HERO Method: Free Ways To Build Your Smarts for the Hunt

Why Building Your Smarts Is a Key to Landing the Job

You do not have all of the smarts you need for that next job but you can learn.  Employers know that you have some learning to do if you landed a job with their agency and that they have to invest in training whoever lands that next job.  Whether it is becoming the Secretary of State or next cook at BurgerWorld, you have some learning to do.

One of the hardest parts of hiring someone is KNOWING that the candidate selected has the ability to learn the new job efficiently (can’t spend TOO much time of money on training)  and effectively (that the employer will be able to walk away knowing the job will be done well by the new employee).

For the job hunter, one of the hardest parts of presenting yourself to an employer is showing that you HAVE THE ABILITY to learn the job efficiently and effectively.   You need to show that not only can you SAY you will learn the job, but already have that capability – anyone can “talk the talk”, you need to show you can also “walk the walk”.  How do you do that?

Get Over It – Or “Smarts Is What  Smarts Does”

Many job hunters worry that they do not have the specific education they believe the employer is looking for and they either do not apply or do not present all they offer to the employer.  Although there are openings where specific education or experience is required, there are many other opportunities where you are in contention for the job if you show you have the ability to learn.

By showing that you have the “smarts” to learn (as noted in the HERO Method), you can present yourself for jobs with confidence you will be seriously considered.  In fact, showing examples of how you can learn things in the field you are applying gives you an advantage over others who only SAY they can learn.

The Free Tools are Right There

There are several tools available to you to learn about aspects of a field you are applying for even while you are unemployed or underemployed and money is tight.  Because we live in extraordinary times, many are right at your fingertips.

Using The Internet to Connect With Others:

Ever hear of MOOC?  Massive Open Online Courses are offered by colleges and universities around the world in dozens of fields.  Use the search term MOOC and you find then join classes and be able to add that to your resume.  Once in the class, you can connect with others around the world and learn even more.

Through “affinity groups”, you can connect with others with a strong interest in your field and develop relationships that can build your future.

Using The Internet to Connect with Information:

Instructional videos, articles, podcasts, lectures are quickly available on the internet through sites like youtube; ehow or encyclopedic sites like wikipedia can teach you things you could not otherwise learn.  You do not even need to study the specific area you are applying for but find related areas and terms so you show interest and aptitude in the field.

Meeting Others:

Meeting with vocational counselors or going to your local career one-stop can open your world to local resources for learning.  A time-tested resource is going to employers in the field and getting an “informational interview”  asking the kind of person the local hiring managers are looking for.  To prepare for these interviews, just ask a counselor.

Just Doing:

There is no teacher like direct experience.  Volunteering at a local agency can teach you sports (coaching), human services skills (all ages),accounting (helping with the financial books for an agency), supervisory skills, publishing (newsletters) – there as many opportunities to build your resume as there are places that would welcome your volunteering.

Employer Resources:

Many states offer ways to make incentives for employers to hire individuals and paying part of the cost for training.  These wage subsidy or On The Job Training programs may even target more incentives for people of certain backgrounds (elderly, offenders, disabled, veterans).

Through other means such as scholarships for vocational school training or internships you may gain the skills to get that job with little or no cost out of your pocket.

Take a moment and appreciate that we live in extraordinary times and you have resources to help you learn an area of your personal interest.  You can also gain an understanding about what you are capable of and let the employer know you have the smarts, too.