How To Get ANY Job…Unconventionally.

Last Wednesday I accidentally got a job. I was going into this chocolate store and before I knew it, they were interviewing me. I wasn’t even slightly prepared.

I haven’t job ‘hunted’ in a while, but recently some of friends were complaining that no one was hiring.

Yet, they REALLY wanted me. They were trying to sell me the job! The whole thing was surreal. How did I do it? Not sure, but here’s what I came up with:

A) Confidence 

I feel like it all starts here. This is the determining factor for almost everything in life. You need to be confident when approaching your future employer. When I approached them, I remember saying, ‘I will be the best employee you’ve ever hired.’

People respond to confidence. So few people are confident, that when it’s demonstrated, it comes off as a shock.

A few tips to confidence: look at them in the eyes as you sell yourself. Acknowledge what they said and respond concisely. Use open body language (Google it).

Active conversation comes with confidence. When you are confident, you are attentive and sharp.

B) You are human and guess what… 

So are they. We are all the same mouth-breathing, pooping disgusting people with pretty little masks on.

Treat them as such. Do not place them above yourself. You may think that because you are asking for a job and they get to decide, that puts them above you.

Well, it doesn’t.

Before you approach them, remember that they’re just like you. Treat them as such. Treat them like you’re trying to befriend someone for the first time. Aim for that balance between playfulness and seriousness.

C) Be Yourself 

Even complete strangers can pick up on your façades. Your masks will only hurt you when you approach. Being your genuine self allows people to see your true personality.

And, if by some divine luck, you managed to snake past the interview wearing your mask; your co-workers will eventually see who you really are. Save yourself the embarrassment and be genuine.

D) Make Them Laugh 

In the dating world, the top quality that women look for in a man is ‘funny.’ Not rich, happy, or successful but funny. There has to be some validity to that.

The manager that you’re talking to also loves to laugh! So make him/her laugh. Swear if you must. What I said was, ‘excuse my language, but shitty customers are just that, shitty.’ They laughed.

Swear only if you absolutely have to, but use the ‘excuse my language’ precursor. It seemed to work for me.

Laughter is the way to anyone’s heart. It’s proven. Look at all those dating sites.

E) Show Value 

The best question that is asked in all interviews is, ‘what can you bring to the table?’ I love this question because I can say literally say anything to win them over.

In this particular case, I said, ‘my knowledge.’

“Everyone you will ever meet, knows something you don’t” – Bill Nye

That reminds me that I know a lot of things that the employer doesn’t know. I can use my own knowledge to sell that. I used my knowledge of psychology to teach them something.

You know a lot of things that your future employer doesn’t know either. Use it. Teach them something. They will listen and they will love you.

F) Rules of the Game 

I don’t think there are any rules to this game. Too many people subscribe to the rules and let opportunities pass them by. We’re told to say certain things and act a certain way.

‘Sticky’ questions like ‘what do you pay’ and ‘what can you, as the employer, offer me’ are off the table for most. For me, they aren’t. When you ask the employer, what they have to offer YOU, it’s like their trying to sell you the job.

The roles are reversed. You’re really interviewing them, but they don’t know that.

I think rules are meant to be broken. These tips are all unconventional and this article has gone on too long. As a later point, I will make a part II. For now, go forth and get any YOU desire…unconventionally.

Be bold, be free, and love on.