How to get your foot in the door: it's always easier to get through the door if you already have it open a crack. Find out just how to knock on the door—and get someone to answer it - getting hired

Career World, Sept, 2003 by Tamra B. Orr

"I have always loved working with kids," explains Brittany. "I volunteered at the local day care center as soon as I could. When they offered me a regular part-time job this past summer, I wasn't too surprised."

Brittany didn't have to weigh whether she wanted this job or not. Her years of experience there had already taught her what she needed to know about the job and the workplace. It's called getting your foot in the door--and that is exactly what you need to do when you are thinking about getting a job.

Walking into a job "cold," or completely unfamiliar with what the position requires, is not only scary, it can be disastrous. You could find out--too late--that you either don't like the job or are not really suited for it. Protect yourself and get a job you really enjoy by wedging a toe in the front door. Here are some popular ways to find out if a job is really for you--and to make a great impression on a future boss at the same time.

Temping

One way to get a good idea of what a job is like is through a temporary service. These businesses are looking for people they can call on for short-term positions, lasting anywhere from a day or so to several months. By working in various positions for brief periods, you can get a good feel for what the job requires. If you really enjoy the position, be sure to introduce yourself to the executives. Have a resume handy to turn in at that time too. Later, if you want to return to this company for a job, the bosses will hopefully remember you and your good work.

This will almost automatically give you a head start on being chosen the next time a position opens up.

Shadowing

When you shadow a person at work, you simply follow him or her around and see what the job entails. It's not only a great chance to see what the actual work is like (rather than your impression of it from television), but to ask questions and see up close all the aspects of the job. Some shadowing experiences might be enough to send you in an entirely different direction; others might confirm your first choice. Shadowing helps you find out what a job is really like without having to make a long-term commitment.

Interning

When you intern at a company, you move from spectator to participant. A supervisor will assign work to you, and your performance will be reviewed. Occasionally an intern is paid; most of the time, he or she is not. Internships usually last a matter of weeks, but some can go on for several months. By spending a set amount of hours in a position, you not only get to know the staff, but the staff also gets to know you. They will come to recognize your traits such as reliability, imagination, and thoroughness. When a position opens up in the company, you may be first on the list.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another way to get yourself known in a company and gain valuable experience for the future. While you will not get paid for this type of work, you can profit in other ways. Volunteering makes a community stronger and closer. In addition to that, it helps you meet people and enhances your resume.

Volunteering can help you discover how you feel about a particular type of work. "I volunteered at a humane shelter in my town, and I thought I would love it," says Nicole. "I quickly realized that the job involved a lot of work I didn't like--especially handling angry cats. I changed my mind about what I wanted to do."

Informational Interviewing

If you don't have a lot of time and energy to explore a variety of jobs, you can narrow down your choices through informational interviewing. This means taking the time to interview people in certain fields that interest you. You ask what they do, what they like and do not like about the job, their opinions about the job outlook, what skills the job requires, and so forth.

According to Peter Vogt, president of Career Planning Resources, this is one of the best tools for preparing for a job. "It's interesting because many students view informational interviewing and networking as bothering people or worse. In reality, networking and informational interviewing go on constantly, and most jobs are landed through these informal channels."

If you decide to try one of these interviews, make sure to do your homework first. Write down your questions and go over the list several times to be sure you've included everything important to you. Consider recording the interview so that you can listen to the responses again. Keep track of the people you talk to so that if you approach the same company later, you will have a contact--someone who will remember you and your area of interest.

Getting your foot in the door will take some planning. By using at least one of these techniques, you may find yourself in a good position for a job offer!

Networking

Make a list of 10 people you know who might be job contacts for you. Consider your family, neighbors, or any other adults you know. Write down their names. Next to each name, write down where he or she works and whether you would like to try shadowing, interviewing, interning, or volunteering for this person or a co-worker. Narrow your list down to the three prospects you like best, and write out an action plan describing how you can get started.