Graduating college can be disheartening. Your peers are settling and giving up on their dreams, and it feels like you might be next. If you have to hear the standard advice about “working on your resume” and “networking” one more time, you’re probably going to punch someone.
Using the Skill-Bridge Technique, you can avoid this trap, and quickly find work you love.
Here’s how:
Step 1 – Have a Direction
Instead of trying to get any job you can, you’ll take the opposite approach. You’ll hone in on 5-7 companies, choose your ideal job title, and figure out EXACTLY what those companies are looking for.
Here are some questions to get you started
- What types of candidates are they looking for?
- Why are they hiring for this position?
- Who are the big decision makers for the company, and for the position you’re looking for?
- What does their hiring process look like?
Step 2 – Imagine Your Ideal Employment Situation
What would you need to make hiring you a no-brainer? Take some time to do your research on these companies, and answer the following questions:
- What would your ideal resume look like? What accomplishments and skills would blow the company away?
- What people would you need to know to make you a shoe in for the job? The CEO? The hiring manager? Your future boss?
- What credentials and credibility indicators would make you irresistible?
Step 3 – Figure Out Who You Can Reach
Now you know exactly what you need in terms of skills, contacts, and credentials. The next step is to identify people or organizations you can work with to help you attain those things.
For instance, you may not be able to reach the CEO of the company yet – but can you reach a close friend of theirs?
Here are seven ideas for different types of people and organizations you could work with:
- An entrepreneur – Help them build their business
- A large company – Create your own internship
- A stranger – Someone you don’t know who works at the company
- A non-profit – Volunteer
- A friend – Someone you know whom needs what you can offer
- Your current company – Create a new project in your existing organization
If you’re looking for some examples, here are a few.
Step 4 – Read Their Mind
The next step is to figure out exactly what this compary or organization wants – their deepest dream.
First do deep research on who you’re trying to work with. Find everything they’ve ever said, every interview, every accomplishment.
Then, ask yourself these questions:
- How can I help them decrease costs or increase revenue?
- How can increase their happiness and excitement, and decrease their stress and boredom?
- How can I help their reputation, brand, and relationships?
Step 5 – Create a Skill-Bridge Proposal
The next step is to create a proposal that bridges your skills, and the things the other person needs.
For instance, maybe you need market research experience to put on your resume, and you’ve identified an entrepreneur who’s launching a new product. Reach out to them and offer to help them do market research (and therefore decrease costs).
Or perhaps you’d like a connection inside the company. You know from your research that this specific person is new to town, and looking for things to do. Arrange to meet them (by going to an event that many people in the company go to), and offer to show them around.
The idea is simply a to find a way to solve their problems, using your skills.
Step 6 – Apply Like a Pro
After a few skill-bridge proposals, you should be close to your ideal employment situation.
You’re going to reach out to the connections you’ve made, and tell them what you’re looking for.
Then, when they set you up in a meeting with a decision maker, you’re going to do one last skill-bridge proposal.
Instead of letting the decision maker figure out how you can best help them, come prepared. Give them a written Skill-Bridge proposal of exactly how hiring you can help them address their biggest problems.
Bring proof in the form of example work from projects you’ve done, recommendations from people who work at the company, and credible organizations that you’ve worked with.
You”ll likely be the most prepared candidate they’ve seen, with experience that perfectly fits their needs.
Enjoy your new job!
About Author: Matt Goldenberg is the founder of Self-Made Renegade, a website that helps you land your dream job without the right experience, degree, or connections.
