The biggest risk of all is doing nothing
You can no longer sit and wait around passively for things to happen. Or wait for jobs to be advertised on job sites.
Don’t wait for job vacancies to be advertised because many will not be advertised.
Whether you like it or not, networking, self-promotion, and giving value is the secret sauce to getting the job that you have always wanted.
Don’t be afraid to tell your friends that you are looking for a job.
Tell your LinkedIn connections that you are looking for new opportunities.
If you have not started accumulating LinkedIn connections, make a start now. A good time to start is today. It will take some time to go pass 1,000+ connections. These connections may potentially unlock information about a job opportunity.
Doing things differently
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Let me ask you this.
If you have tried submitting your resume to countless job portals and have not got any response at all, don’t you think you need to do things differently, trying new strategies?
You really have nothing to lose, but more to gain if you are successful.
Focus your job search on smaller companies
Smaller organisations are your best bet if you are starting out.
Don’t start with companies like Apple or Google. The number of job applicants for smaller businesses will be much smaller when compared with bigger or popular brands.
Unfortunately, most people begin their job searches by focusing exclusively on bigger or more prestigious businesses or brand name-type companies. These businesses may have a heavy presence on college campuses and recruiting sites.
It’s not hard to understand why, but there are unsung benefits to working at small businesses, less established companies, and startups.
The barrier to entry is normally lower for smaller companies. You can get into the occupation or dream job that you always wanted.
There’s less competition and other applicants will not pose much threat to you. Your chance of securing that job is much higher.
The opportunities for creativity will be much higher, perhaps working with the CEO or senior management. It offers true relationships with people across the business where you can even test your hand in various departments and see the big picture of how to run a business.
Remember this: it’s only a springboard or foot in the door into something much better.
If you are a new graduate, getting that first job that is related to your university degree is so vital for you to end up earning much more than someone who did not start off on the right footing.
Getting that first job quickly is vital. Once you are in it, then think about your next move to more well-established businesses.
Strategically build up your portfolio of achievements and sell them later.
Always think long-term. Delayed gratification is always best, especially when finding a job.
Unfortunately, working for a recognisable brand name is more important for millennials and workers in management positions.
Do note that job search is about more than a name.
Always show, don’t tell
Don’t just tell.
You must show the hiring manager that you can apply your skills and experience in the job if you are hired.
Provide concrete evidence of the value you can bring to the job.
Instead of saying ‘developed and implemented innovative process improvements’, say that you have ‘increased operational efficiency and annual revenues by 13% by developing and implementing innovative process improvements in the operations department.’
Always show the tangible value you bring, don’t just claim to bring it with nothing to back it up.
Consider investing time and effort to develop complimentary 90-day business plans for organisations you want to work for.
Research and identify their pain points and problems. These plans should contain your irresistible practical solutions that will solve their problems.