Finding Your Dream Job: Online Guides

By Michele Blandino

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to work on a cruise ship? Do you have a wildly creative imagination and a passion for computers and think that you could make a fortune designing video games, but just don't know how to get started? Or perhaps you've always wanted to be a firefighter. No matter what your dream job may be, there are a number of resources available which can help you get started on your way.

Fab Job

One of the leaders in providing career guides for less traditional occupations is Fab Job. Founded in 1999 by Canadian sisters Tag and Catherine Goulet, Fab Job offers practical advice on how to get started in these and over 50 other unusual careers. Available in electronic book (e-book) or CD-ROM formats (a limited number of titles are also available in print), the appealing thing about these guides is that they are written by people who currently are, or have previously been, employed in these fields. In keeping with the company's editorial style, the guides are all written in a friendly, almost folksy manner which makes them an easy read.

The Fab Job website has a page devoted to each guide which will give you the guide's page count (most of them check in at 100 pages or more), and let you know exactly what will be covered within those pages. There is also an author biography and feedback from previous buyers which can help you decide if the guide will meet your needs.

Most of the guides retail for either $14.95 or $29.95 with the optional CD ROM costing an additional $5.

Dream Jobs to Go

With nearly 100 titles to choose from, Dream Jobs to Go offers advice on everything from being an Adoption Specialist to Working with Horses.

Similar to the Fab Job product, these guides are written by authors who have specific experience in the subject matter. In addition, each guide contains at least 20 links that will take the reader to other dream-job related sites, resources for additional details, and provide tips for breaking into the field. In addition, each guide concludes with step-by-step instructions for getting started in the chosen field.

Each guide costs $12.95 and is delivered in e-book format.

Free Advice

If the Fab Job or Dream Jobs to Go guides don't fit your budget, or if you are reluctant to purchase on-line, there are some places where you can get free advice.

One site, Salary.com has a "Dream Job" sub-category within its Career section that offers a glimpse into what the careers of ZAMBONI drivers, Feng Shui consultant and over 50 other off-the-beaten-path careers. While much shorter than the guides available at Fab Job and Dream Jobs to Go the guides at Salary.com are nonetheless thorough in giving readers a flavor for what the job entails.