This article is for “go-getters,” not those who are “no-getters” and just want to get by. So what is a go-getter? A go-getter is someone who wants to have the happiest and most successful life he possibly can. He is willing to work harder and be nicer than anyone, including others who consider themselves go-getters.
Go-getters are also willing to start at the bottom of the ladder because they know that once they have their foot in the door nothing is going to stop them from going farther, faster than the others.
But go-getters are like everyone else in that they have to start somewhere. Finding the right job is the essential first step in fulfilling a go-getter’s promise. Here are 10 ways to “go get” a job. First, let’s discuss job prospecting.
1. Set a goal. Getting a job begins with deciding what type of job you want and being willing to start at the bottom even if it means not getting the perfect job right away. Write down the type of job you want, how many calls you are going to make and how many emails you are going to send every day until you find it.
2. Craft a good résumé. Your résumé should be as concise as possible while also summarizing your strengths and highlighting specific achievements from previous jobs. Potential employers want to know more than what your responsibilities were at previous jobs — they also want to get a sense of how valuable you were to other organizations.
3. Be an early riser. Resist the temptation to sleep in if you’re between jobs and start your day earlier than normal if you are currently employed. This enables you to invest time establishing your plan of action for the day. That can mean checking the local paper and online job boards for new postings or even calling on someone before their gatekeepers arrive. Some of my biggest sales were made before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. One of the most important jobs I ever got was triggered after 7 p.m. and one of the biggest IVS Investment Banking transactions we ever did was completed on a Saturday morning around 9 a.m.
4. Develop the right prospects. Online job boards, social networking sites such as LinkedIn and newspaper classifieds are essential resources for finding employment, but you may have to go deeper to find the ideal position. Establish a routine of visiting the websites of companies you’d like to work for and occasionally calling them to inquire about potential openings. If you’re feeling bold, pay each company a visit and leave your résumé behind. This is a good way to get an early jump on a position that has yet to be advertised anywhere.
5. Keep a journal. Maintain a written record of everything you do. Your job search may require you to contact many different people on a daily basis. As the cold calls and follow-ups accumulate, it can be more difficult to remember whom you called when and what was determined to be the next step. In addition, some prospective employers may not respond to you for several weeks. Having pertinent information for each contacted employer on hand is a big help, especially if you have applied for a large number of positions.
6. Turn acquaintances into new connections. One of the best ways to get a job is to have someone you know make an introduction or referral for you. Make a list of people who may be able to assist you in your job search. These people can be acquaintances who have connections at companies you want to work for or are employees of those companies. These people tend to be go-getters themselves and are interested in networking with like-minded people with similar capabilities. If that person happens to be the assistant or other employee of the person you want to meet with, be sure to present yourself well to him. Remember if you win over the knight, he will open the door to the king. Once you’ve mastered the art of job prospecting and turned key contacts into meetings with potential employers, it’s time to shift the focus to making a good impression. Follow these next four tips to ensure a successful job interview.
7. First impressions matter. In many cases, go-getters will decide within the first few minutes of an interaction whether or not they think you are a fellow go-getter. This is true whether that interaction takes place in person, over the phone or via email.
8. Learn all you can. It is essential that you learn as much as you can about an employer’s business prior to your first interaction. This is particularly important before going into an interview. It is highly likely the employer will ask why you want to work for his company. If you don’t have a good answer, you will appear as though you’re just looking for a salary and benefits and chances are you won’t get a second interview.
9. Follow up. Always send thank you notes to the employer and whoever was involved in getting you the interview after the meeting. Do this verbally and via email or a handwritten note. Show your appreciation to the employer for taking time out of his busy schedule to see you. End the note with a suggestive statement like “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” How well you follow up will set you apart from other applicants.
10. Accept what you can get and work up from there. You had a successful round of interviews and now an offer is on the table. But it’s not quite what you expected — the salary is less than you envisioned or you were offered a different position that is lower on the organizational chart. Don’t be afraid to accept less than what you expected. If you work hard enough and prove to the employer that you truly are a go-getter, chances are you’ll end up in the position you initially interviewed for or an even better one later.
For more information on finding the best jobs in industry via BIC Recruiting, contact Hazel Kassu at hkassu@bicalliance.com or (281) 538-9996 or visit www.bicalliance.com/bic-recruiting. You can also find more helpful job search and career man-agement tips in “Earl’s Pearls: Jewels of Wisdom Worth Passing On,” which is available for purchase at www.bicalliance.com/bic-media.
