With graduation here, students focus in on finding a job. Photo by Jed Strahm

Getting a job or two ... or three

By Marni Casassa
Special to West Times

So you’ve got your college degree, and now you’re ready for that $80,000-a-year job with the corner office the guidance counselor promised you. But wait a minute: In today’s economy, none of the big companies are hiring, much less at that salary – or any salary.

Do not despair. A couple of years ago I tried an experiment to see how fast I could get a job if I really needed to, something with decent working conditions and the possibility of advancement even though I might have to start out at minimum wage.

I went to the mall dressed in a nice business outfit and walked into one of the nicer women’s clothing stores and approached the manager. “Good morning,” I said. “I’ve always loved shopping in your store, and now with Christmas coming, I thought you might be extra busy. I thought I’d stop in and offer to help you out over the Christmas season.”

She looked at me for a moment like I was from Mars and then motioned for me to follow her into the back. Apparently she had never before been approached by someone offering to help her – someone who was more interested in what they could bring to the company rather than what the company could do for them.

I tried the same technique at two more businesses and completed my experiment with three job offers. Now mind you, these were not “dream jobs” that would buy a mansion on Camelback Mountain and a new Mercedes, but they would put food on the table and a roof over my head.

The lesson I learned was that attitude can get you a job even with a company that is technically “not hiring.” Trust me, companies are always hiring.

It’s important for you to know that bosses think they are doing you a favor by giving you the opportunity to earn a paycheck. They believe they are teaching you skills that you should be paying tuition for, especially if this is your first “real job”. In all honesty, for the first year or so a new hire doesn’t come close to earning his salary.

The attitude bosses really hate is “I’m a college graduate, so now I’m going to tell you how to run your company better.” Please hear me when I say for the first year DO NOT make any suggestions.

Here are some realistic sources of immediate employment:

• Temp agencies. Think long term. You won’t get the corner office overnight. Yes, you may make more tending bar than doing delivery work for Intel, but five years from now you’ll still be a bartender. Opportunities abound at Intel. Be willing to start at the bottom.

• Volunteer for non-profits. Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and Habitat for Humanity are well-respected organizations that will put you in touch with prospective employers. Their salaried executives and Boards of Directors include powerful and influential business people.

• Join the Army! It’s still a great way to acquire experience and a variety of technical skills.

• Become an entrepreneur and do your job in a memorable way. Find an unfilled service-oriented niche and deliver incomparable quality. What do people need done that they are too tired to do themselves?

Once you have landed a job, here are some ways to get noticed:

• Give 110 percent. There is no such thing as too much brown-nosing. Give the boss what nobody else gives her – respect, and gratitude for the opportunity. Leave your desk spotless at night, with a prominent “to do” list posted front and center outlining the next day’s work. Don’t put up punk rock posters in your cubicle. Get a tasteful portrait of a past president, a picture of a sailboat or an eagle captioned with an inspirational saying.

• At the office remember to be ALL business. No one cares how wasted you got last night. Be cordial to EVERYBODY, especially the cleaning lady. Some day she will be your biggest ally. Say “good morning” and “good night” pleasantly to everybody. Smile at people. Keep a jar of candy in your cubicle within easy reach of anyone passing by. You will meet everybody in the company within a week and be on a first name basis with them. You will be viewed as the resourceful person who is helpful and a team player.

• Whatever your entry level job, do it with pride, dignity and gratitude. Volunteer for every extra assignment that you reasonably can. Keep the long view. Clients of your company are watching you, too, and you never know when one of them might offer you a job. You want to stand out in people’s minds as an enthusiastic and hard-working employee who does his job with panache – like putting the cherry on top of the sundae.