Start Working Before You Get Hired

What if there were a way to *prove* to any sane employer that you alone were the one to hire?

Would learning how to do that interest you? I thought so.

I call this the "start-working-before-you-get-hired" job-hunting method. You can learn to do it in the next two minutes. And start getting more job leads today.

Begin by understanding that getting hired for a job -- any job -- all boils down to one thing: proof. It's one thing to claim you're the one to hire. Anyone can do that. But can you prove it?

According to Nick Corcodilos, author of the best-selling "Ask The Headhunter" (www.asktheheadhunter.com), "To get a hiring manager's attention, you should become an expert in his business, understand the work he needs done, and find out how he would want you to do it. Then walk in and prove to him that you're going to make his business more successful."

Here are some examples to help you do that ...

Say you're looking for a sales job. You can research your target company and create a marketing plan, bring qualified leads to the interview, research the competition to uncover selling opportunities -- or all of the above.

How about a job as a trainer or teacher? Research and prepare a sample curriculum, then deliver a mini-lesson in the interview. (I know for a fact that this works -- I did it back in 1989 and got hired over 200+ other candidates.)

Want to be a writer or editor? Bring writing samples to the interview -- and write up a special report about your target employer based on what your research tells you.

To get hired faster, start working before you get hired. Is this starting to make sense yet?

Want a job in IT, or any other field? Research your target company's products and customers from their Web site, then write a list of possible improvements based on what you find and what you've done for other companies (or what you learned in school).

Here's an even better way to research an employer.

Network your way into the company and ask employees what they're biggest frustrations are. You will get an earful of answers. Now, do you think you MIGHT get a hiring manager's attention if you were to call and say, "I've just interviewed 5 people in your IT department and boiled their comments down to three major problems facing your company. I've solved each of these problems before. Could I buy you a cup of coffee and show you my findings tomorrow at 3:00?"

OK, you say. That's fine if I have contacts at the company I want to work for. But I don't know anyone at Company X, so that technique won't work for me, right?

Wrong. Web sites like www.LinkedIn.com let you make contact with people at almost any company, in almost any industry. And LinkedIn.com is free. So you're out of excuses for lackadaisical networking.

With the right mix of research, preparation and gumption, you will literally have no competition for the job you want. Corcodilos sums it up this way: "When you meet an employer, don't wait for anyone to prod you. Do the job -- right there in the interview."

Does this job-search method seem like a lot of work? Well, so is that job you want to get hired for.

"Why should convincing a manager to hire you be any less challenging than the job itself? It's up to you to prove your value to every employer you meet. Employers won't figure it out for themselves," says Corcodilos.

Amen to that.

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.

As a reader of this publication, you're eligible for a special offer. Get your Free Job Search Kit ($25.00 value) at the Guaranteed Resumes Web site - http://www.gresumes.com

---

Youre Bright And Talented -- TooT Your Own Horn --

Obviously, there are RIGHT ways to move UP the ladder.... Read More

Big Job Sites Vs The Small Ones

There is much to say about posting resumes on the... Read More

The 5 Ps Of A Job Search

Step One - Plan:Most people spend more time planning a... Read More

50 Things To Do To Your Boss That Are Fun For You, But Not For Them

1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations... Read More

Master Responding to Selection Criteria and Win Your Next Job!

As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen... Read More

Finding a Job Under Tough Circumstances

Anyone can find a job. That's right, I said "anyone".... Read More

Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings

Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More

Dont Quit Your Day Job! Convincing Your Boss To Let You Telecommute, Part 1 of 2

Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so... Read More

10 Tips to Help You Ace the Interview and Get the Job

The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More

Chicken Soup for Job Seekers

Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More

Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not,... Read More

Interview Skills That Attract Offers

An interviewer's mission is to assess your qualifications compared to... Read More

The 10 Second Window of Opportunity, Resume Hour Glass

Do you know that a hiring manager just spends 10... Read More

Hey, You Cant Ask Me That! (How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions)

I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More

Networking is the Key to Star Performance in Everything You Do.

Many people's idea of networking relates to the 'size of... Read More

Is Your Resume Doing ITS Job?

Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel... Read More

Retiring in Paradise

I have to admit that I'm starting to slow down... Read More

Tips To Survive A Layoff

The following eight tips will help make sure that recover... Read More

Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head

A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More

Yes, Ive Had Gaps In My Employment History--What To Do About It?

Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment History--What Can I... Read More

Considering a Career Change?

Are you thinking about a career change? Many people do... Read More

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More

How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win

As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More

In a Rut? Ready for a Career Change?

Are you unhappy at work? Tired and lacking energy and... Read More

Work Is A Four-Letter Word

I can hear the jokes already and most of them... Read More