If you want a better job, then there’s something important you need to know:
How much you get paid, the degree of flexibility and power you have at your next job, and even how your new co-workers see you and welcome you into their culture all starts NOW...
… Well before anyone at the company even has a chance to interview you.
RELATED: 3 Clues That Will Help You Find Your Dream Job
We all know that in every profession, people get paid a range different salaries and benefits based on their “perceived value.”
(That’s how valuable the company thinks you are based on multiple factors.)
And if you want to be as high on that scale as possible, then the first impression that anyone at your future employer’s company is critical.
In Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Malcolm Gladwell shows how we all “thin-slice” whenever we meet a new person and make snap judgements in the first two seconds that impact our perception of them moving forward.
Knowing this, it’s possible for you to ensure that they see you as highly valuable right from the start - giving yourself the highest odds of getting the best job possible.
It all starts with…
3 Steps To Magnetic Positioning To Get Your Dream Job
Step 1: Understand The Magic Formula
I recently wrote another article explaining the “Total Perceived Value” formula in detail - which I suggest reading as a complement to this piece. I learned this formula from a brilliant marketer named Frank Kern, and modified it so it fits you in getting a better job.
So Step one is understanding that the easiest way to create “Magnetic Positioning” and increase your perceived value is by boosting what’s called your “Intrinsic Value.”
This is the unseen value created by proper positioning. It’s what makes people pay 3x the amount for a Rolls Royce Ghost as compared to a high end BMW… even though they’re very similar cars and owned by the same company.
And it’s different than Practical Value - which is basically that the car gets you from A to B… Intrinsic Value is that it’s positioned as the best of the best. If you drive a Rolls, then you’re a success, and you gain additional status.
And this same rule applies to you when you get your next job.
Step 2: Define YOUR Magnetic Positioning
The next step is for you to define how you want to magnetically position yourself and then plug that into this formula:
Your name is known as the most sought after magic power in the marketplace. He is famous for application of magic power applied to what you stand for without what you stand against.
So here’s an example using me:
Ryan Niessen is known as the most sought after purpose-driven career expert in the job-seeking space. He is famous for inspiring people and helping them to find and get jobs they LOVE that make a positive difference in the world... so that they don’t lay on their deathbed wondering why they traded their soul for a paycheck.
Now it’s your turn. Take a few minutes to work out a Magnetic Positioning statement that gets you excited and fired up. When I read mine, I KNOW why I’m doing what I’m doing… and why it matters.
Step 3: Make Everything An Employer Might See Reflect Your Magnetic Positioning
Lastly, you want to make sure that anything anyone who might hire you positions you this way BEFORE they ever come into contact with you.
That means LinkedIn. Facebook. Your personal website. YouTube.
If a friend is referring you, make sure they have do so in a way that honors this statement.
And then, of course, use it in your resume when you do apply to new jobs.
Used properly, this has the power to significantly boost your Perceived Value, and help you get your dream job.
That’s all I can fit into this article, however, there’s more high-value info on finding the best companies to work for, getting their attention, and landing the job in this free video here.
Cheers to becoming “Magnetic.”
This post was originally published at an earlier date.Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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.