How to have employers chase you for hire

The best feeling is when you get an email from a recruiter asking if you are available for a job opportunity. That’s when you have the ball in your court. With the perfect resume in hand, impressive interview skills, the next thing we need is that excellent job to land in our mailbox.

You did a good job of mapping out your career map, and now we need the employers to chase us. Here are some tips I need you to follow today so that we can make this happen:

1. Update your LinkedIn profile and make it as complete as possible
2. Review all social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, etc.) settings so that it is set to private
3. Post your brand spanking new resume on one of these job sites:
   1. LinkedIn
   2. Indeed
4. Have previous bosses, co-workers to write you a helpful review on LinkedIn. (Only the ones you have a good relationship with)
5. Join a Chamber of Commerce group, trust me this is worth your time.

Become a Brand

Do the best you can in your current job. Give it your 100% and build a rapport with your colleagues and create genuine relationships. No one likes an anti-social or mean co-worker, and trust me, your reputation will supersede you.

“It's not who you know that matters--it's who knows you that's important. Personal branding builds up your reputation to the point where you have a presence even in your absence.” JAROD KINTZ, This Book is Not For Sale

A brand creates a vision of you for those in your network, an image that eludes quality and trust. How do you create a brand for yourself? Here are 5 Rules to the game:  

Rule 1:  Establish yourself as an Expert - You now have an idea of your career path based on training from the “Value 3” lessons. Which means you can blog and share about the topics closely related to your career.  LinkedIn allows professionals to write blogs that can be published or heck, start your page on Facebook to blog.

Rule 2: Do not gossip or backstab your co-workers. You may find yourself in a situation by the water cooler to talk about a colleague while they are not present. Refrain from taking sides and remain neutral in the conversation. Stick to the facts and give feedback that supports the project or organization at hand. 

Rule 3: Be kind. How many people have you worked with that are mean, unpleasant, or moody?  How did that make you feel? Upset, I am sure. Try not to be like that person.

Small gestures go a long way, like saying “Good Morning,” or smiling. Try buying one of your teammates a cup of coffee, or help others re-create their resume. Your kindness will pay off; trust me.

Rule 4: Stick to your deadlines.  Work assigned to you for a given date and time must be completed at the said time or earlier. Here is a mantra used a lot these days, “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.

Prepare in advance for the task, work backward from your calendar, leave time in your day to work on completing the work assigned to you. Show your colleagues and management that you are responsible and a team player.

The quickest way to ruin your reputation is to miss deadlines and come up with excuses for why you could not meet it. Even if you have to stay up all night, get the work done as promised.

Rule 5: Apologize when wrong. No one is perfect; we all make mistakes. That’s why the words “sorry” and “I apologize” were created.  By taking the high road and not bickering back and forth, you will gain the respect of your peers.  Here is a great article that shows you how to apologize based on a few scenarios.

Can you follow these rules? If so, then start today. Your professional reputation depends on it.