5 secrets to landing your ideal job

Finding your dream job might seem like a fantasy. However, with the right strategy and a little soul searching, you could land the opportunity of a lifetime. Here are five practical pieces of advice for finding your dream job:

Identify your

ideal situation

Think back to previous jobs you have held and consider why some of those positions didn't work for you. For example, the jobs might have demanded too much from you or required weekend work, which took time away from family and friends.

It's important to consider not only "what" you want to do but also "how" you want to do it, said Brie Reynolds, senior career specialist at FlexJobs, a job counseling firm.Take a career

assessment test

A job can be so much more than a means to pay the bills, but only if your career motivates you and brings satisfaction. Determining the right career path can start with taking a free online career assessment test. You will answer a series of questions related to your interests, work style, personality and values. Based on your responses, the test will identify careers that might suit you.

when applying for jobs

Something as minor as not following directions could trip you up. So, when searching for a job, read ads thoroughly before submitting a résumé or application.

Hiring managers might include specific instructions for applying or ask applicants to submit critical pieces of information with their resumes. And, unfortunately, failure to follow directions could send your résumé to the bottom of the pile. Schedule a mock interview

with an industry expert

You might have excellent responses to common interview questions like, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" However, many job seekers struggle to answer questions that are more industry specific. These questions are harder to anticipate, but reaching out to industry experts in your inner circle or on LinkedIn can help you prepare for interviews.

dream job

If you can't track down relevant opportunities, don't settle for a job you are likely to loathe. Instead, create your own dream job. "Whether you're working for someone else or for yourself, be creative with the possibilities. Take the initiative and articulate what you can do, when you can do it, then do it," said Virginia Chavez, a publicist with Surge Public Relations.