As the new year approaches, I want to remind you that this is a great time to start job hunting! A new job with more pay is a wonderful way to start the year. But before employers start to look over your applications around mid January, I want to help guide you into the land of the pimps and hoes…also known as corporate America. The goal here is to have you no longer be the hoe and trust me we’ve all been there! I just finished greasing my legs to start the work week! Lol. Just kidding…well sort of.
10. In this current economy, it is a myth that hard work pays off! Don’t just work hard but work smart! If you want a better job, don’t just submit 80 million applications and wait for a reply! NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK! You want to know the person responsible for hiring! That’s how you work smart!
9. Every other race and culture knows how to network but black folks! Networking is NOT telling your friend to apply to a job where you work! It’s having them forward you a polished resume and you in turn have a conversation with the person in charge of hiring at your job! It’s even better if you are the person responsible for hiring! Every culture looks out for each other but us! We always feel like we have something to prove and don’t want to pave the way for others. Black folks it’s ok to look out for other black folks. White, Jewish, Indian, Hispanic, and even gay people are all looking out for each other! I know this first hand because I have close friends and family of all different races, religions, and sexual orientation. When we get into business conversations, they put me on to their knowledge. And baby knowledge is always power! Not to mention, my friends of other races have gone above and beyond for me more than my own! I know the truth hurts but that is my truth! Black people let’s get that chip off our shoulders and look out for our brothers and sisters. Now I’m NOT saying you should discriminate against other races when hiring! What I am saying is there is nothing wrong with helping each other climb the corporate ladder…nothing wrong with helping someone you know get a job and nothing wrong with accepting that job! To anyone who has or is helping to build Kingston Jael up, I thank you!
8. The people that are getting the positions in this current economic climate are generally NOT the most qualified. Who you know use to be the best way to get a job but now it’s the ONLY way to get a job! Never forget that rule of thumb or you will get left behind!
7. Now when someone does recommend you for a position and you get it…it’s your job to learn it, excel at it, and then pay it forward to the next person behind you! No time to be on your high horse…pretending that no one helped you to get where you are today! Even if it was only Jesus Christ Himself that opened that door for you, you better pay it forward as Jesus would! And that’s real talk!
6. If you currently work for a great company but are having difficulty moving up here are some tips just for you. (A). Try to find a trustworthy mentor that can give you some tips on how to strengthen your resume from within your company. Now a trustworthy person in corporate America may be hard to find so use your gut instincts in choosing your mentor. (B). If you can’t find a mentor within your company, ask family and friends if they know of anyone higher up in your industry working for any company. Even that person can be a blessing as your mentor and give helpful tips on making you a stronger applicant for the position you want whether you stay with your company or apply to others. (C). In my early 20s, I was a customer service representative at the front desk of a university financial aid office. Once in the position, I was not comfortable just answering phones and filing paperwork so I asked to attend trainings and conferences that typically only counselors and directors attended. My request was met with enthusiasm! I was told that I was the first customer service representative to ask to attend these events. Within a year, I was promoted to loan coordinator! That’s right! I built my resume by mastering my current position, at times doing two positions at the same time, and then attending trainings and conferences! Never let your position limit you!
5. If you have been with a company for years, always on time, always get great reviews, and they have yet to promote you…it’s time to move on! Knowing your worth is not just a relationship motto…it’s a life motto! There’s always some politics behind the scenes in corporate America. If you don’t feel appreciated, polish that resume, start networking, and apply to positions! No one can hold you back but you!
4. Best way to look for a job is to already have one while looking! Don’t wait to be booted out on your ass before you decide to make moves! Sometimes we don’t see lay offs and firings coming but as soon as it happens your job hunt becomes more stressful! So if you feel like you are on the Titanic and you are one of the musicians playing the violin, get to networking!!!! Kiss them goodbye before they kiss you! Also, the bigger the gap in employment history, the harder it will be to get a job. Employers are much like Jay Z…they want “the hottest chick in the game.” Lol. Pepsi will feel so much better knowing they stole you from Coke. Lol. So stay hot! Streets is watching!
3. If you have been doing all the things I’ve mentioned so far and you haven’t gotten a new job yet….keep the faith! Your job is on its way! “PRAYER IS NOTHING WITHOUT MOVEMENT!” Paraphrasing the Bible here!
2. Bosses can inspire and they can also crush your spirit! Putting egos aside, remember that your boss does not always know more than you. If you both have the same credentials, chances are the only thing separating you and your boss is that your boss knew the person responsible for hiring his position or he knew someone who knew that person! Why mention this? Sometimes we go to our bosses with our career aspirations and they tell us to keep making the French fries just the way they like it and that getting the “fry of the year” award every year for the last ten years is still a huge accomplishment! Some bosses want to keep us down! So be leery of speaking with your boss about your career aspirations within your current company or any company. You owe corporate America nothing! Put yourself and your coins first at all times! If a better career opportunity comes, take it! And then:
“Hustle, hustle, hustle, hard
Hustle, hustle, hustle, hard
Hustle, hustle, hustle, hard
Closed mouths don’t get fed on this boulevard.”
1. This is the most important rule to remember in the land of the pimps and hoes (corporate America)…if it is not your own business, you are easily replaceable! I don’t care how long you have been with a company and what you have done for them…when you become a threat to them, are no longer of any value, or they can find someone to do your job for less, you will be tossed out faster than those prostitutes in Hunt’s Point (the Bronx) get tossed out of a “john’s” car after giving a bad blow job! Yes…you read that right. I don’t care if your business is just your side hustle but make sure you have a legitimate legal business doing something you love before you leave this earth! Now we weren’t all meant to be entrepreneurs…I hope and pray I am…but even if you sell pies to friends and family every Christmas to make a little more money to feed your family, do it! It feels good to have your own and to control your own financial destiny. Now if your business grows into a real business, please don’t forget to give the IRS their cut! They will always go for the jugular and snatch your kidneys if you try to cheat them. Best of luck in all you do and I hope this blog helped people of all races, cultures, religions, and sexual orientations. ~KJM giving pimp lessons on Charm School Mondays while quoting the Bible and Ace Hood lol
