Just Do It!

“According to Nike company lore, one of the most famous and easily recognized slogans in advertising history was coined at a 1988 meeting of Nike’s ad agency Wieden and Kennedy and a group of Nike employees. Dan Weiden, speaking admiringly of Nike’s can-do attitude, reportedly said, ‘You Nike guys, you just do it.’ The rest, as they say, is (advertising) history”

In the sports world these three words, “Just Do It” ring true, but too often in the business arena job seekers fail to recognize the value of an active, “grab the bull by the horns” strategy.  Perhaps we have been lulled to sleep by the electronic media; where resumes can be blasted to thousands of companies by email, or by the ease and speed of application to jobs - by clicking a mouse finger.

Whatever the reason, I am often asked by job candidates something like “How can a find a job in my [insert your home town here], there aren’t any job postings?”  My answer is invariably the same and the feedback I get (or should I say the lack thereof) is usually predictable also.  Here is how my half of the conversation goes:

“You need to use all the methods available to find a job; Internet, Check the newspaper ads, make sure all of your friends and associates know that you are looking for a job and ask them for ideas.  Lastly, and maybe the best way is to put on your best business outfit, you know ‘Dress for Success’ and then just show up at firms and companies where you want to work and ask for the branch manager.”

Most of the time, I get a moment of silence on the other end, as if the candidate is thinking of it in the same way one might mull over the idea of running wind sprints or swimming 20 laps at the pool.  Hmmmm, that sounds like it might be healthy, but it is so much work and, frankly, scary.

The fact is that it is a bit intimidating to cold call in person; that’s why so few people even try it.  But it is for this very reason, that it is so effective; you are demonstrating the skills and nerve that employers universally applaud.  This is especially effective if you are looking for a job in sales - but, guess what, it works for all job types!

Have you tried it yet?  If not remember the words of a great philosopher of the 20th Century  -

“Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

Just do it and let me know how it goes.

Steve