Step Your Job Game Up!!!

Like pops from Friday said, “the word for today is job, son. J.O.B.” So like Craig you got fired on your day off for stealing boxes and now you need to hit the ground running searching for jobs. Here are a few tips.

Looking For A Job 101
When on a job hunt, make sure you make a few adjustments to your lifestyle.
*Take off your ringback and crazy voicemail. Keep it simple and traditional. Some employers will not even leave a message if the ringback is inappropriate. Or they’ll view it as a useless expense. You’re looking for a job, but you’re paying for a ringback that just came out last week?? Not a good look.
*Like Juvenile said, “Keep ya Body Clean, ha”. Most jobs drug test. Break the habbit!! Also, when speaking to an employer, before hanging up the phone, don’t let your final question be, “Does your company drug test”? You may not get a call for interview after that response.
*No vocal mean muggin’. If you are job seeking and see an unrecognizable number on you caller ID, it is probably an employer. Try to answer in a pleasant tone. When the employer asks, “Is Mr./Ms. Job Hunter in?’, please don’t respond, “yeah, who dis?” You just may receive a dial tone and no job.
Resume
So you don’t like to brag? So you don’t want to seem like you are better than others? When it comes to your resume, forget about the two statements listed above. Your resume is your time to shine, brag, gloat AND be truthful. Don’t go making stuff up because some companies do use a thorough background check. Wouldn’t want to get busted out after you’ve received the job. Not sexy.

*You always need a resume. Even if you are a student who has never worked, you still need a resume. Don’t walk into an institution “looking for a job” but when you are asked for you resume you can’t present one. Not a good look.
*Make sure you do not have any typos
*If room allows, create a section for awards and achievements
*To increase space, don’t list your address. Phone number and email address is all that is needed, and you can type that on one line below your name.
*Okay, sometimes we don’t write our own resumes. If this is the case, make sure YOU are able to articulate what is on that paper in an interview
*Print it out on resume paper

References
Your references solidify you. It is the icing on the cake. If asked for personal references, I recommend listing business references. The reason for this is because they will more than likely give the employer an idea what you are like as an employee or co-worker as opposed to a homeboy, daughter, or son. Some personal references may leave a bad impression. Does an employer really want to get information from someone with a “Put It In Your Mouth” ringback? Not a good look.

*Make sure your references know that you are using them as such
*Make sure it is someone who can say nothing but good things about you! This is why you never talk bad about a company once you leave. Always leave on good terms.
*Triple check the phone numbers before listed. Sometimes if they are old, they are probably disconnected. Employers do not want to play inspector gadget.
*When the phone number of your former employer is requested, don’t list the cell phone number of your favorite manager. An employer does not want to believe they are calling a business and someone answers, “hello”. Employers do not want to have a wild goose chase searching your employment history. Just give them the corporate number. Most companies use 3rd party vendors that only verify the dates employed and title anyway.

Interview
*Arrive 15 minutes early
*Dress professionally. No jeans, no sneakers, no hats, no complete bottles of cologne or perfume on your body, and no sandals, no gum, no visible tattoos. Make sure your clothes are clean and IRONED! Don’t wear anything you would wear to the gym, or the beach.
*Tell your ride to stay in the car
*Bring more than one resume, even if you have already submitted it previously in the application online. Sometimes, more than one person will facilitate the interview.
*If the interviewer is not ready and you are in the lobby, LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE ALONE! Or better yet, JUST LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN THE CAR. There should be no need to text or talk during an interview, all your references should be listed on some material in your nice binder. There is nothing worse than an interviewer coming to shake your hand and you are on the phone. Not sexy.


I hope all this helps you Craigs out there!!!