7 STEPS TO LAND YOUR DREAM JOB AT ANY AGE

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Trie Angeleva, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

Last week, while walking on my favorite Jersey Shore beach, I met a woman who, like me, was up early to catch a stunning sunrise. As we chatted, her tiny Chihuahua, Lilibel, reminded me of my own Sadie, who used to join me on those same shores many years before.

After some quality dog talk, she asked what I did for a living. When I told her I help both college students and professionals in their prime land their dream jobs, she was intrigued. “Oh wow! I get the college student thing, but how in the world do you help people in their 40s and 50s? Hasn’t their ship pretty much sailed by then?”

As a fellow Gen Xer, I assured her that it’s never too late! The job market might be tough right now, but it’s still absolutely possible to find work you love at any age. The biggest hurdles? Not knowing where to start, doing things out of order or rushing through the process. But with the right strategy, mindset and effort, these obstacles can be overcome — and the reward of landing your dream job is well worth it.

Sure, it’s easy to see why new grads should aim high — they have fresh skills, new energy. But what about those who are older? Why should they chase that dream job, too?

Here’s why:
• Fulfillment and Happiness: At this stage, aligning work with passion can reignite your sense of purpose.

• Financial Security: With retirement closer than when you’re in your 20s, landing a fulfilling, well-paying job is key to a stable future.

• Experience and Expertise: Leveraging years of accumulated knowledge allows for making a big impact in your new role.

• Work-Life Balance: Dream jobs often offer flexibility, making it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Professional Growth: Growth isn’t just for the young. Staying engaged keeps you at the top of your game.

• Inspiration for Others: Landing a dream job later in life proves that age is just a number and can inspire others to pursue their aspirations.

But how do you do it? The answer is taking the right steps — and in the right order.

Throughout my rewarding and diverse career in corporate, nonprofit and small business sectors — including years as a CIO and COO — I encountered way too many people under-employed, unhappy or going through the motions at work. It’s such a pity, wasting time and effort on something that doesn’t align with your passion or potential, and it doesn’t have to be that way. That’s why I developed the Love Monday Method, a 7-step process grounded in strategy and anchored in mindfulness. It’s helped hundreds of college students, recent grads, and professionals in their prime land and flourish in work they love. And it can work for you!

Here’s a snapshot of the steps:

1) Preparation: Mindset is key. Stay organized, energized and committed to growth.
2) Discovery: Clarify your purpose, goals, passions and the impact you want to make.
3) Exploration: Research roles, industries, and trends to align with your discovery.
4) Positioning: Sharpen your personal brand across all job search tools — resume, LinkedIn and more.
5) Activation: Network strategically and prep for interviews.
6) Landing: Apply to specific roles, tailor your resume, ace interviews and secure offers.
7) Thriving: Excel in your dream job, make an impact and continue growing.

The Love Monday Method is the backbone of my coaching approach — we assess your strength in each step, then focus on the areas that need the most refinement. No matter your age, landing your dream job can transform your life. It’s about thriving personally and professionally — and when you thrive, so do the people around you. That’s how we make the world better — one dream job at a time.