This is the second half of my suggestions for how you should spend your first day or days in the job market. It is more difficult than ever for people, especially young people, to get a job or even find a job. Follow these tips and you will at least start out on the right track. Click here to read part 1 (In case you missed it).- Build human networks. What are your career goals for the next one to two years? Find people in your community and on the Internet who are already where you want to be. Learn exactly what it took to be where they are.
- Volunteer. If you don’t have a paying job, volunteer to help others. You’ll feel good about the contribution you make. If you’re asked to raise money for a good cause, you’ll learn what kind of salesmanship works and when it doesn’t, how to accept being rejected. If you’re a positive, high-energy volunteer, you might even impress a community leader who can help you find a paying job of the sort you’re after.
- Learn specific credentials and get them. Find our what certification is required for the job you want and why it’s important. Talk with people who have gone through the certification program and exams to learn the biggest challenges. Keep your credentials up=to-date. High tech fields upgrade their standards constantly. Sure, genius and talent count for a lot. It’s still amazing, though, how many people who dream of jobs in the entertainment or information technology industries don’t have the slightest idea of the hard-skill credentials needed to break into these coveted job sectors.
- Give people good reasons to recommend you. Professional recruiters will tell you that your best assets in a job search are the enthusiastic recommendations of employed, well-respected experts in your field. Learn what skills and attitudes these people value and what they look for in an up-and-comer.
- Stay in shape. Being in top condition will keep you energized and improve your overall sense of discipline. Working out is also a great way to channel the frustration of being rejected into a positive result.
- Prepare for every job interview as though it were a trip to the Super Bowl. Research the firm inside and out. Ready yourself with intelligent questions to ask. be poised and on time for your meeting. Debrief yourself and grade your performance immediately after the encounter.
Mackay’s Moral: Getting a job is a job-and you won’t get a better one until you greet each morning with a realist’s winning attitude. For advice that is guaranteed to get you hired click here.
