Whether you’re job searching or just trying to keep your current job, there are few things every professional should know when they network. Don’t be lazy – Are you doing all that you can to be successful?
On the road, your expertise is far from being enough. For everybody on the road, “It’s not about your making a mistake; it’s about someone else making one for you.” Job hunting is that kind of economy. Some thoughts…
Stop being beige
There’s no use sitting back in the corner, wearing beige, and leaning up against a beige wall, hoping no one will get around to firing you. That’s not how it works. Every manager has a list and is looking to cross off names – the closer to invisible you are around the workplace, the easier it is to make you disappear from the payroll.
Work one degree from the profits
Remember that thing about “six degrees of separation”? Well, in corporate life, you want to think about degrees of separation from profits. If your work generates revenues that result in profits, odds are you’re going to be fine. Then, one degree of separation out, if you’re one of the people that profit-producers say they couldn’t live without, you might be OK.
But if you work for somebody who works for somebody who works with somebody who generates profits… well, get yourself a reserved parking spot at the best Business Center around you because you’re going to be printing out a lot of resumes. (Emergency escape route: If you are known for figuring out how to cut costs, rather than merely being a cost, then you’ve moved within one degree of separation.) Do you know how you can help your employer make money or save money or grow business?
Don’t put your head in the guillotine and wonder how it works
There are still plenty of companies that are thriving, and you need to be in one… fast. Don’t put ypurself in this situation: A guy was working for a family business that’s losing over N15m a month. So he was asked, “How’s the job hunting going?” He replied, “I’m waiting to see how things play out.” Well, a week later he called to say he’d been laid-off – that’s how things played, OUT. In other words, he’d let himself become a hardworking slacker – a job search slacker.
If he asked you for opening jobs, won’t you think, could I recommend a guy who dumb enough to lay his head in the guillotine and wonder how it worked? …..toss off the old “dirty ear” ( Just say, “I’ll keep my ear to the ground.”
Be a bargain
Dare to be a lousy negotiator. This same guy had always bragged about how he got paid more than he was worth. Well, those people who most skillfully squeezed their employers are the first ones cut – you got two people doing the same job and you’re paying one twenty percent more, who ya gonna cut? Everyone wants a bargain – don’t be afraid to be one. The guy above could probably use this advice
Yes, we’re in an economy where you don’t have to make a mistake – somebody will make one for you. Time to put the “work” in “networking.”
lthough your appearance is not the most important thing in a job interview, it could be critical. Applying too much makeup or having the wrong accessories can hurt your chances of getting the job.
Here are tips to consider before your next interview.
1. Wear something you’re confident in
First of all, if you never wear a dress, costume, or skirt in your leisure time, you should not start wearing one for an interview. There are also fashionable business clothes from Lipsy London out there if that’s more your style. During an interview, it’s always better to stay true to yourself since you are very excited (and sometimes even insecure).
2. Find the right shoes
Feel as comfortable as possible – even if it’s a challenge to find the right shoes for a job interview. They should neither make you nor your legs extremely long, as you want to convince with your skills and not your looks, right? (And twisting your ankle when stepping into the office might not be the most professional look, so just keep it on the down low.)
3. Dress like your future colleagues or better still future bosses
If you don’t know if a business suit and heeled shoes will be the right choice, sit down in a nearby café a couple of days before your interview and take a look at your (hopefully) future colleagues – what are they wearing? Is there any fashion trap you might step into with your choice so far?
4. Don’t wear too much makeup
When it comes to makeup and accessories, you should use as much as necessary but as little as possible – everything distracting the interviewer from your personality and skills might end in some attempts to flirt, but surely not in a serious conversation or labor contract afterwards.
Of course – nobody should ever take a wedding ring off and if you have skin problems because of pimples, you will surely feel better using some light concealer. But there is no need for smokey eyes and pink lip gloss, so just underline your natural beauty a bit without exaggerating the usage of your vanity case.
5. Don’t wear too much jewelry
This apply to both men and women. Of course more to men than men. Heavy rings, necklace, ear-ring, hand-chain is a no, no. In fact, it is better avoided completely for men- even if you use then in your current job. Even for women, clanging bangles, beads that makes you look like a cultural ambassador is out of it.
6. Be conservative with your hair
Punky, Coloured hair style, won’t work, as they are not usually acceptable in office settings. Women has some latitude, yet normal and conservative is safer.
So, good luck for the next interview – keep in mind to stay true to yourself and you will not have to blame yourself afterwards if it goes wrong, because then the company did a mistake!
