and show them that you want to positively impact the company. Bring out new perspectives.

Candidates who can think outside the box, come up with innovative solutions to problems and the ones who have a track record of taking on challenges head-on stand a better chance of landing the job. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what value you will add to the company and what skill sets you bring to the table. Passion, creativity, and an attitude to ‘get things done no matter what’ are all clear indicators which will tip the scales in your favor.

The more you feel a genuine kinship with the company’s culture, core values, and work ethic the better you’ll be able to convince them that you belong there.

#4 Clean Up Your Online Act

If you’re going to get in touch with the company through one of their social media profiles then you need to make sure your online profile is professional. Make sure there’s nothing inappropriate on your profile. Another approach would be to create an Online Portfolio, which a basic website containing your major accomplishments and your skill sets.

This will provide more context than what your resume could possibly provide.

One more upside to having an online portfolio is that recruiters or the HR personnel from your dream company could always stumble upon your portfolio online and give you a call.

If you have already worked elsewhere, make sure that you don’t badmouth the company you worked for on your social media profiles.

#5 Juice Up Your Resume

If you think your resume has been perfectly optimized, then ask yourself this question again. Tweak your resume right before you apply to any company. Pick out the main keywords and responsibilities listed in the notification for the job ad and tweak your resume in a way that shows that you are the perfect fit for the job on offer. You will ideally have to convince the employer that you understand what is expected of you and you have what it takes. 

Showcase your accomplishments, strengths and skill sets and show how you’ve made an impact (in a quantifiable way possible). Make sure you proofread your resume and ensure that it’s spell-checked, and fashioned to align with the company’s needs.

#6 Leverage Your Network

This is a time-honoured advice. People are expanding their networks all the time. Still, 99% of the people don’t know how to leverage it properly. Networking has nothing to do with big events, business cards or engaging in small talks. It has everything to do with finding people who have the largest impact on your goals and building a relationship with them.

It’s all about developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships for social and professional success.

This is your sales pitch, so work hard to get it right. You should know your objectives well enough to gracefully slip it into conversation with others. Try getting in touch with ‘second-degree connections’ (friends of friends/family) on social media as well.

#7 Cash in On Opportunities

Trying to get in through internships, campus recruitment drives, and referrals are much more effective than applying externally through the careers page on your dream company’s website. If you’re planning on applying for an annual program like a fellowship, or for a company’s summer internship, keep track all of the important dates and deadlines.

Many companies participate in job fairs, some even conduct union meetings, workshops and career networking events where people in an industry get together and discuss their work. Check the company’s website to see if there are any happening anytime soon and make sure that you attend them. You’ll have an opportunity to share your resume and connect in-person. This can give you tons of insight.

#8 Go Big On Referrals

Referrals by employees working at your dream company are your best bets. Referrals are considered to be one of the most effective ways to discover talent and suitable candidates for a position. It’s the easiest way to get an interview, so get in touch with someone who is working in your dream company. Gather information and find out what the job entails. Ask them what skills helped them get the job. These tactics can go a long way in helping you secure a job.

#9 Follow Up With A Recruiter

Reach out to a recruiter directly. Recruiters are contacted constantly throughout the day so don’t take their lack of responsiveness as rejection. Your objective as an applicant is to introduce yourself politely and express your interest in the company and the job on offer. Let them know that you’ve applied online and you are following up directly to reiterate your strong interest. Show them that you are willing to go the extra mile.

Just send a polite and professional email enquiring them about the status of the application. Pro tip: cut to the chase when emailing them. This approach will not only get the organization’s HR department familiar with your name but, it also shows your enthusiasm and the seriousness of your candidacy.

#10 Get Noticed

Every time you meet someone new in your professional circle and introduce yourself think of it as a mini sales pitch. You’re contending with everyone else for attention, and you want anyone you meet, either in person or online, to remember who you are, what you do, so you have to convey a message that describes your strengths in a memorable way. So if you aren’t prepared with a well-crafted, relevant, feasible yet unique message, you could lose out.

You should always be putting yourself out there as a brand whether you’re looking for a job or not, so this brand is the career narrative you want to create for yourself in order to stand out from the crowd.

It may be a slow process. It’s important to note that if it doesn’t work out the first time, it’s not the end of the line. So don’t get hung up on a single opportunity at this stage in the process. There are several steps along the way that will all be worth your efforts.

There is no specific formula that will definitely get you a job in your dream company but following these 10 things will definitely take you one step closer to your dream.