Five Tips To Help You Prepare For Applying To Your Dream Job

Dr. Mary Mason is the CEO and founder of Little Medical School.

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In the beginning years of my career, I remember seeing an open position for a well-known publicly traded company that required a few more years of experience than I had. I decided to apply anyway. The recruiter was very nice when we spoke and asked if I could introduce her to my boss since he would be “more what they are looking for.”

Just like a high school senior applying to “reach” schools that usually accept students whose GPA and test scores are far above the candidate’s score, should job seekers apply to “reach” jobs that require more work experience and educational requirements than they possess?

While educational requirements and degrees, licensures and certifications for a posted job are challenging to get around, you might have some leeway regarding the work experience required, especially if you bring other desired skill sets to the table. This is especially true if you are an atypical candidate coming from another industry.

Here are some tips when you are considering and applying for the “reach” job.

1. Invest time in researching the position.

This goes beyond just skimming the job description posted by the company or the search firm. With a simple Google search, you’ll often find articles written by business leaders in similar roles discussing the challenges they faced and the opportunities and professional rewards of being in that position. These insights are incredibly valuable when writing your cover letter and preparing for your interview.

2. Inventory your skill sets.

Often, you can become so busy with your work responsibilities that you need to step back and see how much you have developed personally in the areas you don’t consider your primary expertise. Especially as you consider more prestigious roles, recruiters are looking for those soft skills beyond your main areas of expertise. This might include networking, communications, public speaking and mentoring.

3. Use your network.

Especially if you are considering switching industries or moving up the career ladder at your current company or an industry competitor, identify trusted friends, former classmates and work colleagues whom you can talk to confidentially. Often, these casual conversations can not only identify opportunities that are a realistic stretch but also give you great insight into your strengths and attractive qualities.

4. Find your support group.

We all need cheerleaders who build us up and encourage us to meet our stretch goals. My former CEO used to say, “If you don’t reach for the stars, you will only end up with a hand full of mud.” Like a college counselor or supportive parent encouraging a high school senior to apply for a top-ranked university, we need those same types of support groups who tell us that it’s OK to go for the dream job and that we can also do it.

5. Develop thick skin.

There is no better feeling than opening a letter or email or getting the call that you got into a reach school or are hired for that coveted position. But you also have to be realistic and prepared that you might be passed over. Don’t take it personally; you might not have the profile or be the right fit for the company’s culture. Don’t let that one defeat stop you. Instead, use it as a teaching moment, regroup and identify the next opportunity.

Reaching for the dream job can be an intimidating experience. It requires inner reflection on what you can bring to the table and the confidence to put yourself out there as a potential candidate. But with careful and proper preparation, you might find yourself in a career where you are living the dream every day.

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