Get Specific To Get Hired Faster

Why do job seekers say "I want a job," and then fail to get more specific than that? If you want to find the right job, you must first answer three questions in specific detail.

By Kevin Donlin, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: December 4, 2007 - 3:05 PM

If you walk into a car dealer and announce, "I want a car," what kind of reply will you get?

The sales rep will say, "Sure. What are you looking for?" Then he'll ask for more details -- the make, model, color, price you're willing to pay, etc.

It's never enough to say, "I want a car." You have to be specific. Otherwise, nobody can help you.

Why, then, do so many people say, "I want a job," and then fail to get more specific than that? Is it any wonder that so many job searches sputter and lurch along, like a '67 Chevy in need of a tune-up?

But this is not for you.

If you want to find the right job, you must first answer three questions in specific detail. Here they are ...

1) What job do you want, specifically? If you know the exact title of the position you seek and the company you want to work for, congratulations. You're in a distinct minority.

If not, you need to get clear on this right now. Try the following ...

Job title: If you don't know what job you're looking for, how will you know when you've found it? To help you get specific, go to Monster.com, type in your favorite skills and see what jobs come up.

Example: Searching Monster.com for the terms "customer service management" brings up the following job titles:

* Customer Service Manager * Inside Sales * Manager of Store Support * Field Account Manager

Don't like what you see? Search for other skills until you find job titles that excite you. Then, go after those jobs!

Company name: Most people put more thought into choosing a car than choosing an employer. Prove this for yourself -- name five cars you've always wanted to own. Now, name five companies you've always wanted to work for.

Tough, isn't it?

So, starting today, jot down the names of companies you admire and want to join. They can be mom-and-pop operations, or Microsoft. There's no wrong answer.

The only mistake you can make is in taking the first job from the first company that comes along, without first determining whether or not this is an employer you want to devote 40 precious hours of your life to every week.

2) How are you going to find that job, specifically? You could search the Internet or the newspaper want ads for jobs. But, could there be a better way for you, specifically?

To find out, you have to ask.

Ask your spouse or significant other, friends, family, neighbors -- ask everybody. Call and ask them the following question: "How did you find your last job?"

This exercise will kill two birds with one phone call:

1. You will learn new, creative ways to get hired. Examples: "I called my last boss for advice and he offered me a job instead," or "I was helping my neighbor install a lawn sprinkler when his brother drove up, we started talking, and it turned out his company was hiring." (Both of which happened to clients of mine, by the way.)

2. You will be networking effortlessly. Simply end each conversation by saying, "Well, I'm looking for a position as a plant manager for a Fortune 1000 firm, like 3M. Who do you know that I should be talking to?" Then, jot down whatever names you get and call those people. Presto! Instant job leads.

3) What value do you bring to the job, specifically? To get employer excited about you, you must first get excited about yourself.

And this starts with a clear knowledge of your value as an employee. Specifically, how much money have you earned or saved on the job before?

Even if you weren't in sales or marketing roles, what happened when you did your job well? How did it make other employees more profitable? The numbers, dollars, facts and figures are there in your work history. All you have to do is hunt for them.

When you know exactly how much value you have produced before -- and can produce again -- it will help you write better resumes and cover letters. And it will give you the confidence to shine in your next job interview, like polished chrome.

Go. Do it. Now!

Kevin Donlin owns Minnesota based Guaranteed Resumes and writes a biweekly column providing job search and resume writing advice. Reach him at the Guaranteed Resumes website: http://www.gresumes.com.

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