Have you played competitive sports? How about online gaming, social sports, or in classroom settings? Yes, winning requires is a little bit of luck, but mostly it takes skill.
In this new era of job search, you need to be the best. To win a job today, you can have no “unforced errors,” you need practice and preparation, and you must be “on your game” at all times.
Most job seekers forget the feeling, the emotion, and the discipline required to compete for employment. While there are jobs in the market today, more people are applying per job than ever before.
As an ex-nationally ranked tennis player, musician, and 30-year veteran of the job search process, I’d like to share three things you can do to ensure you are ready to win:
1. Get Your Game-Head On
Both emotionally and physically, you need to get ready to compete.
Emotionally, decide if you are 100% committed or if you will just dabble in the search part-time. If 100% committed, what amount of time will you dedicate to your job-search and what other things will you give up to gain that time in your calendar?
Many of you are currently employed, or are job-searching within your own company. So you will need to slot the time during the evenings and weekends. And those of you who are not working right now probably have obligations to family or volunteering; making time is equally challenging. Those of you who are not working and with no other time obligations should spend 20-30 hours per week, minimally.
Physically, you should be getting plenty of sleep and exercise in preparation to compete. Stand tall and sit up straight! Get your haircut, check out the clothes you have in case you get called to meet a network contact, and shine your shoes. (No, I’m not talking about your workout shoes!)
2. Build Your Job-Search Playbook
No athlete, musician, or chess player goes out without having a few strategies. In tennis, a player thinks about their serve and approach shots. In team sports, there are various plays the team can run, knowledge about the competition, and practice before the game.
Bring that back to your job search. First, “build the field.” (If you haven’t seen the movie, Field of Dreams, now is a good time to do it!) Have a 3-week plan, block the time in your calendar for specific job search activities, and build your activity tracking tools.
Then, for each position opportunity that you identify, study the company’s website, compare your background to their job description, and develop your strategy to win the job. Have answers for the most commonly asked interview questions and tailor your preparation to relevant insights for the buyer: the hiring manager.
3. Perform on Game Day
Wake up early and get all of your documents together (copies of your resume, the job description, and notes from your interview preparation). Make sure your clothes are ironed, shoes polished, and all grooming is in good order.
Then, if you are not in the lobby or parking lot of your appointment location 30 minutes prior to the start time, you are late. You can use the extra time to read over your interview notes and the job description.
Most importantly, remember one thing:
3.5. This is not about you.
It’s about the interviewer or hiring manager. Yes, it’s all about what they are looking for, what needs they have for a great new employee, and whether you will be a good fit in their organization.
So you need to listen more than you talk and ask great, insightful questions. Introduce yourself with a smile, sit up straight, and take notes. Finally, express your interest and ask how you did in the interview at the end. And never – ever – forget to write or e-mail a thank you note within 24 hours.
Be the best candidate on every level to win a job in today’s competitive era. Cut the Crap and you will get a job.
via 3.5 keys to beating the competition for that great job – The Business Journals.
3.5 keys to beating the competition for that great job
