By Pri Notowidigdo
Have you been job-hunting but are not getting any results? Are you starting to feel frustrated and a bit panicky? Are you starting to doubt the value of your network? If so, maybe it’s time to take a deep breath, step back, and think more strategically.
Begin by thinking about what’s important for you, what you like to do, and what you think you’re good at doing. Then make a plan and “just do it,” to borrow from Nike.
Keep in mind that your mission is to find your own job, to do it quickly and intelligently, and to make it the right job. In this regard, here are eight strategies you can apply:
-
Look for a job that suits your skills and interests. Ask yourself these questions: Do you understand what the job requires you to do? Can you do the job? Can you meet the expectations of the prospective employer? Can you bring value to the organization? Select and prepare only a job that is right for you. Decide whether you can make a good impression during the interview. Is it a job you could do better than almost anyone else? Can you prove it to the prospective employer by doing the job during the interview? Would the employer benefit if he hired you? Once you are hired and on the job, can you imagine that you will achieve your goal?
-
Apply for actual jobs. If you’ve only heard about an attractive job, remember that it may oily be a “lead.” Find out who the decision-maker is and get your information directly from the source: the manager who is doing the hiring. Relying only on sending your resumes in response to advertisements may result in no response. You will not know what’s happening and be frustrated.
-
Prepare for the interview. Read, contact people, and do research. Learn everything you can about the company, the job, and the people. Get to know the secretary. Get information about who will be meeting you. Talk to vendors. Talk to customers. Talk to competitors. Talk to other employees. Go to the interview knowing that your chances of winning an offer have been maximized ahead of time.
-
Psyche yourself up. Never go to an interview unless you’re convinced you will make the manager say “wow!” Feel good about yourself, be confident of your own skills, and be satisfied with what you have achieved in life. You may not succeed in impressing the manager, but you can prepare yourself emotionally to do just that.
-
Make sure that the prospective employer knows you can do the job. Do the job during the interview. Give examples. Express your ideas. Show you can do the job. Ask intelligent questions about the job.
-
Get immediate feedback. At the end of your meeting, be brave and politely ask the interviewer what he thinks of you, and whether he is convinced that you can do the job. Getting the employer to say that you can contribute to the business is a powerful way to make him act. If an interviewer won’t tell you when you ask, explain to him that you were glad to invest your time in this meeting to help him evaluate your ability to do the job. Now you would just like his honest opinion. If he still won’t tell you, it is likely that there is no “jodoh” or fit, and that this person is not going to hire you.
-
Show your interest in the job. Face the prospective employer and say something like: “I hope that I have convinced you that I can do this job, and do it well. I would enjoy working on your team. I want this job.” You owe it to both yourself and the employer to tell him clearly that you want the job before you leave the interview. By being the only candidate who comes out and says it, you show your passion and commitment.
-
Close the deal. If he’s ready to hire you and tells you so, don’t panic. You don’t have to sign a contract just yet. Thank him, and tell him you think your meeting was a success and that you’re excited about doing the job. Tell him that you’re looking forward to receiving a written offer that includes all the details of your employment agreement. When you receive the offer, call him and talk to him directly. If, for some reason, it turns out that this job offer is not right for you, and it cannot be negotiated into a form you want, gracefully thank the employer.
Your search has come to an end if this job offer is what you want. Congratulations! When you start your new job, apply the same concepts to doing your work that you applied toward finding it. Stop periodically and ask yourself whether you understand the job that needs to be done. Are you making a difference to the organization? Do the job, and you will find that new doors will always open to you, in your company and in others.
Most of what happens to you is the result of the choices you make. So
decide how you want the next days, or weeks, or months, or even years to
go for you. Then make the choice. Choose the best, expect the best, and
make it happen! What you choose is very likely what you’ll get.
Pri Notowidigdo
The Amrop Hever Group
Global Executive Search
Bapindo Plaza, Citibank Tower, 14/F
Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Kav 54-55
Jakarta 12190, Indonesia
E-mail: prijkt@cbn.net.id , jakarta@amrophever.com
Web-site: www.amrophever.com
