Are You Changing Jobs Because You are Unhappy? If So, How Do Find Your Dream Job?

Far too many people in the workplace hate their bosses and their jobs, but job transitioning can be a tricky maneuver. Maybe you have been unhappy in your current job for sometime and you know you are ready to look for another, but how do you know you won't make the same mistake again?

We all want to find the job of our dreams. But, where do you start? What do you need to know?

As a veteran of the hiring process, I have seen far too many unhappy employees. If you are one of them, before you accept a new position, here are some strategies that will give you the kind of information you will need to find your dream job.

1. Do your homework on the hiring manager, (the person you will be working directly for), the employees you will be working with, and the company.

OK. How does one go about doing this? Finding information on the company isn't that hard to do. Visit the company website and study every page and link. Also, it is very important to find out what others have said about the company. You can do this by visiting your local college library which will probably have archives of articles on the company.

Getting to know who the hiring manager is may take a little more work, but is worth every effort. In my book, I call this the "Who Factor". Determining whether you will have a good personality match or not is the key. You certainly want to know, before you accept the job, whether you will be working for Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. So, here is what you do.

First, pay close attention to the hiring managers behavior during the interview.

• Does he show a genuine interest in you?
• Is he giving you his full attention?
• Does he seem friendly and open?
• Do you feel comfortable and feel you have rapport?
• Do you feel you have things in common?

Listen to your gut; to your intuition. You will find it's usually right.

Second,if the first interview goes well, ask if you can meet with a few of the employees that you will be working with. When you do, ask the kind of questions of them that will tell what they really think of the boss and the company. Questions that will give you this kind of insight such as:

• Why did you decide to go to work for the company?
• What do you like most about working here?
• What do you like the least?
• What would you change about your job if you could?
• What is your bosses management style?
• Do you feel your boss gives you the trust and freedom to do your job atonomously?
• Do you feel you are acknowledged and recogized for a job well done
• Do you feel you have growth potential here?

You may be surprised to find that employees will often tell you more than you think. Although they may not come right out and say they hate their job or the boss, you will usually get enough information to make a decision whether to work there or not.

2. List your own pros and cons about the company and the job itself

• Do you like the physical work environment?
• Do you like the people there?
• Do they seem to be people you might have things in common with?
• Do you feel passionate about what you will be doing? In other words, are you excited about the responsibilities and duties of the job itself?
• Do you believe you will have growth opportunities there?
• Do you feel the position and the company are in line with your quality-of-life? Keep in mind, everyone's quality-of-life issues are different. They could include things like a flexible work schedule, cutting commuting time by finding a job closer to home, or not having to work on weekends, etc.

Remember, the hiring process goes both ways. You are in control of your own destiny. Don't be afraid to ask questions and listen to your gut......and your heart.