There is no better time to find a job than now. With labor shortages at an all-time high, even trainable unskilled people are at a premium. Companies need people.
Now, more than ever, companies are eager to train entry-level people. If you have a passion to learn with an employment history suggesting job stability, jobs are waiting for you.
This is good news for job seekers! Your ability to out-shine your competition for the job just became easier!
Why? In today’s ranks of the unemployed, many job seekers lack even the most basic work ethics.
When completing your application, consider how the person comparing your app might interpret the information you entered or the lack thereof. Imagine you are the recruiter comparing a dozen different applications against yours. Realistically, what skills or attributes would you be looking for in a person if you were spending your own money?
- Did you take this opening serious enough to complete all areas on the application?
- Do you include anything in your job history demonstrating desirable attributes such as a strong work ethic or job stability?
- Does your listed employment history reflect job duties and skills required for the job?
- After comparing applications, why would someone choose you over the other eleven other people?
This is an easy competition to win if you take the time to do it correctly. Company hiring managers do analyze and compare applications against one another. They either get them directly from a job seeker or they get them through a staffing firm. Either way, it is your application that earns you an audience. The advantage of using a staffing agency is only one application is needed. One great application will get you introduced to a multitude of companies, many of which only go through agencies to hire.
No job yet? Ask your agency for a consultation. Revisit the condition of your application and update it where necessary to achieve “Killer App” status. Do this, and people will quickly be congratulating you on your new job!
“He only landed the job because he knew someone who knew the owner.” While “who you know” gave him the upper-hand in getting an interview, he would not have been hired if he did not have the skills. While it is likely others had similar or even better skills, he got the job because he was referred by a trusted source. Connections through networking are no accident.
Networking takes thought, planning, and diligence. For people to stick to a networking plan, it requires discipline. It is a long-term daily project. However, you too can be awarded that lucrative position if you do your networking homework.
While professional expertise matters, employed people you know matter as much because friends can fast-track you into interviewing for unadvertised opportunities. No competition! Employers love hiring through trusted sources. These could be from their own employees, other business acquaintances, or personal friends.
From professionals to the construction workers, opportunities are available for networking. You only have to find them, plan the work, and work the plan. Your rewards can easily be doubled through networking. And if you look, you can find them. Good Luck!
While
at a local coffee shop, I ran across an article by James Altucher, a well-known blogger that has achieved a high level of success. Someone asked him, “What took you the longest in your life to understand?” His response was, “I don’t know if I understand anything in my life. Every day I learn something where I say to myself, “why didn’t I learn that before?”
After some thought, he said “it took me the longest to understand that our ability to survive, to be calm, to even be happy, to possibly be successful, stems entirely from the quality of the people you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with creative, smart, good, honest people and good things will happen.”
After a few thoughtful moments, I started considering my own “surroundings.” Looking from the outside in, I wondered what does my circle of friends say about me? What do they bring to the table and what do I bring to them? One of my biggest joys has been helping friends succeed. Looking back at my life, I realize my greatest successes came with the addition of new friends!
James mentioned numerous examples of famous people that became successful, both in their personal lives and in their careers, who owed much to the quality of people around them. Each of us picks and chooses who those people are within our circles. Is your circle supportive? Do they challenge you? Are you listening?
He went on to describe a venture where success eluded him and from that circle of friends, there was no synergy – ever. If your circle is not positively charged, it is time to change your environment. When people with positive energy are around each other, more energy is created. If you’ve had one bad experience after another, it is time for self-examination. Learn from it, get over it and move on.
Inspirational people are rarely aware of their influence, but that’s what friends do for you. Ideas are traded and nurtured through friendships. If this is missing in your life, improve your surroundings.
Cultivating new relationships outside your present circle means you must do something different. It’s not always easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. The rewards have a life-changing effect on your personal life, your job, your career. Are you ready?
Though I have never met James Altucher, I feel like I have a new friend. He has helped open my eyes.
