At last count, there were at least 500 job advice givers on the world wide web. Some like Nick Corcodilos on Ask the Headhunter, Alison Doyle, JT O’Donnell, Tim Tyrell-Smith, Paul DeBettignies, Susan Joyce, Alexandra Levit, Julie Walraven, Harry Urschel, Dawn Bugni, Rosalind Joffe, Donna Svei, Marianna Paulson (Auntie Stress), Mark Richards of the CandidatesChair, Megan Biro and her team at TalentCulture, t.h.e. Laurie Ruettimann, and Jacqui Barrett Poindexter on Career Trend are solid gold advice givers (many, many more). Others, like me and unnamed others, tend to give out advice whether or not it really works. My defense? Hey, it is worth what you paid for it and like bloggers everywhere, this is for my amusement only. Don’t take advice from someone else’s Dad, ask your own damn Dad.
Having said that, I have learned—or observed—there are some tried and true steps to getting a job.
1. Learn stuff. It might be proper grammar or spelling or how to trim trees or do high level math. Try to get or develop a skill, any skill. If you are lucky, it will be skill someone will pay you for.
2. Be nice or likeable. The truth is that most jobs are landed because of this very subjective but important attribute. This is not to say that you are un-hireable if you are not nice, but it helps. Oh, yeah, here is an article on that.
3. Finding passion is more about you than the job itself. I am going to slit my wrists if I hear someone say AGAIN, that they want to find a job they can have passion about. Like we didn’t? You do not know what or where your true passion is. Be someone who can create passion no matter what the job.
4. If you want a job where you are told exactly what to do, day in and day out, get really good at asking “Do you want fries with that?” Most jobs are yours to improve, handle and figure out. The bigger the job, the harder those three things will be.
5. It is legal to move. I am struck by how many people stay in areas that have NO jobs. Sure, you will have to leave Aunt Hilda behind, but it is legal to pack up your stuff and live somewhere else. You’ll live.
6. There is only one real reason why an employer will hire YOU. You MUST help them fix a problem and make them money in so doing. Obviously, this is not true in Guv-Ment type jobs.
7. The corollary to “Learn stuff” is “Know people.” It is easiest to find a job if someone you know can recommend you to a hiring person. Since you will have 20 jobs during your career, you may as well start collecting friends and LinkedIn contacts now. Be authentic, genuine and helpful in return to said friends.
8. Don’t expect much from randomly broadcasting your resume or applications. Go ahead and do it if that is what it takes to continue to get those Un employment checks. Just don’t get all depressed when you don’t get a call back.
9. Finding a job is just like sales. Here are the key steps in most sales situations: Find out the current situation (what problems are they having), enhance the pain they are experiencing with these problems by good open ended questions that demonstrate you know their business, present your solution (You) to those painful examples, and then ASK for the order (to work there).
10. After you get this job, work hard and do well. The better you do, the greater your chances of getting your next job.
Ok, that is about it.
12 users commented in " How To Get a Job, Step by Step "
First off, your advice is terrific! In particular, this job-advice post hit the virtual nail on the head!
I especially like #3 – “Finding passion is more about you than the job itself!” SO true! And, “Be someone who can create passion no matter what the job.” I get a bit weary of the “passion” mantra, too – it is human nature to crave passion, and I agree with you on the, “Like we didn’t?” comment!
Of course, #6 cannot be said ENOUGH – you MUST be able to fix problems and make employees money. Otherwise, WHY in the heck would they hire you?
I could go on and on – all 10 points are spot-on; I’m bookmarking this for clients (oh, and #8 – the point about “randomly broadcasting your resume” – ack! If only it were that easy to “get a job”).
Appreciate your pragmatic words blended with humor, GL.
And, thanks so much for the shout out in your post – honored to be mentioned!
Jacqui
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JacPoindexter, Dawn Bugni. Dawn Bugni said: Love GL's POV RT @ValueIntoWords: @GLHoffman shoots straight with #jobseekers in "How to Get a Job, Step by Step" http://bit.ly/ccuj49 [...]
G. L., you are right on with Jacqui, she is golden and a joy to call a colleague but you did very well on this wonderful list. Before I read Jacqui’s comment #6 was my top pick, it parallels my current coaching mantra with my clients, Tell me WHY? And I know Jacqui and my other colleagues would agree that for a resume writer, it can be like pulling teeth to get the WHY – what did you do as you said in #9 to present your solution – not just what can you do, but how have you already proven yourself to be the solution.
You keep sharing G.L.! Between all of us, we will get America back to work and the economy back on track!
Wow, excellent article. You summed it up quite nicely. I would like to respectfully argue the comment #8 – that “blasting your resume out there” is worthless. I disagree. I was a headhunter myself for years, and I probably spent 1/3rd of my recruiting time checking resumes that were being “blasted” – especially when they were in reference to job postings I had made. I know that percentage is a lot higher for less-skilled or entry level recruiters out there.
Plus, “blasting your resume” let’s your existing friends and colleagues know that you are out there looking, so when they hear of jobs they can refer you(and I agree wholeheartedly with you that referrals are the best possible way into an interview)
All in all, love it! It’s always nice to see someone lay out the finer points of job hunting that many people don’t seem to grasp.
Thanks G.L. – I like your #7 the best. By being known, you make it easier for people to find you. And you reduce the risk of bringing you in for an interview. Even better is being know for something (i.e. subject matter expert in your field that blogs, speaks, etc). Sorry Ted but I am with G.L. all the way on resume blasting. Way too many people rely on that piece of paper to do the job for them. Blasting is a time waster in my opinion.
Tim, Ted, Jacqui, Julie–Thanks for stopping by and making a comment.
Intersting that the resume writer experts are the ones who are most against the resume blasting ideas/service.
thanks for your support and all that you all do for job seekers.