I was recently in a FedEx/Kinko's over the weekend to fax some time-sensitive information related to our home mortgage, so I had a chance to peruse the small offering of career-related books for sale. My eyes immediately gravitated to a short text titled, Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? (Ellen Gordon Reeves, 2009), and I pulled it from the shelf out of amusement as much as anything.
Leafing to the index, I liked the title of Chapter 1 — Welcome to Job, Inc. I've used the term Me, Inc. with candidates frequently to try to impress upon you the fact that you and I are branding ourselves all of the time, whether we're happily employed, in transition, or looking for that first opportunity to bring value to a company or initiative.
It's Job Inc., Me, Inc., You, Inc. — we are the value proposition, the product, the service to a prospective employer.
Author Ellen Gordon Reeves writes in a direct, clear, how-to manner with a series of consistent principles that she weaves throughout the book. One example of a core principle that she applies to multiple tasks is the Rule of Three: 3 prospective jobs or industries, 3 new contacts in a week, 3 calls or appointments in a day, etc.
She has established, or at times artfully borrowed, a series of clear — almost overly simple — steps that are certain to help anyone establish a viable "company" of others as your network to success. The tutorial takes on a tone of playfulness at times, but never silliness.
Clearly Gordon Reeves takes the task of succeeding at Job, Inc. very seriously, and she expects anyone reading it to do so as well. She is always encouraging, admonishing when necessary, but never overcomplicating.
Throughout the primer she illuminates the title by imploring you to be "you", whoever that happens to be, throughout your effort to land the job — or risk being miserable for the sake of paying the bills.
Gordon Reeves shares plenty of fresh job search advice that readers should heed.
Useful Resume Don’ts:
- Never offer an Objective — I love it! Objectives are silly, trite and nearly always irrelevant to establishing value to an employer.
- Don't note "References Available Upon Request" — I love it again! Are there really any other options?
- Don't Abuse the Action Verb — This is one of my favorite resume don'ts. We have all become so obsessed with using only action-oriented verbs in our resume to emphasize our dynamic and hard-driving natures that we infer complex responsibilities in even the most mundane responsibilities of our work. Do we really need "Acted as Secretary to the Executive Committee"? You either were or weren't the Secretary right? Prefacing the role with a non-essential action verb is "acting" like it was more than the obvious.
Informational Interview Tips:
- Make cold calls or contacts - You're not asking for a job, you're asking for guidance, experience, and expertise. You will be amazed at your success in securing informational interviews!
- Practice your face-to-face communication skills (and your written communication skills) - These are great opportunities to strengthen your pitch for "You, Inc."! While you're never requesting a job during the informational process, you are always selling You, Inc.
- Develop a gracious demeanor - Show appreciation for your interviewers' time, expertise and investment in You, Inc. You'll be rewarded for doing so, whether with additional contacts for further informational interviews, possible opportunities, and by growing your friendly network - professionals who will support your growth and success!
- Support others - Always offer to support anyone who has supported You, Inc. This will also pay dividends!
She even makes reference to addressing an evident disability (from the perspective of the candidate with a disability) within the interview context. While this is a very brief Q/A, I applaud Gordon Reeves for at least broaching the topic in a text written for a broad audience. In fact, her suggestion that you address your disability up front without making it the center of the interview, is very aligned with my perspective on this challenge.
If you have $15 to invest in your future, I'd recommend buying Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? (link goes to Amazon), reading it thoroughly and applying its principles for landing your first real job. Polish your piercings if you must!
Pat,
This is excellent advice! Me, Inc is something that should be continually evaluated, improved upon, reinvigorated - and it's never to late to jumpstart your Me brand. From the sound of it, this book is invaluable whether you've yet to land your first real job or are a seasoned worker.