Stuck at the Gate? Six Standards for Corporate Success
1. Target the Right Companies
The first step to corporate success is targeting the right companies during your job search. Don’t apply at companies just because you need a job. Apply only at companies that you feel a real passion about. If you have passion for the company and the industry, half your battle to get hired is already won.
2. Blow Them Away with Your Resume
Unfortunately, in many cases the only way to get your foot in the door is to impress them with your resume. Hopefully this means you have significant experience in the field you are applying for, or one closely related. Beyond this, you can work with experts on resume creation to make sure yours fits within the expected forms and gives the best information for your talents and work history.
3. Dress for Success
Before you head to an interview, understand the status of the position you are applying for, and the standards of dress in that industry. Certain companies and industries are more lax in their dress standards, in which case you may not be best served to show up in a three-piece suit. Others, though, especially in the corporate world, expect a high level of dress in the interview. If you’re not sure, ask HR before you walk in the door. The general rule is to dress one step up from what you will wear on a daily basis at the job. Beyond clothing, be aware of your hygiene. Products from The Art of Shaving are a great way to maintain professional hygiene.
4. Sell Yourself
Once you get an interview, the burden of proof rests on you. You must show them why you are the right man for the job. Most prospective employers will ask you to tell them a little about yourself. Use that time to showcase your talents and fit. Before the interview, create and rehearse a “sixty-second commercial,” where you briefly discuss your qualifications, personality, and potential fit within the company. By nailing this rehearsed segment, you show your employers that are confident, prepared, and know how you would work in the company.
5. Come with Questions
However, the interview is not just about selling yourself. You also must sell the interviewer on your passion for the company. Take the time to know everything you can about the company before you walk in the door. This preparation will make it easy to think of thoughtful questions that will show you are genuinely interested in the inner workings of the company.
6. Send a Thank You Note
As soon as you leave the interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Something as simple as this shows a level of desire and commitment that could set you apart from the likely dozens of other potential employees.
Follow these six tips, and you will increase your odds to break through in the corporate world. Still, you must stay passionate and persistent. To succeed, you must maintain your commitment to landing the ideal job despite the difficulties.
