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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 27, 2007

Know how to campaign for that job

By Andrea Kay

There's a job hunt. And then there's a campaign. You want to do the second one.

Job hunters are on the hunt. They hunt and peck around on their computers for openings. Maybe they get lucky. Mostly, they don't.

Campaigners patiently plant seeds, make strategic plans, stay calm and focused and when the moment is right, they spring their well-thought-out campaign. Eventually it pays off big time.

It's a lot like running a political campaign. If a candidate wants you to cast a vote in their favor, you have to believe they're the right person for the job. So the candidate must know inside and out why they're the right person and be smooth as silk in the telling — all the while building trust and leaving you feeling good about them.

Here's an example, if you can put politics aside for a minute. Stanley Fish, a law professor at Florida International University, wrote in the New York Times recently that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is running a model presidential campaign — disciplined, prepared, thoughtful, calm and on message. With these concepts in mind, here's how you can run a model campaign to get your next career position.

BE DISCIPLINED

This applies to two areas: what you're trying to accomplish and how you spend your time getting there.

You must know why you're doing what you're doing. You need a clear objective posted where you see it every day so everything you do supports that objective.

Let's say your objective is to find a position where you can contribute your skills, background and interest in audio production to a company that creates newscasts, documentaries or educational videos.

Knowing that, you focus on activities that support your objective and develop five kinds of lists:

  • Companies that do that work in your targeted geographical area.

  • Related or ancillary industries that work hand in hand with your target companies.

  • People in those industries and companies.

  • Professional organizations.

  • Publications in the industry.

    Each day you'd schedule time to research, contact and follow up with information from these sources.

    BE PREPARED

    This means you're ready for opportunities when they come up. You'll need a resume and a three-minute commercial that establish your credentials, explain what you can do and are full of examples of how you've made a difference.

    BE THOUGHTFUL

    This means you've thought through:

  • Potential objections an interviewer might have about you and how you'll address them in a way that doesn't sound defensive.

  • How you'd handle situations you'd encounter in your field and what you'd say if an interviewer asks, "What would you do if ... "

  • How you feel about the profession and why you care about it so you demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion.

  • What problems the company and industry faces so you can explain how hiring you will help solve these issues.

    BE CALM

    This means you don't get emotional when you hear a question that puts you on the defensive. That includes not focusing on your dire circumstances, your former lousy bosses or how badly you were treated.

    Create a model campaign, and you will build credibility and trust and help others get to know you and feel good about you. This gives you a much better chance of gaining their vote and your new position.