Be comfortable on your couch but don’t be stagnant towards your goals. Two weeks after I graduated college, three years ago, I stepped on a plane landed in Dubai, UAE. Being a fresh grad, this was the time to explore a new culture and leap outside my comfort zone. I worked there for almost a year, selling the shit out of Hugo Boss suits. To pick up my life and move across the world initially frightened me since the journey was uncertain, but I knew that the experience would force me to be resilient and grow in the process. An old mentor once told me that people usually choose the path of least resistance, however I decided I did not want to be like most people. And if you want to be an outlier, this philosophy should not apply to you either.
Harvey Spector (the main character of the show “Suits”) once stated, “he doesn’t have dreams, he has goals.” This is the way you need to think if you want to become successful. Set goals (short-term and long-term), make a plan and be ready to execute them. I knew that if I stayed home after college I would probably end up in a monotonous job with decent pay, but I wouldn’t be able to truly reach my personal and professional goals. And let’s be real, who the hell wants to settle these days? I was not ready to accept the invitation to live a mediocre life. If you are going to strive to be a badass, be prepared to give up a comfortable life and be ready to put it all on the line if you want something great. If you want to be challenged the decision to push past the boundaries will enhance your skills and promote personal growth. When people are bored at work their creativity is lost as well as their motivation to work to their full potential. Push your employees. Push your teammates. Push yourself. Never accept mediocrity.
Here are some steps to become a badass and get noticed by recruiters and/or future employers:
1) Beef up your LinkedIn. Don’t know how? Check out Robye’s article, Is Your LinkedIn Up to Date or Out of Date? This can lead to new connections and keep you informed of relevant updates within your industry.
2) Read, Read, Read. If you think you’ve read enough, than you’ve clearly missed the point.
3) But most importantly, don’t strive to just be a great resume that piles up on your hiring manager’s desk. Be creative and most importantly don’t be afraid to be different. Is one of your greatest attributes your work ethic? Well stating you’re a “hard worker” will not set you apart from your competitors. You need to state examples that show you’re a hard worker. For ex: you increased recruiting efficiency by 10%, or you were promoted for exceeding your roles expectations.
4) How else can you show them you’re unique? Make a video! Get to know the company culture, understand their business objectives and learn how you can fit in their structure. Cover letters are great but they’re old news. Invest in yourself and give it your all. If they don’t want to hire you, then chances are they don’t deserve you or you’re just not the right fit. Either way you’re a step closer to achieving your goals.
5) Need some more ideas? Check out Ruth’s Ruth’s article on video recruiting and how it can help you find your own badass talent!
Yesterday was the first day of the rest of your life. What are you going to do about it?