Finding a job? What's the first thing you should do?

Freshly graduated and searching for a job? Wanting to change the environment of your job?

Believe or not, in the midst of job offers available on websites like Linkedin, Jobstreet, myStarJob, mauKerja, JobsMalaysia and the list goes on... There are not much of ideal jobs available that could offer the fresh graduate a decent remuneration while being fresh, limited experience, limited capability and so forth. So here comes the question:

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET A GREAT OFFER?

But before getting into that, for the fresh graduates that had yet to earn any experience to lay for a job. What is the usual first step in the process of applying for jobs?

Most often, we will start with building up our resume and curriculum vitae. However, this is the easiest and most basic part of the process. Everyone can produce a resume and how can you stand out and earn your place in the competitive market?

What if, our usual mindset had fooled us on strategizing how to approach a job? Usually, we think from our own perspective on how to impress the potential employers by showing how much had we achieved and how good we are in something. Why not we think from the other way round?

WHAT ARE THE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR? WHAT IS THEIR DEMAND? WHAT ARE THEIR CURRENT PROBLEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE SOLVED?

Maybe by answering those questions, we may find ourselves in a better position to suit the available vacancy in the company. Furthermore, if the employer sees the potential in you and believes in your proposition, they might even create a position that specifically fit you into the company.

Now let us stand at another perspective and start thinking again:

IF YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE PERSON WHO IS THE MOST SUITABLE FOR THE CRUCIAL ROLES IN YOUR COMPANY?

The minimal risk for the employer is to choose within the internal circle of the company whereby there is surely some well-performed employee that are ready to take on more responsibility. (Opportunity: Know your managers and directors and interact more with them)
The next resolution will be considering those the employer had been working together with (may not be colleagues). In this case, the employer may experience the person capability and charisma during their collaboration thus forming a mutual feeling along the way. (Opportunity: Try some part-time and freelance jobs, show your passion and professionalism in dealing with the jobs, setting good track record and gaining reputation)
After the mutual experience then comes the peer recommendation which the employer seeks the recommendation from the respective circle of friends or colleagues. Meaning to say, the employer uses the trust to grab the candidates who had mutual feelings with the friends or colleagues. (Opportunity: Get the job through recommendation from friends who are working in your desirable company, which makes your value proposition more trustworthy)
The last resolution will be HR Hunting which the talent search will be tasked to the human resource unit to engage with the large uncertain pool of talents. It will be higher risk than any of the above and takes a longer time to find the right candidate. (Opportunity: Pray for the best)
In a logical sense, the employer will start with the closest circle of friends and colleagues to start with the candidate choosing rather than put it out for any random person. This will save him effort, time and most importantly, risk.

I always believe that all companies are value-seekers that optimize the yield and gain profits along the process. As long as I am able to provide any added value along the chain of the process, it means I am invaluable to the company. In return, there will be more chips on the table for bargaining.

However, there is limited opportunity for us to start with the inner circle of the desirable employers. So these are some strategies that we can adopt and practice:

4 Strategies for Job Seekers:

1 - Walking the right path.
The path does not necessary means that will be the only road for you. It will be an accumulation of try and error experience that will bring growth to the path taken. As long as the vision and purpose are clear, then whichever path that leads the way, is the right path.

2 - Write and constantly update personal resume.
Constantly update your resume (like updating your Linkedin profile) so that people can keep track on your current whereabouts and working status. Keep sharing about thoughts, works, writings on the niche areas that you are passionate about.

3 - Keep a good working ethics on anything you do.
Try to be professional on all the tasks you have and take another step ahead to think about the value of such tasks (to yourself, as well as to the client or company). No matter how shit is the job, once you accepted it, try your best to finish it with elegance.

4 - Be truthful to yourself.
If you don't like it, then don't do it. Being truthful and real is more long lasting than putting up mask and act. Imagine that you have to face the similar situation over and over again in your career path, so rather than making yourself miserable, why not choose the path that you can have less stress and be yourself when working? That will eventually become your personal brand on how you deal and work with people too!

Finding a job may be seemed easy to someone but it may be also as hard as walking over the fire. However, when the time is right, I believe the opportunity will definitely prevail and that's when we will shout out:

I GOT IT!!

Credits to Gu Dian (古典) in the learning platform of Luojisiwei (罗辑思维) who wrote about the article regarding self-betterment to get a better job. Personally, I do find building my own personal brand is much more rewarding and brings more value.

In the pursuance of self-betterment, there are always questions and issues arise that awaits for a solution. These had made my journey interesting and motivated me to continuously improve myself as well as make sharing to benefit the people around. I will continuously write about issues and ideas that I come across in articles, books, and conversations. Anyone feel free to drop me a message or email me topics that you would like to discuss. I will gladly start a discussion and brainstorm about the pertaining topic.

Original post from: https://www.linkedin.com/post/edit/6263316544835674112