It’s all about who you know.
Out of all my co-workers, only a handful were hired from dropping off a resume. The rest of the employees, including me, were friends or acquaintances with people who already worked there. The bosses hired their employees’ friends because they gave them great references. I was never even interviewed. I was just told to come to work one day dressed in black.
If handing in a bunch of resume to a million different places isn’t your thing, then these job-hunting strategies might be helpful for you.
1. Use your friends: If you have a buddy who has a great job that you want, let them know you want to work there. Ask them if their boss may be hiring and get information about the workplace and the people who work there. Next time they’re hiring, the boss might ask the friend for you.
2. Be the best customer: Spend time and money at the stores you want to work at. You’ll eventually get to know the people who work there and the products they sell. If they like you, you might be a front-runner.
3. Turn your talents into money: Can you speak another language? Are you good at math? Are you a good cook? Some of the simplest of skills can be turned into work. Keep your ears open and offer your talents to the people you know. Word of mouth spreads fast, and you could even have your own little business. Two Christmases ago, I asked for a DJ set. I learned how to use a basic DJ system, and before I knew it, I was DJing at my boss’s vow renewals and getting booked for Christmas parties. The best part is, you choose how much you get paid.
4. Go to events: Especially on campus. Believe it or not, a lot of professionals attend STU events, conferences and public lectures. It’s a great way to meet people, and make connections. The more people you know, the easier it is to get employed.
