By Dixie So, you are not at the resume stage just yet. Maybe you are still in high school, or a bit older but no real job experience to speak of. Maybe you made some bad decisions and you just don’t have a lot to show as far as work or even positive accomplishments so far…
Its OK. Its OK. Think about this: 100% of people who have jobs at one time were in your shoes. No experience, no resume, nothing accomplished that would jettison you into a high paying job. Or even a low paying job. It’s OK. Everybody, and do mean everybody, unless they came out of the womb with a college degree and a couple of years experience, started at nothing. And I don’t see anyone listed in the Guinness Book of World Records with that distinction currently. So put any guilt, fear, shame behind you.
How do you even get past the ‘fill in an application and we’ll get back to you’ (which they almost never do) stage??
Step 1: Make a list of potential employers. Be realistic. You are likely looking at minimum wage or other lower paying jobs right now. I said ‘right now’ because you will likely move up if you work hard wherever you are. Laborer, wait staff, bus boy, you get my drift.
Step 2: Take a hard look at your appearance. Get your hair cut, shave where you need to, make sure you have clean and neat clothes. You don’t have to have a suit, just khakis, button down shirt, decent belt, socks and shoes. Make sure everything fits. No pants dragging the ground, make sure your shirt is not too tight or loose. Yes, for those who like to look trendy, you WILL look boring, however you are trying not to scare people who may be a little on the boring side. You know, people who could potentially PAY you to work for them. Suck it up for now, OK???
Step 3: Go to said employers. Wear the clothes referred to above. Yes, still fill out an application. Write so incredibly neat that it will look like you brought a typewriter (Google what a typewriter is. Geez, smartphones were not ALWAYS around!) If you are ‘neat writing challenged’, simply ask for an application and fill it out at home. Or get a buddy to write it for you. It has to be neat, not sloppy, no creases and no Starbucks Pumpkin Latte stains.
Step 4: While you are at these potential employers, ask very politely if you can meet the manager. Sometimes they will say no. That’s OK. If the answer if no, at least write down the managers name and ask when he/she is usually less busy. Write that down too because you will use that information later. If the manager comes out, simply express your interest in working for them and let the manager know you are filling out an application. Let them know you will be following up within a day or so as well. This sounds really stupid but almost NOBODY does it. Managers biggest headache for jobs at this level is getting people hired who actually WANT to work. They cannot get that off a resume. Taking the initiative to meet them, express an interest in the job and following up will go a very, very long way to bumping your application to the top of the stack.
(BTW if you are applying at a restaurant or coffee shop etc., a really good thing to do it to sit down and actually have a cup of coffee or lunch there. Talk with the wait staff and tell them you are applying. Find out everything you can, ask them to put in a good word for you, etc. Tip well.)
Step 5: After you have turned in your application (wearing the same neat clothes, and in person, not emailed or mailed), go back by and ask to speak briefly with the manager. Shake their hand, look them in the eye and tell them again how much you want to work there. Do. Not. Mumble. Be confident, energetic and enthusiastic.
Step 6: Two days later, call and ask to speak to the manager. Call during the time you found out he/she is least busy. Leave a message if they cannot see you or are not there.
Step 7: Two more days later, drop back by (wearing the same neat clothes and with the same neat appearance).
Step 8: Call again two days later. Leave another message expressing your interest in working there.
(Tip: if this is a company you really, really want to work for: Go by again and see the manager. Offer to work there for three days for FREE to prove what a great employee you would be. Obviously you don’t want to do this all the time, and most companies would never take you up on it, but it is a great and totally unused way to show some ‘fire in the belly’.)
Step 9: When you get the job, be on time every time. Be willing to take any shift. Show the manager what a terrific hire you are. I guarantee you will not be minimum wage for long.