5 Simple Strategies That Will Get You Hired Faster
By Angela Loëb
Here are the 5 main things that I have observed over the last couple of decades that help people get hired faster. It’s not rocket science, people!
1. Get off the computer and get out there to meet people. Your resume is never going to be “perfect” so stop tweaking it before you start your search. And those job postings you’re seeing online? By the time you apply, it’s pretty much too late anyway. Yesterday, I was talking to a recruiter who said it well… those who get hired are typically the ones who were first in line, and if you’re answering a job ad, you’re rarely the first candidate in line.
2. Make a list of organizations you’d most like to work for. Then create a plan for how you’re going to reach out to the managers who have the power to hire you in those orgs – whether they have openings posted or not.
3. When you meet people, tell them your story succinctly and understandably. By “your story,” I mean that you should know what problems you solve well and where you’d like to solve them (I suggest you give them the top 3-5 orgs on your list). Remove the technical jargon of your industry and make it simple and direct. Don’t ramble. People would rather hear an easy-to-comprehend and compelling self-introduction.
4. When you get out there and tell your story, take an interest in what others’ stories are, too. Introduce people to other people who can help solve each others’ problems. Being a connector makes you memorable to people in your network – and it makes you feel good. “If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.” – Booker T. Washington
5. Allow for outside-the-box possibilities. While you do want to be specific about what would be your most ideal career move, you also want to be open-minded to how that might look. For example, just because you can’t get a regular full time job with super duper benefits immediately, you might consider stepping into a temporary contract position and getting a high-deductible individual insurance plan for now. Being productive again – even if it’s not the ideal job – will do wonders for your self-esteem… that is, as long as you keep your eye on the prize and keep working toward the ideal. And you just might find that the foot you put in that temporary contract door will open up other better possibilities.
UPDATE: My daughter received and accepted the job offer last night!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Next up on…
The Job Search Boot Camp Show!
Date: Saturday, March 5, 2011
Time: Live 10-10:30am CT
“The Science of Finding the Work You Love”
What does your Script, a Sausage Machine and the Weighting Game have to do with your job search? Turns out, these have plenty to do with your success!
On this episode we are joined by Tom Cassidy, physicist, career expert and co-author of “How to Win at Russian Roulette: And Other Fiendish Logic Problems” and “The Electric Toilet Virgin Death Lottery: And Other Outrageous Logic Problems.” Tom’s London-based company, e2aplus.com, offers career transition tools that people can deliberately apply on a consistent basis and programs that are tailored around the areas that need most development. He and his team cite some pretty astonishing results, too: “Everyone who has applied our system to the management of their career has been successful so far.”
This promises to be a fascinating conversation about “using the conclusions of science as a basis for action.” Tune in to learn how you can use science to find the work you love!
Turn your speakers on and go to http://www.jobsearchbootcamp.net
If you can’t join us live, click the link above later to hear this recording, as well as our other past shows.