Six Tips That Will Get You A Better Job

In a recent article by EmploymentDigest.net, the author gave 6 tips that will get you a better job. These include: converting things you love into a career, having people refer you, improving your resume, improving your skills, getting certified, and looking for more possibilities.

I agree that these things are important.  In fact I included these tips and more in my book How to Reinvent Your Career: Make More Money Doing What You Love.  If you are considering changing careers, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to let opportunities to meet people pass you by.  I would like to add 6 more tips to the list he suggested. Here are some things to consider when you are out and about:

1. Talk to people you would normally not talk to at stores and while you wait in lines to buy things.  Avoid the creepy or scary people of course.  But choose those that look like they may have something in common with you or are dressed in garb that you would like to wear for the type of job interest you have in mind.  By talking to people, you open up the opportunity to exchange information and expand your connections.
2. Always have a supply of your business cards with you.  If you don’t work for a company, print up some simple contact information cards with your email, phone and any website or social networking information that you would like to share.
3. Have an unusual way of being remembered.  I used to print my business card on stickers and attach them to the top of an Altoids box of mints.  I would give those away to customers that I wanted to have them remember me.  Think of little things you can do to be remembered in people’s minds and present them to people you meet that you would like to work for or do business with in the future.
4. Do something for someone else.  If you help people, they will want to help you.  If there is an industry you want to be in, find someone in it to help.  I know a lot of people want to be pharmaceutical representatives, for example.  If they submit your resume, they get paid a finder’s fee.  Find out what is in it “for them” to have someone refer you.
5. Remove any damaging information from the Internet that could hurt your chances of being hired.  Remember that fun weekend you posted on Facebook?  So will the person interviewing you if it is available out there.
6. If you get an interview with someone that you can research online, do your homework.  Find out all you can about them that is complimentary or interesting.  People like to talk about themselves.  It also shows you cared enough to find out more about them or their company.