Landing Your Dream Job, Part 1: Introduction

I climbed aboard my flight to return home from an interview with a company I had followed for years. They were a good company working on interesting things and I was pretty sure I'd recieve an offer from them. I found my seat and enjoyed the green, mountainous view as we lifted off. I could definitely get used to living here, I thought. There is plenty to do by way of out-of-doors in this area!

Still, I wasn't completely satisfied. When I was downright honest with myself, I still wanted to work for that little "cowboyish" company in the middle of the desert. That's where the fun is, I thought. That's where I'd be doing cool stuff! The interview here in the fairy land had gone well, but I felt a little unsure about the type of work they would be asking me to do. It sounded like a lot of paperwork and documentation - not what I had hoped for as a first step into industry after years of academia. If I could have landed a job with the desert company, I know they'd have me involved with design, build, and testing. That's the fun stuff. If only I could have landed a position with them. They didn't even read my resume! I was sure of it. I had applied cold turkey to that company 3 months before, and recieved a form rejection letter in the mail stating that they were not interested. Not even a phone call! Well if they don't want me, I don't want them. That's the best consolation I could give myself.

I stared out the window in frustration. Not at myself, but at the system. Why do I feel like I have to obey the job-seeking system and take status quo? Why can't I find the job I want and become what I want to become?

Then, an idea.

I decided to write a letter directly to the CEO himself. I'd never met him, but what did I have to lose? What could he say? No? His staff already had. But at least I would have made it clear that I was serious about working there. I was serious about being an A player. I began to scribble on some scratch paper, "Dear Mr. _________, ..."

Well, I never sent that letter. And I'm not quite sure what would have happened if I had. But today I work for that little cowboy company in the desert. And I'm working on one of the coolest projects I've ever heard of. My experiences interviewing with companies taught me a lot, and I'd like to share some secrets on how to land your dream job. Although most of my experiences are with engineering companies, I believe the principles and application can be applied to almost all careers.