Much like the Hunger Games, corporate America is a dog-eat-dog world. so you must prove your merit in order to get ahead. Without a lot of job experience, demonstrating your value to a company can prove difficult. If you’re new to the world of business, here are some tips on how to get started.
Network, Network, Network
Whether you’re pursuing a lifeguard job for summer break, a warehouse job once out of high school, or your first job out of college, networking is the backbone of good business. According to Payscale.com between 70 and 85 percent of all jobs are found through networking.
Not only does networking help cultivate social skills, but it helps you get your foot in the proverbial door as well. Search online for events happening in your area. You’re bound to meet an assortment of like-minded individuals who match your enthusiasm. After all, it’s not what you know but rather who you know that’ll take you far in business.
Volunteer
Volunteer work enhances any resume. Though you won’t be making any money, volunteering is a fantastic way to forge relationships and build connections. In essence, volunteering doubles as a networking opportunity. Networking connects you with similarly minded people, who will have the opportunity to see how you work and how you react under stress. If they find you hard working and even-tempered that can serve as an excellent recommendation for your work ethic. Participating in these philanthropic efforts is both noble and conducive to entrepreneurial growth. Again, a simple online search will tell you what’s available in your community.
Reach Out
Never underestimate the power of communication. Businesses are always looking for hard-working, dedicated employees. One under-used method to connect with hiring managers is through Linked-in. If you hear about a job, rather than simply clicking a link to submit your resume at your favorite job portal you should do a little extra work and track down the hiring manager for that position and then contact him or her on linked-in. Once you have made a personal connection, you can forward them your resume. That way, rather than being buried in a pile of competition, your resume will be front and center. This should get you a little better consideration since you took that extra bit of initiative.
Follow Up
One of the key characteristics of a good salesperson is having a tough skin. And job hunting is simply a process of selling your most important commodity i.e. yourself. If you don’t hear back from a company, don’t despair. Following up will demonstrate how keen you are to contribute to their operations. The worst they can say is no, and you were likely already preparing for that. It’s always a good idea to send a follow-up email regarding your pending application.
Though you may feel like your inexperience has rendered you unemployable, someone will eventually bite at your offers. The above tips serve to bolster your confidence when your hopes have been dashed once again. With time, you’ll acquire enough experience and land the job opportunity you deserve.
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