Get Up & Get Hired
By Maceo Keeling
Searching for a job can be stressful, overwhelming, and a time-consuming process.
Whether you’re looking for your very first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market, finding a job requires some ingenuity. While there are no magic ways to guarantee job offers come pouring in, waiting months to find a job may not even be an option.
Here are a few innovative ways to improve your chances.
Volunteer
The wonderful thing about volunteering is that there are generally very few prerequisites. Depending on the organization, your record won’t become an issue until you’ve impressed them with your talents, knowledge, and contributions. Identify a company or organization that is hiring and offer your services on a volunteer basis.
By volunteering, you will give the organization an opportunity to see your talents in action. This will give you an opportunity to determine, in advance, whether or not you like the work environment. You also avoid quitting your current job until you’re sure of taking—and liking—a new one, thus also avoiding a sketchy work history of moving from job to job. You will also gain valuable work experience, and improve your chances of being hired for a paid position.
Being an “on-site” volunteer gives you a competitive advantage in applying for a position over those outside the company. You’ll be privy to job postings, and will have developed a rapport with employees and hiring authorities. Most importantly, you will have discovered if you and the organization are a good fit. In the process, you are giving back to the communities the organization serves.
Many people don’t realize the advantages that social media offers. Many businesses have pages on Facebook that help with professional networking. Some companies and organization may allow you to make professional contact with their employees.
Facebook also offers services that allows you to create your own target ad to promote your skills to organizations that could be hiring. There is a small fee, but it’s worth the advantage it offers over other job seekers in your profession.
NOTE: It very important to clean up your Facebook page before you start looking for employment. Facebook is where many employers search to determine your lifestyle and also the lifestyle of people you associate with on social media.
Know Your Audience
Before you go on a job interview, find out everything you can about the organization and its hiring processes. Look the company up on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and the organization’s website. Get to know a little bit about the person you’ll be interviewing with. Try to find some related experience or interest that you share with your interviewer that will get you the competitive edge you’ll need. Make an attempt to connect and relate; be friendly, but not familiar.
If your résumé got you in the door for an interview, it will be your attitude and personality that get you the job! Be open and honest, and avoid appearing over-confident. Remember, you do not know how they do things in their company environment, so try to assess where YOU fit in.
Also, be prepared to ask appropriate job-related questions. They will invariably ask if you have any questions. Ask what are the characteristics of a top performer in the position you are seeking? What does he or she look for in a candidate? What is the culture and management style? Ask what they like about the job they’re currently holding. This will send a favorable message that you are prepared and interested in the company and the individuals working within the organization.
YouTube
YouTube is a great resource for your job-search effort. It’s an easy way for you to show off your skills, when it comes to setting yourself apart in the job search. You can use a video as a chance to follow up after an interview and say thanks. Or you could take the opportunity to send your potential employer something you’ve put together that displays your creativity or a skill that sets you apart.
Send a link to your video via email to the people who conducted your interview as a way to follow up, speaking about your professional experiences. With very little investment you can make a great impression and increase your chances for future employment.”
Think outside the box: today’s job market is very competitive. If you implement a few unique strategies you can be the stand-out potential employee many companies are looking for.
Remember: You don’t have to be great to start something, but you do have to start something to become great!
Answer the call!
The Conscious Call radio program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on WRES-FM 100.7. In a collaboration with the radio program, the Urban News will help keep readers informed about events, programs, news, and the progress of The Conscious Call. The opinions and statements made in this column are solely the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the Urban News.
