How To Get A Job: A Meme Guide

Everyone loves a good meme. They’re funny and great for connecting with people – for individuals as well as brands. Social media pages of brands and businesses would not be half as engaging without them.

The reason why memes are so relatable is that they’re based on experiences or observations made by someone or some people, and have been shared with a large set of people who have also related to it. To paraphrase William Gibson’s quote on clichés, memes are memes for a reason. They are culturally relevant and are based on some modicum of truth.

And so, turning to memes for some advice on finding a job is not such a bad idea. What could be more relatable to practically everyone than wanting to find a job?

Here we go. 14 fantastic and practical tips from memes:

Tip 1: Finding a job is a job

You can’t be casual about looking for a job. You can’t do it on a whim, whenever the mood strikes you. Set aside some time every day, or at a frequency that is convenient for you. The important thing is to have a plan and to stick to it.

Tip 2: You are what you post

Clean up your social media posts. LinkedIn is the obvious place to start, but also look at other social media platforms. Many a good job opportunity has been lost because of social media indiscretions.

Tip 3: Write the resume for the job

Now, if you’re applying for a similar kind of job you don’t have to personalise your resume. But if you’re interested in different roles AND have relevant experience (or interest), it is a good idea to make the necessary changes. Remember, good resumes often get rejected because they don’t have the “right” keywords related to the job.

Tip 4: Don’t lie on your resume

Lying on one’s resume is a common thing. Remember, there’s always the risk of getting caught. But even if you don’t, lies weigh a person down. Instead try to address the reason for lying, such as you don’t have the relevant experience or number of years, which brings us to the next tip.

Tip 5: Don’t get caught in the vicious circle

This is especially true for people in the beginning years. You may not have the relevant experience for a job, and you can’t get the relevant experience because you can’t get hired for the role. There are ways to address this. You could try getting an internship somewhere for a few months. If not a paid one, then a free one. Think of it as an investment in your career. Or you could freelance for a related project by partnering with someone (a friend or a professional acquaintance) who is already working in that area. Also, there’s a definite shift happening in recruiting, and several companies are starting to hire people who may not be “exact” fits for the roles. Look out for such opportunities.

Tip 6: Are you right for the job?

You may have the right qualifications, but is this job right for you? There are so many other things that you should consider. To me, some of the key points to consider are culture and people. What are the things you consider when looking for a job? Share in the comments section.

Tip 7: Good to be creative but don’t push it

There are so many “creative applications” that are shared and liked on social media. It is tempting to do something different to stand out. But different doesn’t mean derisive. Enough said, the meme says it all.

Tip 8: Cover letters are a good way to stand out

Yes, cover letters are tedious. But they make a difference to your application and you should spend time on yours. Don’t send out the same cover letter to every job. Think of it as an opportunity to say the best things about you that is relevant to the role you’re applying for. It is a place for your personality to shine through. Many cover letters will go into the bin, but some will get liked and will get your resume shortlisted.

Tip 9: Check job openings regularly

This brings us back to Tip 1. You have to be at it. Check job sites regularly and be prompt with your applications. Don’t procrastinate, as sometimes companies close applications earlier if they get too many applications, unless they mention a last date for applications.

Tip 10: Apply for jobs on trusted platforms

Do your homework, and shortlist a few known job platforms and portals. Also, build connections with Placement Consultants in your industry and ensure your updated resume is in their database. Beware, there is a lot of scammers posting fake jobs. If you’re being asked to pay for job applications, say no thank you and block them.

Tip 11: Prepare for the interview

I am guilty of this, very early in my career. I went for a job interview without any preparation. The interviewer was impatient, and after the first five minutes told me to come back when I had done some homework. I was so miffed at that time, but it was a lesson well learnt. As an interviewer myself, nothing is more annoying than the interviewee not doing any reading up prior to the interview. It shows a lack of interest and effort. And yes, you should know the name of your interviewer. For extra points, check them up on LinkedIn and find something common to talk about.

Tip 12: Don’t be smug

Confidence is an attractive quality in a candidate, over-confidence is not. You shouldn’t be subservient either. Be friendly and professional.

Tip 13: Keep applying to jobs

After you have applied to a bunch of jobs, it is natural to want to wait and watch. You just applied for your dream job. It’s tempting to wait for it. The reality is that most of the companies you’ve applied to will send you rejections or not come back at all. So, keep applying till you get one.

Tip 14: Don’t get dejected with rejections

You will get rejected by dozens of jobs. According to this article, it takes 100-200 applications to get one job offer. So, keep at it and ensure that you’re keeping the other tips in consideration. You’ll hit gold sometime soon.

All the best in your job hunt. Enjoy your current free time or your current job, as soon you WILL get a new job and you’ll find new things to grumble about such as having to wake up early or being in Zoom meetings all day.

Hope you enjoyed the list. I bet there are tons that I’ve forgotten to add. Do share in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

And if you’re currently on a break and not looking for a job, check out this article I’d written two years ago on tips to maximise a career break.

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All views expressed are my own and based on almost two decades of professional experience which includes applying for jobs and recruiting for my own teams.