People are constantly searching for that great job. You always see people on TV, making a lot of money, looking successful and most importantly, looking happy. A great job can be categorized as different things to different people. Some want to do what they love. Some want to make a difference. Some want great benefits. Some just want more money. Ideally, most want all of the above.
When I started my job search after college, I was surprised at how hard it was for me to find an opportunity. I was very bright, hard-working, and I had a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Still, I had to take a data entry job starting out making $9.50 an hour. Not exactly what I had envisioned on graduation day. My college education had taught me a lot of things, but perhaps missed on one of the most important aspects of the business world. It’s not just how much you know…it’s how you market yourself. There are a handful of key factors in landing that great job, and we’ll explore the following:
- Know something (and have proof)
- Create a great resume
- Interview well
- Be realistic
Know something (and have proof)
It should be obvious to you that you must at least have the basic qualifications of the job you are seeking to even be considered. Usually the hardest part about this is proving your knowledge. Being able to communicate your education, previous work experience, certifications, and additional training can help you get there. It is important to be able to provide your potential employer with tangible evidence that you know what you are talking about.
For me personally, I was looking for a Java programming job, but hadn’t had much experience other than what I did in school. So, I went out and got a few Java certifications using my own money (to take the tests) and time (to study for the tests). It took some time, but I was determined and focused to increase my marketability in my desired job industry…and it worked for me.
Create a great resume
Creating a great resume starts with understanding a basic life principle…first impressions count. If you think how your resume looks doesn’t matter, you are wrong. There are a lot of resources available to help you make a nice looking resume, including templates that match your experience level and/or targeted job industry. Templates are great for getting you started, but they are only half of the equation…you still need to write it. When writing your resume you need to keep two things in mind…accentuate your positives and understand the needs of the position you are applying for.
It’s important to be yourself on your resume, and the key is to make your abilities look compatible with those of the position you are applying for. If you have a lot of education, concentrate on that. If you don’t have a lot of education, but have a lot of experience, make that the focus of your resume. Also, if you have related certifications or awards, make sure to list them. However, don’t include items on your resume that have nothing to do with the job you’re trying to get. If you are applying for a financial planning position, I doubt they want to know that you are an aspiring R&B singer.
When you apply for a position, try to understand the needs of the job as much as possible. Job listings can be very vague in describing the requirements they are looking for, but you must try to match your abilities with the needs of the position so that you can effectively market yourself as the perfect candidate.
Interview well
The biggest key to interviewing well is attitude. Now, depending on the company you are interviewing with and the position you are interviewing for, your interview experience can vary greatly. However, having a positive and humble attitude can go a long way to making a great impression. No one can possibly know everything they would need for a new job before coming into the door, and interviewers know that. It is alright to say you don’t know something, but make sure you use it as an opportunity to show your motivated spirit by saying something like “I have never had an opportunity to do that in my previous jobs, but I am a fast learner and I am confident I would be able to pick it up quickly.”
Lastly, a good interviewing tip that is easily overlooked sometimes…do your research. It’s important to know something about the company you are trying to join. Companies want employees that have pride in the company they work for. If the job is truly important to you, then you will put in the extra effort to understand what the company does and things about the company’s history. It shows that you are self-motivated, it shows that you are trying to make a good impression, and it shows that you took the interview seriously. Sometimes that can be the difference in separating yourself from a similar candidate.
Be realistic
Don’t expect your interview and job offer (if you get that far) to be some glorious event where all your dreams are realized and money starts raining from the ceiling. Most of the time, it can be somewhat anti-climactic even if you get offered the job. Maybe you get the job, but the compensation package isn’t as good as you had expected. Or maybe the compensation is good, but your job responsibilities are a little different than you expected. Either way, understand that it’s just a job offer…and that you have to make the call on whether or not it is what you want to do with your life.
One thing to remember about the interview…it’s is not just you that is being judged. You also need to be analyzing the company you are interviewing with to decide if the environment and culture are what you are looking for in an employer. Most interviewees get so caught up in making a good impression that they forget the company needs to make a good impression on them as well.
Finding your dream job is work in itself. If you are targeting a certain company or industry, you very well may need to do some preparation before having an opportunity to be considered for your desired positions. However, if you are determined and it really means that much to you the amount of work won’t matter to you. Isn’t that the whole point? We all want a job that doesn’t feel like a job. So if you are truly going for a position that sparks your passion, you will be able to put the amount of extra work in perspective and realize it’s just a temporary step towards your ultimate goal.
