7 Strategies for getting a job: Prepare

You’ve already prioritized the daily effort needed for getting a job. You’ve also put into practice the good people-skills to make an employer want to hire you. Next comes Step 3: prepare.

Now you need to turn that hard work and good attitude into a focused plan. This is Step 3 of my 7 Strategies for Getting a Job with a Criminal Record:

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE

This step, which requires a little more effort during the job search, will make your job search, applications, and interviews more effective and can help you from wasting your time on job prospects that may not be a good fit. 

Rather than just rush into a company and drop off an application, spend a little time learning about the company. I talk all the time about how information is power! Put a little research to work to help put you a step ahead in your job search.

1. Learn about the company and what they do. Since most companies have a website you can do this basic step online. If a company is too small for a website, then they might be too small for a hiring policy that forbids someone with a criminal history, so don’t count those companies out in your job search!
2. Read the job description, looking for ways your skills and experience match what they are looking for. This helps you eliminate jobs that aren’t a good fit and prepare you to sell yourself during an interview. 
3. Use the areas where your experience or skills match what the job description. 
4. Having some questions prepared shows your interest and professionalism. Don’t just ask about benefits or vacation – if you feel the interview went well ask them how they see your skills fitting in this task. That gets the interviewer selling themselves on you. It’s always good to ask what they think the ideal candidate offers them, or what defines success in this position they are hiring for. After they answer try to quickly say ways you fit, if you have the chance.

Whether just talking to an employee, meeting the store manager or even the owner, these added insights will show you are willing to put in the hard work, the extra work, to be a success.