The advice I’m about to give isn’t earth shattering. But it’ll help you to get hired.
Many other people have written about how to get a cool job. So this is clearly not an original topic. There are two reasons you should listen to my opinion. First, I’ve headed up the marketing departments at two awesome start-up companies in Pittsburgh (Currently Deeplocal and formerly College Prowler)- both of which rarely hire and receive a lot of interest when they do; so, the advice has worked for me (I’m sitting in an enormous purple “Ultimate Sack” bean bag chair, eating Reese’s Cups, and listening to “Do the Panic” as I write this from the Deeplocal office- clearly no complaints here.) Second, I’ve hired interns and full-time employees for both companies I’ve worked for and I know what we want in job candidates. Consider these “rules” to be the icing on the cake. Clearly, if you’re applying for a job you aren’t remotely qualified for, it’s likely that you won’t get it. If you have the base qualifications, these ideas will help you to stand out.
Don’t underestimate the importance of cover letters…and don’t be generic.
A really specific, well-written, honest cover letter can make up for a so-so resume; a generic, poorly-written, boring cover letter downgrades a great resume. The worst thing you can do is to send the same cover letter to every company you apply to. It’s crystal-clear when you’ve changed one or two sentences to “customize” a cover letter. Cite specific reasons you want the position and why you’re qualified for it. Be professional but remember it’s ok to show you have a personality.
Prepare. for. the. interview.
This advice is so unoriginal that I hate giving it. Unfortunately, it’s the #1 thing that interviewees rarely do. If you can’t answer, “why do you want to work for (company x),” then you might as well skip the interview and get a Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks instead…it would be a better use of everyone’s time. When you do come up with that answer, be honest.
Also, either be prepared to show your online portfolio, or bring a physical portfolio of your best work. Almost no one does this; the people who do show that they’re organized and that they care. Oh, and ask questions at the end of the interview…if you don’t ask questions, you don’t really want the job.
Look at the company’s website, products, and (if possible) the interviewer’s bio.
Be passionate, energetic, and positive.
In an interview, it isn’t just about what you say, but how you say it. Want to get a job at Deeplocal or any other forward-thinking organization? Convince your interviewers that you’re not just looking for a 9-5 job. You want to be a part of something that you’re passionate about; you want to love your job so much that you continue thinking about it after hours. Also, don’t say anything negative- about your former job, former boss, hatred of exercise, distrust of vegetarians, whatever. You’ll end up looking like an ass.
Say that you want the job.
Never leave an interview without telling your interviewer that you truly want to work for their company and why. Be heartfelt. Say that if they hire you, you’ll work hard to help the company to succeed. Say you’re willing to do any project you’re assigned. Again, show passion. Don’t be stone-faced. Smile, be confident, and be sincere.
Send a hand-written thank you note and mail it immediately after the interview.
Buy a really nice thank you card, do a rough draft of your note (and spell-check it), and use your best printing to thank your interviewers. Don’t write something lame and generic…cite specific things that happened in your interview and specific reasons you’d love to work for their company. Include your contact info.
It all boils down to this…showing that you care.
Yeah, I sound like a sappy Hallmark card. But showing that you care is really what it’s all about.
While I can’t guarentee that my advice will land you your dream job, it worked for me (working for Deeplocal really is as great as it seems). Good luck, and if all else fails, buy yourself an Ultimate Sack.
