In searching for your job, you're probing for information like an investigative reporter. What qualities do you need to succeed?
According to Scott Simon and Ray Suarez, two award-winning reporters for National Public Radio, the most important quality is curiosity-"a consuming form of curiosity," says Suarez? Simon adds, "Perseverance is a fine trait in a reporter," a point echoed by a Cleveland Plain Dealer business editor, Mary Ellen Crowley Huesken. "Persistence is number one," observed Huesken: "A good reporter must also be creative in terms of making connections. For example, if something's happening to one person, maybe it's happening to others. Good reporters are also open to information which may not be what they expected. If that is very interesting, they have to be flexible enough to pursue it.
"Business reporters talk to as many people as possible to find out what know and who they know to get more information," she added. "They keep in touch with people on their beat to find out what's happening. If the reporter who covers law firms, for instance, finds out that one firm hired a person to do nothing but public relations, she might ask: Is this a trend?
The Art of Asking Questions
Job seekers should be asking the same kinds of questions. You are entrepreneurs, explorers, private detectives, researchers all in one, curiosity.
Open to information that may not be what you expected, Probe below the surface. The treasures you might uncover are unmet needs in the marketplace. Most of them will not come neatly wrapped in newspaper articles. If you don't actively search for them, you could be looking right past them. The art of asking questions is almost overlooked in our society. In communications, the spotlight is on speaking, the theater of presenting. The ability to ask good questions-and listen to the answers-is almost ignored. These skills don't have much pizzazz. But they're essential in persuasion, and in finding employment.
Asking questions in a nonthreatening, non-challenging way is an art. You will, of course, invariably be diplomatic and avoid any hint of "grilling" the other person, for more about the questioning process.
Use the Information You Get
By asking questions, you'll undoubtedly be able to uncover needs. Filling them is something else. How will you use the information you obtain.
The entrepreneurial role is probably the best one to bridge the gap between information and employment. Employers want results. You may be able to help meet their needs in your area of expertise, whether it's operations, materials handling, or trust services. Regardless of what you have to offer, the only way you will know if you can be helpful is to meet them, exchange ideas, and explain how you can benefit them.
Reframe the Job Market Where Can You Be Entrepreneurial?
Everywhere! Explore your universe! Expand it! You don't have to launch a space station to do that. Discovery happens when you're curious. Do Treasure-hunt right in your neighborhood. There could be gold within a few miles, right in those office complexes, restaurants, and shopping malls. To find it, keep digging. What kind of business is this? Who owns it.
What do they do here? Where do these products come from? Who do they sell to? Is this a franchise? Part of a national / international business?. Who manages this property? If you keep digging, you may eventually hit pay dirt. All the world's a stage, said the Bard, and technology has greatly expanded the theater. So has reframing. Shopping centers are now entertainment complexes. Even supermarkets are show biz. Sideshows for kids have become routine. Some markets offer massages. Others feature singles nights and cooking classes. At least one caters benefit parties for PTAs and other nonprofits after hours on Sundays. The opportunities for reframing are endless.
Conferences, trade and professional association meetings, business and trade shows are great places to see what's going on. Who's in business? What are they doing? And how? Have you ever gone to a business show in an industry different from your own? A graphics show? Or a computer show? You might easily meet the head of the company. If they're typical small businesspeople, they're proud of their business and would love to talk about it. Think of all the growing businesses represented at shows that need people with your skills-in accounting, systems analysis, public relations, marketing, etc.
Business shows are noisy and hectic. You may not love them. But you don't have to marry them. Just get information, and business cards. As you collect them, make some appropriate notes to help you when you follow up. Then do it. Call and set up appointments. By following up on your initial meeting, you've done much more than accomplishing a meeting with hiring authority. You also have some information about what they do, how they market, and who they hire. You're already inside the organization! Now why not ask for a tour of their facility? That's an invaluable opportunity to learn about them, ask questions, and possibly make some helpful suggestions. That could be the launching pad for your new job. Being entrepreneurial does not mean that job fairs and other traditional vehicles for finding employment should be overlooked. They can be useful, of course, but they should not be relied on as the best or only way to find your job. There are, obviously, many more creative ways to do that.
