Most of the time my articles are geared toward business owners and video professionals, but this one is for everyone else! Recently I’ve had several friends and family members looking for jobs, and it occurred to me that finding a job is just like running your own company – except you are the product and potential employers are your customers. So, here are a few tips to land ANY job that you set out for!

Do your homework

Most employers aren’t just looking for a warm body. They’re looking for someone that shares their company’s interests and values and can help them achieve their goals. So, before walking into someplace off the street and asking to see the manager, you should do some quick research on the company. Have they been in the news lately? Do they have any new products coming out that you’re interested in? Have they expanded to other markets or opened up new stores? When I interned at Innosight, one of the door openers was noticing a partner’s quote in a magazine that I read. At minimum, do a quick Google search to see what you’re getting into.

Window Shop

If you’re applying for a job in a place that you can get into (aka not a deep, dark corporate prison), walk into the company as a customer first. It’s much better to go undercover first so that you can get familiar with the location, see how employees act and are dressed, and understand how the place works. Asking for a job the first time you step into a place makes you look desperate, but if you’re familiar with the location and staff, you’re already ahead. Then, when you do ask for a job, start with, “I was in here last week (shopping, eating, etc), and it seemed like an awesome place to work….” Being selective is attractive.

Find the Fox

In any organization, the fox is the one who influences the decision maker. It’s not always possible to get in front of the boss, but it is usually possible to figure out who else in the company has some clout. Most people will ask the receptionist or another entry-level employee if they are hiring, but in my experience, they don’t usually know! In fact, another employee who isn’t getting enough hours may even turn you away before you have a fair shot. So skip the gatekeepers, and find the decision makers. Tip: most bosses or managers will open or close a business, and go in and out during the day. Your best chance at getting to them (in person/by phone, etc) is to find them then.

Recommendations Trump Resumes

Resumes are like the spam in my inbox. They are unsolicited, generalized, overwhelming, flowery documents that don’t usually explain who you actually are. Let’s face it, not everyone is a great writer. So, rather than pass out 1,000 resumes, figure out how you can best communicate your skills. A video? Personal recommendation? Employers want to see your value as quickly as possible, and the easiest way is for them to hear about it from someone they trust. That said, resumes, online profiles, or some list of your qualifications is important, and I’d suggest having one ready if asked. Start with a LinkedIn profile – I like looking at those much better than poorly formatted word documents. And, if you’re sending a resume electronically, my advice is to use a PDF, where there is no chance that your margins or fonts will get messed up on the other end.

Persistence Wins

In high school, I worked at Abercrombie & Fitch very briefly, because it seemed like the cool thing to do. After my interview, it took 5 phone calls and 2 visits to the store before the manager finally gave up and agreed to let me work there. The reality is that sometimes it’s easier for a boss to hire someone than to tell them no over and over again. So, without being obnoxious, the more you can follow up the better! I would guess that the majority of people stop in once, hand out their resume, and are disappointed when they never hear back. Marketing research shows that it takes an average of 7 exposures to a product before a customer will buy it, and hiring employees is no different! So stick with it.

Interview the Boss

This is a little trick that I’m convinced works if you do it right. It’s a lot easier to approach an employer when you are “interested” or “researching” or “studying” than it is when you are just looking for a paycheck. So, ask if you can interview the boss about the industry, how they got where they are, and where they see the company going. You respect them immensely, appreciate their time, and think their advice and mentoring will help to advance your career. Now, if you do this right, you’ll establish a nice relationship with the boss. And, come time for them to hire, you might be the first name that comes to mind.

Try Before you Buy

This is last-case scenario, of course. But, if its really the job that you want, and you’d do anything to have it, then how about some free labor?! Everyone loves a good intern, and if you can provide some value to them in any way possible, it’s a great way to get in the door and prove yourself. Be sure to say up front that you’d like a job, and clearly define the term of the free labor so that you don’t get stuck in a long-term volunteer position.

VALUE

Remember, everyone has value. They either have money, skills that they can turn into money, or time that they can spend developing skills. Use the resources around you (friends, family, schools, public services), and communicate your value to get any job that you want!

I hope these tips have been helpful, and if there is any way I can elaborate, feel free to comment here or reach out to me.