How to Get a Job (You Don't Hate)

By a show of hands, how many of us has had a job we absolutely hate. I can imagine I'm not the only person with my hand raised right now. This is something that many of us can relate to. The first that I ever had was working at an extended stay hotel. I worked there for 9 shifts and every day that I was there all I could think about was working somewhere I didn't hate. (I'm not meant to be in the hospitality industry). Now the reason this blog isn't called "How to Get a Job You Love" is because not all of us can make jump to doing exactly what we want immediately. Many people have families to take care of, other people it's just the wrong timing, other professions take time to build. This includes myself. I'm an acting major, but you don't see me on the silver screen just yet.

So today you're going to learn how to get that job that you won't hate.

NOTE: the principles in this article do apply to getting your dream job! Also applies to those just entering the workforce.

Step 1. Find Something That You Would Like to Do and That You'd be Good At

My next job I worked in retail as a salesman. While it wasn't starring next to Robert Downey Jr. I certainly didn't hate this job. In fact, I really liked it. It allowed me to hone my sales techniques and I loved being around and meeting new people. It was something that fit my personality perfectly and I was VERY good at it. This should be your first step. Find something that you would be good at and be around something you like. If you like animals, look into shelters or pet stores hiring employees. If you like helping people find hotels or restaurants to work at. If you like kids see if any daycares around town are hiring. Or if you're like me and you like selling people things, find a place that sells people things. Perhaps you don't like any of these things and you're trying never to work in an office or professional place of business again, then you may want to try your hand at a network marketing business or starting your own business (if you want to know more about network marketing or how to start an online business contact me).

Step 2. Believe that You Can Get a Better Job

This is a short, but very important step. If you don't believe you are worthy of a better job than you'll never get it. One of my acting teachers used to say "the universe always says yes." This means if you keep saying that you'll never get out of the job that you're in and you'll never be able to do something better, you never will. You have to change your mindset and believe that things will get better.

Step 3. Acquire and Hone the Proper Knowledge and Skills

After you've found something that you would prefer to do it's time to acquire and hone the proper skills. Now it just so happens that my dad trains sales people and I've been a ham from day one so salesman came naturally to me. However, I still watched many videos and movies on how to become a better salesperson. This helped me in my job immensely and I went on to become the number one salesman at my job. In order to make a change to a new job you need to get the right skillset to do it. If you want to become a personal trainer, you're going to want to look into getting a personal trainers license. You need to educate yourself about fitness. Watch YouTube videos, read articles, and see how other people do it (if you want to be the best, educate yourself like and by the best). Same goes if you want to become a bartender, a car salesman, or a babysitter.

NOTE: some of these things take money to achieve and that's okay. Working at your current job knowing that you're working towards getting your new job will make it easier.

Step 4. Look the PartWhen you audition for a part in acting, you're more likely to get the part if you look something like the character. It helps the directors see you as the character and they may hire you over someone more qualified. The same goes for every job. Make sure to dress the part. If you're interviewing for a job at a cowboy boot store (I live in Texas, these do exist) dress like you work there already. You don't want to go in dress like Don Draper or James Bond. However, if you're applying to an advertising firm you may want to look like Mr. Draper or Mr. Bond. You don't want to go in for an interview there looking like you're applying at Gamestop. I went for an interview at Chipotle a few years back in a full suit. This was a bad idea. I did not get the job. You never want to be over or underdressed for the job you want. You want the people hiring you to see you working there already. The same goes for your resume. You want your resume to have the skills and look applicable to the job that you want.

Final Note. Shoot for the Best

This is less of step and more of a tip. When trying to get a job you don't hate you are going to want to aim for the best possible. This means if you want to work in a hotel, don't apply to the Motel 6, apply for the Hilton. If you want to work in a restaurant, apply to a fine restaurant instead of McDonald's. This is beneficial to you for several reasons. First, the pay at the best will likely be better. Second, the work will be better and you'll feel better doing it. Third, bragging rights (what sounds better, "I work at Taco Bell" or "I work at Mi Cocina"?). Finally, if you get shot down at the top you can keep moving down until someone does hire you. If you start at the bottom it's much harder going up. Whatever the field you want to go into shoot for the best first.