CAREERS / BUSINESS ADVICE

7 Wisdom rules for getting the best job of your life, even when there are no openings by Jack Edward Olson, author of HOW TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES AND CASH IN ON THEM.

The book is available from Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble and olsonhouse.org.

There are a number of ways to do this. Here is one way that contains several elements that will set you ahead, even if you intend to use the traditional resume/interview process.

Wisdom rule #1 Know exactly what you would love to do and where do you want to live. What would your ideal work include? . . . Travel, Variety, Fishing, Flowers? Ask yourself, “How can I include what I love into my career, or make it my career?” For instance, if you love to ski, wouldn’t it be great to work within a few miles of a ski resort. Or perhaps your skills could be made useful to a ski manufacturer, who, in turn, can provide you with the best equipment, free instruction, tickets, and lodging? Start with your greatest dream. Select a few businesses where you can find excitement. The more similar these businesses are, the better. In fact, they could all be competitors. Then focus on one. Don’t be concerned if they are not hiring. They haven’t met you.

Wisdom rule #2 Answer the question that has made fortunes: “Who will benefit from my success?” List all possibilities. Would it be a supplier of materials or services? Could my product or service be used to market some other product or service? It’s call coat-tailing and can be like a slingshot to success! The answers are potential hot buttons for anyone you talk to. As I said, “they haven’t met you yet,” and when they do they are going to be amazed. This is actually the beginning of “Wisdom rule # 4"

Wisdom rule#3Be enthusiastic. The best person for any position may be the one who is enthusiastic, rather than the one with the best resume. Experience often teaches why a thing cannot be done. Whereas enthusiasm is creative, finding ways to get things done, in spite of obstacles. That’s why interviewers ask why you want to join their company. They would rather hear about your enthusiasm for the company than about your personal growth. They are looking for assurance of your value.

Wisdom rule #4 Make yourself valuable .

You must have information. Know as much, or more, about the company than the people you will be talking to. Know how the company got started and what is planned for the future. Imagine the response that will get!

This is where it really gets good. Have pen ready because as you get into what follows, you will discover intriguing questions and ideas that will dazzle your prospect with your depth and understanding. Ready? Go!

Get a copy of the corporate charter from The Secretary of State. Secure a copy of a stockholders report if possible. Check their literature. Now you know what the business is actually doing and capable of. Then go to the library. Find The Standard Rate and Data Service in the reference section. Look into their catalog of mailing lists for your prospect’s industry. There you will find rare insight into industry size and segments. Check the business publications volume. Most of the publications listed supply free samples and free subscriptions. Call the authors of a couple of important articles. They will have much more information about the topics than they could include in their articles. If they are willing to share it with you, you will be well ahead of anyone who has only read the articles. Then go to the Census publications for data and statistics about your prospect’s industry.

With all this, you will have spent less time than waiting for someone to respond to your resume mailing. You will not be competing with anyone. Instead, you will set yourself up for a windfall. Invest a couple of days gathering information, more if you can.

Wisdom rule #5: Position yourself to be a contributor. You have been looking for realistic opportunities to make the company more important, more profitable. For instance, can you offer a way to enhance something they are already doing or expand their market. You might have discovered new products, or new applications of current products or assemblies. You could even offer to do more research. Whatever you present, or offer to do, it must answer the question, “Why will they want me?” As a contributor, you will need to present your findings and ideas in a logical manner. Remember: Sound preparation speaks loudly of leadership, spell that “executive talent.”

Wisdom rule #6 Know what you are talking about. If your appeal is with a new idea or plan, you must know, as accurately as possible the costs of getting it up and running. Anticipate the value of your ideas for the present and future. Go back to the question,” who could benefit if this idea works. Who ever that is, call or meet with them and tell them what you’re doing. Ask what challenges and competition they face. Get information about existing machinery, processes and supporting functions. Be a literature collector and reader. Surprise job offers often come from just poking around, getting information because your quest is making you unusually knowledgeable about your chosen field.

Wisdom rule #7 Make it interesting, This is where you get employers thinking about possibilities with you in the center. When they start contributing to your ideas, you’re in! Arrange bits of information into hand-out sheets. Include your name and the source of information. Give these to people you want to remember you. Memorize interesting short stories, quotations, and clever things from biographies and trade journals that support your views.

Don’t forget the personal interests of your contact. Common ground is great for building trust.

Now you are ready to go. Don’t be surprised if you get hired on the spot or have a special department or division set up specially for you. They may even set you up in business. It’s happened to me a few times. Also, don’t be surprised if they never ask for a resume. How many people do you think come into an office so well prepared? None? Letting you get out the door will be like firing their best employee!

Now they’ve met you.

And you understand proverbs 3:13‑16

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (NIV)