How To Get the Job You Want

The Coast Guard has taught me many things that relate to searching for the perfect job you want. It has taught me determination, true grit, to never give up, always be humble, and failure is not an option.

Through my many tours of New Jersey, Philadelphia, Petaluma, California, Charlotte, Wilmington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta and many places in between (and don't forget Tampa) I have learned that if you want the job that you want there are a couple obstacles you will have to overcome and barriers that you will have to knock down. I will give you a couple of pointers that have worked for me and will work for anyone.

Answer these questions and you are on your way:

1. What job do you want?

2. Why do you want the job?

3. Have you researched the company?

4. After you researched, are you comfortable with the culture that is in place with the company right now? (that is really important)

5. Do you know what position you are applying for?

6. Do you know WHO will be assessing your applications?

7. Do you know who will be giving you your initial interview?

8. Who will be conducting a final evaluation on your resume and making the decisions to hire you?

9.  Now, if you know who is making the decisions, have you researched certain things that are important to that culture and the decisions maker?

For example: If the Vice President is making the decisions about hiring you, and you've read in the paper that he is in the middle of a merger with another company, it would be to your advantage to have all that information and more before you both meet. Just a suggestion. 10. Does my dress apparel fit with what the corporate standards are and do you have to speek formal or is it a little unformal?  All of those questions are out of the way.

Now, it is time to write a plan for your week of success. It is never a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket and by that I mean never put all of your energy into one job, because you may not get that job. That is not to say that you were not qualified, but sometimes other variables come into play. Your resume should be attractive to the decisions-maker. If you have answered the question above then you know a little about what the company culture is and how you can highlight those attributes on your resume.

Once you compose a great resume give it something , something small, that no one else has. Elle in "Legally Blonde," used pink and scented paper. I am not suggesting you use that by any means! I am suggesting just something small and professional that will stand out. You have your resume, you have dressed up for success, you have done your research on the companies that attract you for employment.

Now, Hustle and Humble come into play. Remember, try always be humble to whomever you speak to , because at the end of the day you do not know if you are talking to a dishwasher or the president of the company. When you are in Hustle and Humble mode, you hustle to get what you want and your humble to anyone that is in your pathway to success. First things first, write down the major 3 companies you would like to work for. Put each company on 3 separate pages. Write important information that you need to know on all of them and notes that will help you when you get to there company and introduce yourself. Second thing, you will be mapping out where you can attain contact or a meeting with the decisions maker. When you send your resume you will wait a week, and then you will dress your best because you are going to introduce yourself in person. Introductions are so important.

Remember , if you have done you research and have called to make sure that the important people are in you will know when a good time is to see if the secretary can squeeze in 5 minutes of his or her time. It has never hurt ever if you look your best and you have a nice handshake introduction in a hallway. He or She will remember you the whole walk down the hall and at least remember your name. This is what you want even if they are minute encounters, you want to make sure every-time you are seen in that company your at your best!

Sometimes, getting the job that you want takes time, but if this is something you really want, you will have to be patient and even if you take a lower position in that company, if you want it that bad, the job will always come to you. It is in your hands. You can follow these simple steps of improvement and I ensure you that you will build your confidence and you most certainly land one of the 3!