How to land your dream job

These days, most of us have a dream company even before we have a dream job. And while it's great to not be broke halfway through the month, there's a difference between a job that pays the bills and a satisfying career.

So you know what your dream company is. Now what? You need a game plan that's going to get you noticed and that's going to flaunt what a great investment you're going to be.

1. Really dig in

Being the creeper that you are, you've probably already stalked every single photo of your dream company's stunning office that you could lay your hands on. You know all about its home-made packed lunch catering service and its glamorous annual parties. But there's gotta be more beneath the paint and the polish. Start digging into the organisation's core values or core offerings. The first place you should look to for more information is obviously the company website. There's always more to learn – whether it's from social media or articles.

The more you know, the more you'll stand out in networking events and application materials. You can go the extra mile by checking out the company leadership on LinkedIn and finding out how the company runs.

2. Where do you fit in?

It's time for some introspection. What led you to this particular company? Perhaps you're a genius at making sense of financial statements, or maybe you're a coding wizard, or the 'it guy' of the fitness marketing world. Whatever your niche, start stringing together your story and coming up with a solid elevator pitch of what you have to offer. You're going to need to make an unforgettable speech in front of all those people you've been stalking on LinkedIn.

3. Find an "in"

This is where it can all fall apart. You know exactly what you want to say at the interview. But how do you get in that room? It all depends on the type of organisation you're applying to, and on your contacts to an extent. Hit up the inside guy with all the great networking connections and find out who knows who in your dream company. Try to arrange a sit-down or a quick networking call. If you have a friend or an acquaintance already working at the company, even better. The key here is to know what you want to find out, i.e. possibility of an opening or other people's interview experiences.

4. Application time

With your groundwork laid, it's time for the final step. Whether or not you've gotten an internal referral from all the networking you've been doing, you cannot send in a half-hearted resume. Customise that resume like there's no tomorrow and make sure to construct an impressive intro for your cover letter. Enthusiasm will only get you so very far – it's all about the effort you put in.

The writer is Sub-Editor of the career publication of The Daily Star. She is also a junior at the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka