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Bungleau · 04-19-2007, 08:47 AM

Getting that first job is always a challenge [img]smile.gif[/img]

Some things to consider...

What do you want to do? Be in sales, marketing, accounting, operations, IT, management... what? Without that, you're falling into the "please hire me...please!" group, where you get to end up in whatever job no one else wants.
Once you've figured that out, take a look at what makes people in that line of work valuable. Hit the library for training tapes and CDs about whatever the subject is. For sales, there are lots of motivation and technique offerings. For management, leadership and execution topics. For accounting, rules, regulations, and interpretations of how they apply in today's business.
Ask people in that line of work what they would like to see in someone coming in to fill that role. Let them tell you what's important, and then go learn about it and do it.
Find organizations related to that role and get involved. And I don't mean just attend meetings. Get involved... help out with events, develop some knowledge and share it... Only one of my professional jobs came from something other than networking, and I got that one because they checked their own network, found people who knew me (aka my network), and decided it would be worth it.
Treat finding a job like a job itself. Schedule your time to research companies you'd like to work for, people you'd like to work for, and places you'd like to work.
Figure out why they should hire you. "Mr Jones, in my years at Uni I was responsible for managing the finances for my fraternity. Through my management, we successfully eliminated $2,000 in unnecessary expenses while still meeting and even exceeding the expectations of all our members. I'd like the opportunity to put that fiscal responsibility to work for you, and can start as early as Monday, if that would work for you."

If all you're doing is asking for a job, you might as well go to McDonald's. If you're going to offer them a service based on what you can provide, and if that service meets a need that they have, you can get a career. Which is a hell of a lot better than a job any day.

Good luck!

04-19-2007, 08:47 AM	#6
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Getting that first job is always a challenge [img]smile.gif[/img] Some things to consider... What do you want to do? Be in sales, marketing, accounting, operations, IT, management... what? Without that, you're falling into the "please hire me...please!" group, where you get to end up in whatever job no one else wants. Once you've figured that out, take a look at what makes people in that line of work valuable. Hit the library for training tapes and CDs about whatever the subject is. For sales, there are lots of motivation and technique offerings. For management, leadership and execution topics. For accounting, rules, regulations, and interpretations of how they apply in today's business. Ask people in that line of work what they would like to see in someone coming in to fill that role. Let them tell you what's important, and then go learn about it and do it. Find organizations related to that role and get involved. And I don't mean just attend meetings. Get involved... help out with events, develop some knowledge and share it... Only one of my professional jobs came from something other than networking, and I got that one because they checked their own network, found people who knew me (aka my network), and decided it would be worth it. Treat finding a job like a job itself. Schedule your time to research companies you'd like to work for, people you'd like to work for, and places you'd like to work. Figure out why they should hire you. "Mr Jones, in my years at Uni I was responsible for managing the finances for my fraternity. Through my management, we successfully eliminated $2,000 in unnecessary expenses while still meeting and even exceeding the expectations of all our members. I'd like the opportunity to put that fiscal responsibility to work for you, and can start as early as Monday, if that would work for you." If all you're doing is asking for a job, you might as well go to McDonald's. If you're going to offer them a service based on what you can provide, and if that service meets a need that they have, you can get a career. Which is a hell of a lot better than a job any day. Good luck! __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.