1.) Don't phone (or email) it in
Scanning the job sites and sending email applications is what everyone does. It's one of the most used but least effective
ways to really show up on someone's radar.
Get up, get out and
connect with people and ask for what you want. Most people don’t get what
they want because they don’t ask for it.
Fear of looking
“stupid,” not knowing something, or simple fear of rejection keeps most people
separated from what they want the most.
Get a
conversation started.
All call
posts on LinkedIn groups asking for job or internship are largely ineffective.
If you want a job in a particular industry, join related LinkedIn
groups and start posting questions (i.e. "what are the top 5 things you look for in an entry-level candidate?”) Get to know the people
in the field who are posting regularly.
The reason many people don't spend more time doing this type of job hunting is because the outcomes are not as predictable and linear as sending out 10s of resumes and waiting. Putting yourself out there can be uncomfortable for a lot of people, but, trust me, these connections are where the magic happens and you learn from them. You never now where they might lead. Get used to the awkwardness and put yourself out there.
Get high and get hired
People love helping other people, this phenomena is called the “helpers high.” Whatever you want to be,
someone is doing it or has done it, find them, interview them and then ask them
to introduce you to other people in your field of
interest. If you want to be a journalist, reach out to one or two... or five and ask them about their job and what it's really like, what it takes to be successful and what advice they might have for you.
Meg Jay, in her book the “Defining Decade: why your twenties matter,"
calls these “loose connections” and it is these loose connections that will put
you on the track to your dream job a lot faster than you think.
2.)
Be real
You just
graduated college, so potential employers are not expecting you to
single-handedly craft their strategic plan and implement it, but they will
expect you to be real and have a logical reason for wanting to work for
them, so be honest with yourself and honest with them.
At the end of
the day, people want to know what’s in your mind and heart as much or more
than they want to know what’s in your transcripts.
If you can’t come up with a
genuine answer to the question, “Why do you want to work
here?” Then why DO you want to work there? If it’s just because you
need the money, big mistake. See tip 5. “Don’t sell
out”
3.) Resume’s are boring (they are)
Do something original and a
little brave to distinguish yourself. I once had a candidate include a
list of 100 accomplishments with his resume. This kid was bright,
right out of college and didn’t have lots of work experience, so he took a
risk and sent a list of things he’d accomplished in life, but that weren't standard resume material. I loved it
and I felt like I knew him after reading that list. One of
his accomplishments was “I survived my parents divorcing (twice).” I thought it was brave and unconventional and it won me
over.
Don’t be afraid to put a little ‘skin in the
game’ by showing who you really are.
4.) Have
goals
Have
a meaningful goals (at least one) and connect the goal with the job you’re
applying for. People get energized by other’s goals and they see people with clear goals as decisive and disciplined.
Our nature as humans is to “complete” and make sense of
things. It’s how our brains work. People want to be able to make
sense of your behavior and knowing your goals is a great way to help them do
that. If you don’t know what you want to do with the rest of your life, that’s
fine, the person interviewing you probably didn’t at your age (and very likely
still doesn’t). Go for what interests you and tell them what you are
trying to do in terms of goals. For example, “My goal is to learn as much as I can about
[this job, industry, field], so I can determine my career path” or “My dad
was partner in a law firm and my goal is to do that by the time I’m 40.” If
you don’t know, don’t pretend you do, just have goals around what you do
know and be up front about them.
5.) Don’t
sell out
Desperation repels. During the economic recession in the US,
I interviewed mid-career professionals who had been out of work for
over a year, some of whom may have been living on their savings and growing
desperate to get back in the workforce. The telltale sign was that they weren't discriminating.
They would say they’d work "anywhere", do "anything" and tended to
answer questions in generalities for fear that stating a preference or viewpoint would make them less likely to get the job. If you hate something don’t say you
love it, if you love something, don’t say you hate it. No matter how
badly you need to pay the rent, don’t fall
into the trap of trying to be all things to all interviewers just to get
the job. It rarely works, and when it does it usually doesn’t end well.
Final thoughts
Remember, sometimes you do everything right and you still don't get the job. Give fate a nod, assume it's for the best and keep moving. Don't get discouraged and start getting down on yourself. When it comes to job hunting, that's the kiss of death. People want to be around positive, confident people. Believe in yourself and believe that the job you want is out there, and eventually, if you persist, you'll get it. To quote Winston Churchill. "Never, Never, Never, Never give up."
Make your move.
Courtney Kirschbaum
Founder
