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Answers to “What Is Your Dream Job?”

Answers to What Is Your Dream Job

Have you ever been asked what your dream job would be and had absolutely no idea how to answer?

You are not alone. A lot of people struggle with this question because they do not know what they want out of their careers. If you are one of those people, do not worry – you can figure it out.

Here are some answers to “What Is Your Dream Job?” that you can use to help you answer the question in an interview!

 answers to what is your dream job

Why Do Employers Ask This Question?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to know what you value in a job. They want to know that when it comes time for you to choose between two jobs, you will choose the one that aligns most with your values and your personal goals.

How To Figure Out What Your Dream Job Is?

Firstly, figure out what you value. Think about the aspects of a job that are important to you and why they are important to you. If there was no limit on money/time/resources, what would your ideal job look like?

Is it working in an office every day, or is it spending time outside? Maybe it is working independently or with a team. It might be creating something new or learning about something you do not know much about.

Find the right fit for you…

Once you have your answer, try to narrow it down even further by thinking of specific companies that are doing things that interest you. If you need help coming up with options, why not read about the companies at a career fair?

Next, it is time to put together your answer. Here is a quick and easy example: “I want a job that I enjoy going to every day and where I can make an impact on the world around me. My dream job would be as an Engineer at an environmental company that is developing new ways of recycling plastics. I would love to have the opportunity to be outside every day and work on something that can help the earth.”

What If You Cannot Come Up with an Answer?

If you are having trouble thinking of the perfect answer right now, do not worry! There are some steps you can take to help figure out what your dream job is before an interview comes up:

  • Figure out what areas of work interest you most. It is a lot easier to find a job that fits your dream job if you know what those areas are.
  • Talk to people in those fields. Ask them about their career and find out as much as you can! Especially consider asking how they got into their line of work and what the best part of their careers are.
  • Read about those fields and companies to help you narrow down your options. You can even start a list of possible career paths that might be the perfect fit for you!
  • Look at your strengths and see how they line up with different jobs/career paths. Once you know what your strengths are, it is easier to narrow down what your dream job is.
  • Do not be afraid to think outside the box when you answer this question! If you do not know right away, try saying that it might take some time for you to figure out what your perfect job would be (if you think it will at all). Once you have some experience under your belt, you might discover exactly what that perfect job is!

In An Interview

Maybe your dream job is to be an astronaut, but you are interviewing for an office job, do not panic! Here are some ways to adapt your answer to fit a job interview that might not be quite your dream job.

  • Try not to mention a specific job title or company. The interviewer probably knows that your dream job is to be an astronaut, but they are trying to get a sense of what you want out of life and why you would be good for the job they are offering.
  • If the interviewer does not seem to understand or, even worse, tries to push you towards something else, try putting it this way “Well, actually I would love to be an astronaut someday, but for now, I would like to work in graphic design.
  • The interviewer might also ask you this question if they want to know how flexible you are. If that is the case, explain that despite your long-term goals, what you need right now is experience because, without those things, you cannot get to where you want to go.

the answers to what is your dream jobs

Example Answers

  • “I do not know what my dream job is, but I am really interested in insurance, and I want to learn as much as possible about the industry.”
  • “I really want to be a doctor, but I know it takes a while before you get there, so for now, I am just trying to find something that will give me the best opportunity going forward. Something where I learn a lot and have access to great mentors.”
  • “I do not know what my dream job is quite yet. But right now, I am interested in the process of starting a business and how it all works. So, for now, I want to try and find a job that will give me experience in that.”
  • “I am interested in finance, I think it is interesting how money works, and I would love to play a part in growing companies.”
  • “I think I would love to be a scientist; they are always discovering new things! I just know that it takes some time before you can actually have your own lab, so for now, I am looking into internships in the biology field. That way, when my dream job does come along, it will be easier to reach.

What Not To Say

  • “I want to be the president of a company one day!” – unless ‘business’ is really your thing and you want that as well, this option seems unauthentic, and like you were pressured into saying it by someone else.
  • “I do not know, I am really young, and right now I just want to travel and have fun” – This answer makes you seem like someone who is not serious about life or maybe does not even want a career at all. Generally, the interviewer will think that if you just want to travel now, you probably are not even thinking about the future.
  • “I do not know.” – does not help your case at all!
  • “My dream job would be something where I set my own hours so I can have time for other things.” – this sounds like you are unfocused and not very self-motivated, which is a bad sign for potential employers.
  • “I always thought that law would be cool, but my friend works in law, and she does not like it at all.” – You want to pick something that you are passionate about. It will never feel like work to you if you love what you do!

Tips On How To Prepare For An Interview

Now you know how to answer “What is your Dream Job” here are some tips on how to prepare before your interview.

  • Try to find out as much as you can about the company and what is done there. This will help you know which direction to go with your answer.
  • Practice answering a couple of times before going into your actual interview. Maybe even write down your answers if it feels more comfortable for you. Just do not bring the paper into the interview!
  • Think about what you could be in the future, and remember that you can always grow into what your dream job is. Be open to anything because you never know when something unexpected might happen.
  • Ask the interviewer what they think is the best part of working for their company. Maybe even ask them if they can recommend any opportunities. Perhaps for further education or even how to work your way up.
  • Try to find out what the company’s plans are for the future and get excited about them. If you can show that you are invested in their success, they will probably want to invest in you.

Learn How To Answer All The Questions!

With so many different interview techniques these days, you can never be over-prepared. So, check out our advice on how to answer What Are Your Career Goals, Why We Should Hire You, or even What Makes You Unique, as well as How Do You Handle Stress, and How Do You Handle Conflict, to begin with.

Next, we’ve done some online research and found these fantastic guides to look at, such as 60 Seconds and You’re Hired!, The Key to Landing A Job – The Interview, or how about the High-Impact Interview Questions, Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, and INTERVIEW with DESIRE and GET HIRED!.

We also recommend reading Fire Interview: The Storyteller Method, and Knock ’em Dead Job Interview: How to Turn Job Interviews Into Job Offers, or perhaps Amazing Interview Answers: 44 Tough Job Interview Questions, or How to Answer Interview Questions: 101 Tough Interview Questions, and finally How to Answer Interview Questions all available online in 2023.

Final Thoughts

So now that you know how to answer and prepare, it’s time to ace that interview! If you are still unsure of what your dream job is, do not worry just yet.

It is all about the journey, no matter where you end up. And soon enough, once you do find your dream job or develop one during your career, you will look back and realize it was all worth it.

All the very best in finding your Dream Job!

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