On “Getting the next dream job”

Common query I get for people who lookout for their 2nd job (or later) is how to start & get a dream one. Specifically one in a field very different from their existing job.

I have compiled a strategy below based on experience of the folks who I saw got their dream jobs in a very smooth way. This is going to be a tactical essay. Read if you want to change jobs to a different field in medium-term future (i.e. 6 month or more) or if you want to understand the process of doing so.

Also note, I will talk about the process of getting a dream job, in a different field ONLY and not in the same career.

Do you know what your dream job is?

Finding right dream job is first about knowing EXACTLY what your dream job is. Start with this:

1. Clearly lay down what your dream job is (XX role in a YY firm)
2. Make a list of firms (i.e. YYs)
3. Find who currently does your dream job, try to get a call with them.

This person should be someone who does exactly what you want to do.

Example: If you want to be an product manager (PM) at FAANG & you are a fresher Asst PM in a startup; the person should be an PM in FAANG not a Director or SVP.

Validate your understanding of the dream job from someone who does it

1. Talk to the person who does your dream job, about how their day, month, year etc. looks like. Find mundane parts of their jobs.
2. Write down what is their exact work, how much time they spend, how are the people in their org, etc.
3. Check for biases (they might give a too good, or too bad picture.) Be skeptical and list down where they are coming from.

After a set of such talks, ask yourself “Do I still want to do this?”.

If yes, do what is mentioned below:

Find what can you do to get started with the actual work of that job. Even without getting that job title.

Say if you want to be a product manager at FAANG. Based on your conversation with the existing PMs, you know what you need to know to be a good PM. Start building products yourself. If your current job/company allows you to do it, well enough. Do it in your existing firm, otherwise do it ‘outside’.

Outside, many things can be done to learn PM’s work. Starting writing blogs on products. Helping early stage startups with product work. Or compiling strategies to make good products. Do everything that will help you have better understanding on PM stuff than an actual PM at FAANG.

Once you reach a stage when you actually have confidence that you have better understanding on PM stuff than an actual PM at FAANG (if not better, then at least equal). Ask yourself “Do I still want to do this?”.

If yes, your next step is to seek an interview.

Getting an interview is all about ‘warmth’

The more warmer the reference for you, the better. Use “warmth” in mentioned order:

1. Get warm leads to get an interview call. (Talk to people in target firms to refer you)
2. Cold email to ‘luke warm’ leads. (Alumni or people with loose connection)
3. Cold email to ‘Big Shots’ with your work/skills relevant to the target role & how you aim to contribute. (write to Director, SVP etc)
4. Apply on website, LinkedIn etc

You will mostly get an interview in some of your target firms.

Cracking Interview = Skills x Confidence x Luck

Once you get an interview, you need to show your skillset. If you have really understood the job pretty well by doing it in some form. You would be relatively confident to nail the interview. Sleep, be well feed, & meditate before interview to relax on the final moment. More people lose the interview because of bad demonstration of skills on interview day, than because of bad skillset.

Luck = (No of applicants — No of positions) x (Features in your cap)

Even after nailing the interview & having the skills of your dream job before hand, you might not get it. That’s supply-demand gap at play. Less chair, more people wanting to sit.

In order to avoid that gap, most recruiters look at vanity metrics. Like college you went to, your grades, past work evaluation etc. Be prepared to show the best of your vanity metrics. You might not have all of them, its ok! Your job is to show why the one you have is relevant & important for that job.

If you still don’t get a job, clearly get a feedback on what was lacking. You need to know exactly which of these was lacking:

1. Skills: “You need to work on structuring to be a good PM.”
2. Interview mess: “That case was bad due to xyz. Other one was great!”
3. Luck (Vanity): “You are great. But we are looking for a ‘holistic’ profile.”
4. Luck (Supply-Demand): “All was good. But xyz and abc can be improved.”

Takeaways

1. Learn about the actual ‘work’ in your dream job
2. Much before applying, start doing that ‘work’ in some way
3. Do that ‘work’ until: your skills > most people who do that work
4. Get an interview using warm leads
5. Nail it, by showing skills & authentic confidence (based on past work)
6. Check for supply-demand gap (more people applying for less positions)
7. If there is a big gap, show your differentiators to the recruiters (subtly)

If you wish to seek more understanding on any of this topic, or want to give feedback on this approach. Do write to me.