By the time you step out of college and begin your professional journey, the phrase “Do what you love, love what you do” starts to lose its magic. Reality kicks in when you realize that landing a job is not as easy as you thought, let alone choosing a job of your choice. Most of us began with a dream job as kids, dreaming of becoming an astronaut or a doctor. Thankfully, even as a grown-up, chasing and landing a job you love is still possible and is certainly the best start for your career.

So to recapture some of that magic, here are four pro-tips to help you bag the job you love. Each tip will help you tackle the most common challenges faced by many students pursuing either regular or distance education in India.

To get started, all you need is smart thinking, an innovative approach and lots of confidence to bravely follow your dream.

Pro Tip 1 – Let the network work for you

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Quite often, successful people have a strong network full of like-minded professionals.  It is not a coincidence that they connect with the right people at the right time to overcome challenges.

Social media is a great tool to find such like-minded people who can professionally mentor you, and connect you with opportunities that act like a ladder, so that you can bag your dream job. LinkedIn, SMU-DEAlmaConnect, and PartnerUp are great channels to build a strong network and showcase your skills.

Pro Tip 2 – Stay razor sharp

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Recruitment and HR specialists have pointed out a number of times that companies are always looking for that extra edge in candidates. Simply put, organizations understand that passion towards your job is the greatest driving factor for your own success as well as that of the company.

You may have an MBA, MCA or MSc IT degree, but to be able to stand above the competition you need to showcase your effort in pursuing your passion. This is where going an extra mile always helps; keep sharpening your skills by taking up innovative projects, as well as certification and distance learning courses in the field of your interest.

Pro Tip 3 – Curious is the new brave

Sometimes, you tend to accept the norm and as a result may not even try to achieve the unthinkable. Let curiosity be your fuel to chart a course very few people consider taking (as long as you are interested in it). Sometimes a new approach is all it takes to find your path to your dream career. If choosing a unique MBA specialization helps you in making a career choice, you should consider it.

Pro Tip 4 – Realistic expectations

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Being positive is a great quality for anybody who wants to follow their heart. However, being anchored to reality is equally important. Setting realistic goals and expectations can save you from unexpected setbacks. With this in mind, try to follow the S.M.A.R.T goal setting criteria. Here, S.M.A.R.T stands for setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely goals!

Landing your dream job can be tricky. However, it is achievable with a sound action plan and unwavering focus. Follow these pro tips, stay determined, keep working hard and you should be able to bag the job you always dreamt of having. Good luck!