Tips for the job seeker…

You must have heard people urging you what to do as you search for your first job or for a better job. People’s advice includes “pursuing your passions”, “dressing for success” and many other big and encouraging words. Those words have endured the tests of time and have been applied successfully over the years. But we need to take note that job search is a continuously evolving process. While old practices continue, many new concepts have been added.

The following tips to help a job seeker find his perfect job combine the old and the new:

— Show your vulnerability – You don’t have to show every time that you are a know-it-all person to get the desired position. At times you have to show people your vulnerability by sharing the admiration for somebody’s work and seeking advice. Doing this with high-level people at a company you had been dreaming to join, before they have any job opening you can apply for, could open the door for you to that company.
— Don’t always give way to your passion – People always tell you to follow your passion. At times, that also limits your opportunity to land a good job. What you should do instead is develop passion for your work over the course of time. Doing the latter will give you a better control over your career.
— Create your dream job – It’s normal to have a dream job but you should not just sit around waiting for your dream job to come. Study the industry that you want to work for. Figure out the challenges in the industry and design a solution to the challenges, which you can share with them directly, or publicly through different media, such as blog. Let the industry notice you. There is a possibility that someone may offer you a job.
— Learn how to listen – Job seekers are very much preoccupied with selling their personal brand to the prospective employer that they get caught up in highlighting their qualifications and fail to listen to the interviewer. An interview is a two-way street. No one has the monopoly of the discussion. Listening is a good part of any conversation.
— Start at the top and move down – At times, a job applicant will approach a clerk in the HR department with the hope that his résumé makes it to the hiring manager. But why start at the bottom when you can go straight to the top. Showing respect and tack, you can approach the hiring manager yourself and pitch your case.
— Build relationship at different levels – You will be starting at the top but you have to ensure also that you will build good relationship at every level. Making friend or just engaging in some light banter with the administrative assistant and other personnel is one way of working you way into the organization.
— Do not look for an easy job – Many job seekers make the monumental mistake of looking only for easy jobs. Don’t fall into the same trap. Instead, look for the most challenging job that will test your skills and your will. You will feel rewarded the moment you conquer all the challenges.
— Don’t look for jobs similar to the one you currently love – You might fall in love with your current job but it could be a dead-end job. Instead of doing that, you should be assessing what a job will be like in five or ten years.
— Become your company’s greatest fan – That’s what you need to do the moment you find a company you will love to work for. Show your admiration for the company and what they do. Companies will want employees to love their organizations and whey do. They are very much aware that loyal fans are passionate consumers, and they make great employees as well.

from Jo Ortiz http://ift.tt/2BGl3Tr
via IFTTT