Job Tip Series #6: Possibility in Action
This is the sixth article in the Capstrat series, Getting Your First Job. We hope to meet you at our Annual Networking Night, April 14 at 5:30 p.m.
One morning in late January, I got a surprise call at my desk from the Human Resources department. In a matter of minutes, my personal belongings and I were walking out the door. Due to severe workforce reductions (aka layoffs), my services were no longer needed.
My immediate reaction was to spend the next seven hours drinking heavily. After my hangover wore off, I thought, "Uh-oh...now what?!"
Fast forward three months, I landed a fantastic new job. Through the process, I learned a lot about job searching and how to go about it successfully:
Brainstorm - What do you wish your job was like? Remember when you were a kid, and you wanted to grow up to be a ______? Grab a piece of paper and start writing down all the possible jobs that interest you.
Research - Now you're armed with your ideal job description. But what companies might need such a person? Research will generate lists of companies and people.
Handy notebook - Keep your research in it. Keep contacts you've talked to or plan to talk to. Write down each time you talk to someone and the results or next steps identified in the conversation.
Network - Notify your network that you are looking for new work. It helps to have a short spiel about what you're looking for. It's all about who you know.
A good resume - There's an entire industry around resumes, so I'll keep it simple. Yes, you need a resume.
Informational interviews - Remember that ideal job you've created for yourself in your head? Chances are people have it. Track them down and ask them how they got there.
Not all jobs are advertised - It is possible to get hired without applying for an existing opening. If you are the right fit for a company, they may create a position for you.
Be patient - When Fred Flintstone starts driving, his feet go really fast paddling the ground before his car actually starts to move. That's how the beginning of a job search is. You exert a lot of effort, and for a while, it feels like you're going nowhere. Have patience, and soon your search will gain traction.
The Douglas R. Burtch (my brother) approach - If you've found the absolute perfect place to work, simply keep after them until they hire you. Did you get a polite "No" from HR? How about a "We're not hiring right now?" Call them back every now and then. Jog the company's memory that you'd be a great hire for them.
You CAN get the job of your dreams, but no one is going to knock on your door and offer it to you. With a little bit of initiative, persistence and patience, you can put your career in the place you've always wanted. Good luck!
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