Top 10 Tips to Get Your Two Feet in the Front Door

By Marge Mercurio

job, jobs, career

Getting your two feet in the front door is key to getting a job. Become a bullet point and sell yourself right from the first moment. Below are ten tips to help you stand out, get noticed and get a job:

1. Create a 30 second summary of what you can do. This is equivalent to using bulleted sentences. Others judge quickly so be memorable in some way, shape or form. Be genuine.
2. Put your strengths first... If you're great at writing, speaking, numbers, retail or sales, make sure that is expressed in some way.
3. Use action words to describe who you are and what you've accomplished and what you are looking for next. "As president of my local rotary club, I..."
4. Practice your initial introduction in a mirror. Ask for someone to role play with you so you feel comfortable making your pitch. "Hello, I'm Marge Mercurio and it's a pleasure to meet you..."
5. Discuss your social networks as a way to define your use and comfort with technology. "On my blog I've discussed changes in technology in education..."
6. Have conversations in your head so that when you're asked about your qualifications, age, knowledge (too much or too little) and experience so the answers flow naturally.
7. Weave your knowledge and use of current technology into the conversation. If you have a webpage, blog or social network account be sure to mention your involvement. "On my LinkedIn page, I noticed that your company..."
8. Dress for success. This one doesn't change. Plan to wear something respectful and just assume that wherever you go, someone who can help you connect will be there. Don't kick yourself for wearing your "I am Phat" t-shirt out to lunch where your colleagues frequent.
9. Put yourself in places where you can interact with employed people. Go to breakfast meetings, attend seminars and lunches. Have business cards in your pocket ready to share.
   
10. Read books that pertain to the business world. Stay tuned in and it will show in your conversations and help to differentiate you from others.

And one bonus tip: Follow up. When you receive a business card, use it. Contact the person to say thanks. Send a thank you note. This basic tool is so underused and makes such a huge difference to the receiver that it's amazing that it's rarely employed.