There are many steps to take in the pursuit of a dream job. Very few people stumble into success. Some research is required. Some networking is essential. And yes, some luck may be involved.

I’ve helped thousands of people take these steps, one at a time. All of them were talented individuals who were confused about where to start or why their own career development plan wasn’t working.

There’s no simple formula for success since each person has different skills and different aspirations. And not all employers are alike in what they look for in a job candidate.

Here’s a free career Interests Profiler you can use to explore activities and occupations that might be a good match for you.

In the end, though, I think you’ll sense there is no easy answer to finding a dream job. But there are incredible tools, tips and strategies that the most successful job seekers use. If you want help in your pursuit, please contact us. We are here to guide you on your journey.

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A job search can be an emotional roller coaster.  No matter how objective and realistic you try to be, you will likely experience some great excitement and some mild depression along the way.

In helping thousands of job seekers find their way along this slippery path, I have noticed the greatest anxiety often occurs after an interview for a position the candidate really wants.   When will the company call with an update?  Should the candidate call when they don’t hear anything for two weeks?  The self-analysis is incessant and the waiting is excruciating.

Here is my advice on how to lessen the anxiety.

At the end of an interview, you MUST find out when the company plans to call you about the status of your candidacy.  Then you MUST let them know you will contact them if they don’t contact you.

Before you conclude that this is quite aggressive, read the scenario below.

• If the interviewer volunteers a schedule for getting back to you, thank them and reiterate that you are very interested in the position. Then express understanding that delays can occur because hiring managers have more on their plate than just filling a vacancy.  And then: “If I don’t hear from you in 2 weeks, as you plan, would it be OK if I call you in 3 weeks?”

You’re letting them know you will call if they don’t, but you are doing so in a very polite manner that honors their busy schedule.

Here’s another scenario:

• If the interviewer doesn’t mention a schedule for following up with you, ask what to expect. If he or she says, “I have no idea at this point,” respond with, “I can certainly understand.  You are a busy professional and you have much more to do than just filling this position!  Would it be OK if I reached out to you in 2 or 3 weeks if I don’t hear from you?”

How the interviewer responds to these scenarios is important.  If you get a rude reply like, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you,” it may give you some insight into what they would be like to work for.  If you get a very gracious response, that is telling too.

The most likely response is to have you call a recruiter, an HR representative or a secretary for an update, not the interviewer.  That’s OK.  It’s better than sitting around waiting and wondering if you should call and whom you should call.

I wish I could say that most companies follow up with everyone they interview, but the sad truth is that many do not.  So please follow these recommendations, not only to ease your anxiety but also to provide you with some resolution in case the company never gets around to calling you to say the position was filled or was put on hold or the search is stretching much longer than usual.

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