I put up with too many things that no employee should have to put up with...
And as a result, I wound up disengaged, unhappy, and resentful.
Now, those feelings were completely justified, yet the simple truth is that living like that is NOT a fun (or constructive) place to be.
Feeling sorry for myself didn't make me feel better. It didn't help my work situation. And it certainly didn't improve my career and help me grow.
Yet, as a result of some early experiences, I've since figured out (and now show others) how to find and get a meaningful job you LOVE with an inspiring company that appreciates you.
See, the key to opening unlimited opportunities for yourself and escaping your crappy job is this simple truth:
You've got to position yourself as both rare and in demand. Think about the commonalities between professional athletes, celebrities, and movie stars.
They're all rare - there's only one of each of them. And they're all in demand - they provide a unique skill set that no one else can.
You can position yourself this way too so that you have your pick of amazing job opportunities. Here's how:
3 Unusually Effective Ways To Find And Get A Job You Love
Tip #1: Seek Out Companies That Inspire You
Naturally, if you're going to get a job that you love, a great place to start is to find an organization that inspires you.
So, it's time to put on your research hat and have some fun… starting with your values.
Think about what you value most in life. Do you want to have freedom and flexibility in your work… so much so that you can work from a beach on flexi-hours?
Or maybe you want to be able to walk to your office and spend time with quality people you cherish?
Perhaps there's a certain problem in the world that's always bugged you, and a couple of companies are doing an excellent job of solving that problem.
Whatever it is that's most important to YOU, find a company whose values match your own, and then find a way to get their attention and get the job (which I'll show you how to do in a second).
To start with, you can check out this resource guide with 14 top-of-the-line websites containing thousands of exciting opportunities with inspiring, “For-Benefit" companies (which means they focus on making a profit AND a difference in the world.)
Tip #2: Create An “Ultimate Resume"
Here's the thing: Only 1% of traditional resumes actually lead to a job offer.
And if you're applying for one of the “For-Benefit" companies listed in the resource guide above, it'll likely be even lower.
See, just like you want to find a company that fits your lifestyle…
The best companies to work for want to hire people who fit their values, believe in their mission, and WANT to work with them.
The good news?
It's actually quite easy to get their attention and get the job… if you know what to do.
That's why I put together a brief resource guide sharing 7 Online Tools That Trump Your Traditional Resume.
It'll help you use easy, cheap, and reliable tools to position yourself as rare and in demand so you can get the job you WANT.
Tip #3: Use Modern Job Seeking Strategies
The world is changing, and standing out from the ever-increasing competition is a challenge (if you don't know what to do).
Because the truth is, people are bored of the same old job seeking approaches. They want fresh, real, and authentic job applications from people who genuinely care about what they're doing.
So rather than submit 100 copies of the same resume to 100 companies you don't care about…
Find the two or three that you would do ANYTHING to work for. And then go above and beyond to get their attention - while focusing on showcasing what makes you valuable to them.
I've seen people put together amazing YouTube cover letters, send amazing packages - Fedexed to the HR manager, and even heard of someone sending a hot air balloon to Richard Branson with a proposal inside.
By using some courage, creativity, and passion, you're positioning yourself as both rare and in demand (because you can bet that no one else will think to do this!)
If you want more ideas, there's a free video here with three great modern job seeking tips (as well as a funny story about how I got my dream job years ago).
Enjoy!
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world's best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
Finding a job after college can be tough! There's stiff competition, and sometimes students are at the mercy of the economy that they graduate into. Many college grads often take minimum wage jobs or jobs that they're overqualified for in order to make ends meet.
The key to landing a job out of college is preparing for the job search process while still in school. Unfortunately, they don't always teach you about the job search process in school, so it's up to students to take responsibility for their future careers.
Here are some tips to put yourself in a position to land a job after college.
Be Thoughtful About Your Career Path
Do you know what the career options are for your degree? How competitive the industry is? What the average salary is for the type of role you're pursuing?
These are not questions you should be seeking to answer after graduation. These are all questions that should've been asked prior to declaring a major.
Research...research...research!
Knowing what you might be in for after graduation can help you with planning. You could meet with your advisor well in advance of graduation and look at potential internships and identify potential companies to work for, giving you a head start on your networking efforts.
If you failed to prepare like this prior to graduation, you did put yourself at an initial disadvantage, but you're certainly not doomed!
What If You're Unsure About Your Career Path?
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Even after college, some people are unsure about what they want to do for a career. If you find yourself in this situation, don't panic. You need to do an honest assessment of yourself and determine the valuable skills that you possess. Most importantly, ask yourself, "What are some of the things I love doing?"
Work It Daily also has resources that can assist you in your search. Our FREE Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine your professional persona. Knowing your professional persona will help you understand the skills you have that bring value to the job and what you find professionally and personally fulfilling.
In addition, whether you're a graduate or still a student, don't limit your opportunities to learn new skills.
Chances are you have interests outside of your course of study. You should be open to pursuing those interests. It could be that you're a health/science major with an interest in computers. Why not take some computer courses?
Interested in learning a trade? Electricians, plumbers, contractors, and auto mechanics are all in demand.
If you're still in school, you have an opportunity to take additional courses or decide on a double major or minor.
Options may be a bit more limited for recent grads, but there are always online courses, certification programs, or specialty course programs available. As long as you have a hunger for more knowledge, you should never stop wanting to learn. The more skills you have, the more career options are available to you. Options are important during the job search for recent grads.
Educate Yourself About The Job Search Process
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College can't prepare you for everything, and most of the lessons people learn from the job search process come from real-world experience. However, there are some things you can do to prepare.
First, research as many potential jobs as you can before graduation and identify some potential companies that you would like to work for (this is called your interview bucket list). Second, prepare multiple resumes tailored for the specific positions for which you're applying.
A recruiter needs to see the skills you have that apply to the position within the first six seconds of reading your resume. You should also prepare a disruptive cover letter where you really bring attention to yourself by telling a story about how you connect with the company.
The last thing you need to do is reach out and network. It's not enough to just send in a resume and cover letter and hope that you'll be contacted. Reach out to people who work at the company through LinkedIn and introduce yourself. Use the fact that you're a graduating student seeking knowledge to your advantage. There are professionals who enjoy the opportunity to mentor.
Even if these new connections don't translate into an immediate job, you've made your first professional contacts which could come in handy at some other point in time. Knowing how to conduct a proactive job search will serve you well throughout your professional life.
Remember, There's Nothing Wrong With Changing Career Paths
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Sometimes you find happiness and success in a career field that you didn't go to school for. That's okay (and normal). Life happens!
For new grads, the goal is usually to find work in your field of study and it's great when things work out that way. But as the job search process goes on you may fall into a job that you weren't planning to and end up liking it. If the job makes you happy and there's room for growth, there's nothing wrong with keeping it. It's a personal decision.
This will be true throughout your professional life. You may end up working in your field, but, as time goes on, priorities and life circumstances change. You may develop new skills that draw you into a new career direction. The goal is to always put yourself in a position to succeed and sometimes that means making a change.
Preparation and keeping an open mind are the two common themes when it comes to the job search for recent grads. There are no guarantees for new graduates, so you have to be ready for anything. Hopefully, by knowing what to expect, you'll know how to land a job after college and can land a job that matches your talents.
Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you're struggling to find a job that's right for you, we can help.
We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.
It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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