Whether you’re looking for your very
first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market after an
extended absence, finding a job requires two main tasks: understanding
yourself and understanding the job market. Presuming you’ve already
chosen a career and are currently searching for jobs, here are several
ways to actually get a job.
Network. The best
companies to work for tend to rely heavily (up to 40%) on employee
referrals.[1] Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and
acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings
that they could recommend you for. Don’t be too humble or apologetic.
Tell them what you’ve been looking for, but let them know that you’re
flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you’re open to them.
This is not the time to be picky about jobs; a connection can often get
your foot in the door, and you can negotiate pay or switch positions
later once you’ve gained experience and established your good
reputation.
Volunteer. If you
aren’t already, start volunteering for an organization that focuses on
something that you’re passionate about. You may end up doing boring or
easy work in the beginning but as you stick around and demonstrate your
commitment, you’ll be given more responsibilities. Not only will you be
helping others, but you’ll also be gaining references. You should
emphasize your volunteer experience on your resume, as companies that
treat their employees well tend to favor candidates who help the
community somehow.
Develop your personal
elevator pitch. Many structured interviews, particularly those at large
companies, start with a question like “tell me about yourself.” The
interviewer doesn’t really want you to go back to grade school and talk
about your childhood. This is a specific question with a specific
answer…in two minutes or so, the interviewer wants to get you to relax
and loosen out your vocal cords, understand your background, your
accomplishments, why you want to work at XYZ company and what your
future goals are.
Prepare for a behavioral interview.
You might be asked to describe problems you’ve encountered in the past
and how you handled them, or you’ll be given a hypothetical situation
and asked what you would do. They’ll basically want to know how you’ll
perform when faced with obstacles in the position you’re interviewing
for. Be able to give honest, detailed examples from your past, even if
the question is hypothetical (e.g. “I would contact the customer
directly, based on my past experience in a different situation in which
the customer was very pleased to receive a phone call from the
supervisor”). You might find yourself listing facts–if so, remember that
in this kind of interview, you need to tell a story. Some questions you
might be asked are:
“Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn’t like.”
“Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you very unpopular.”
“Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace.”
“How would you handle an employee who’s consistently late?”
Research the company. Don’t just do an Internet search, memorize their mission, and be done with it. If it’s a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees–ask them what it’s like working there, how long the position has been open, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting it. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative, and out do the other candidates.
Settle down. If you’ve
moved around a lot, be prepared to offer a good reason for it.
Otherwise, you’ll need to make a good case for why you want to stick
around in the area where the job is located. A company doesn’t want to
hire someone with wanderlust who still wants to relocate. Be prepared to
outline why you are where you are today, how long you intend to stay
there, and why. Give specific reasons like “This country has the best
school systems in the entire continent, and I have a daughter who might
find the cure for cancer” or “I was drawn to this area because it’s at
the cutting edge of innovation for this business and I want to be a part
of that.” The more details, names, and specifics, the better.
Make a list of work-related skills you’d like to learn. Your
employer will be interested in hearing about how you intend to become a
better employee. Think about which skills will make you more competent
in the position you’re applying for. Public speaking, project
management, team leading, and computer programs are usually beneficial.
Find some books and upcoming conferences that would significantly
improve your abilities. In an interview, tell the employer what you’re
reading and learning, and that you’d like to continue doing so. This is a
list of the 7 most important job skills, wanted by employers, that a
job seeker must have to be sure of landing a good job and just as
importantly, keeping it.
The ability to find relevant information: Research
Skill Job seekers should possess the ability to systematically find
relevant information through research not because they want a research
job, but in order to do effective searches for the data needed by a
particular activity.
Logical thinking: Information Handling. Most businesses regard the ability to handle and organize information to produce effective solutions as one of the top skills employers want. The ability to make sensible solutions regarding a spending proposal or an internal activity is valued.
IT Skill: Technological Ability Most job openings will require people who are IT or computer literate or know how to operate different machines and office equipment, whether a PC or multi-function copier and scanner. This doesn’t mean that employers need people who are technology graduates. The simple fact that job seekers know the basic principles of using the technology is sufficient.
Getting your words understood: Communication Skills Employers tend to value and hire people who are able to express their thoughts efficiently through verbal and written communication. People who land a good job easily are usually those who are adept in speaking and writing.
Efficiency: Organizational Skills Organization is extremely important to maintain a harmonious working relationship in the company and the opposite, disorganization costs money. Hence, most employers want people who know how to arrange their work through methods that maintain orderliness in the workplace.
Getting on with others: Interpersonal Skill Because the working environment consists of various kinds of personalities and people with different backgrounds, it is essential to possess the skill of communicating and working with people from different walks of life.
Career Advancement: Professional Growth Employers prefer to hire people who are able to create a plan that will generate maximum personal and career growth. This means that you are willing to improve yourself professionally by learning new skills to keep up with developments in the workplace. These are just some of the top skills employers want. Take note of these skills which demonstrate how to get the job and be successful in your every job seeking endeavor.
Cold call. Locate a specific person who can help you (usually the human resources or hiring manager at a company or organization you’re interested in). Call that person and ask if they are hiring, but do not become discouraged if they are not. Ask what kind of qualifications they look for or if they have apprentice or government sponsored work programs. Ask if you can send your resume indicating what field you want to go into. Indicate whether you would accept a lesser job and work up.
Reflect after each phone call on what
went well and what did not. You may need to write out some standard
answers on your list of skills so you can speak fluently. You may need
to get some additional training to break into your chosen field. None of
this means you cannot get a good job, only that you need to become
further prepared to do so.
Change your attitude. There’s a difference between making phone calls and going to interviews thinking “I’m looking for a job” versus “I’m here to do the work you need to have done”.[2] When you’re looking to get a job, you’re expecting someone to give something to you, so you focus on impressing them. Yes, it’s important to make a good impression, but it’s even more important to demonstrate your desire and ability to help. Everything that you write and say should be preceded silently by the statement “This is how I can help your business succeed.”
Fit the job to the skills rather than
the other way around. Many people search for jobs, then try to see how
they can “tweak” the way they present their own skills and experiences
to fit the job description. Instead, try something different. Make a
list of all of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and
industries need them most (ask around for advice if you need to) and
find businesses that will benefit from having you and your skills
around. It’s important the nature of the job fits your personality and
salary requirements, otherwise you’ll have spent a significant amount of
time to find a day job you dread getting up for every morning.
