The Cheat Code to finding the job YOU WANT and at the SALARY you want

In the 21st Century, it seems like everyone has some type of college degree, a lot people are going for their masters in XYZ (and got a 6.0 doing it) and went to a big school...meaning that the competition is tough out there. Of course a lot of 20/30 somethings would love to work for Facebook, Amazon, Google, LinkedIn or insert large tech company but the question is ...how to be considered. I don't know about everyone else feels but when I was graduating I felt like I had so much potential but I didn't have the right name on resume ( at least that was how I felt ) or the right degree ( I have a bachelors in Kinesiology). I had a goal of working in Sales for a larger company and I wasn't getting a seat at the table so I decided to put destiny into my own hands instead of letting an HR department define who I was so I want to share with you a couple tips I have done over my career. (When I graduated I got gotten 10 jobs offers around the US for multiple fortune 500 companies).

1. You need to have a plan. If you fail to plan....the you plan to fail...so I got you on the first one ;)
2. Make a list of the companies you want to work for. I would recommend that you make a list of at least 30.
3. Start connecting with every VP, President, CEO and Senior Director you can find at those companies with a message on LinkedIn! LinkedIn gives you 300 characters that you can write a message to a new connection. I would recommend writing a message seeking for help/advice on how that person got where they are today. Otherwise you are just another solicitation to them...to give you a idea I currently have 200 invitations in my connections box without a message so STAND OUT!
4. Learn how to Network. Big companies are having events all the time...It's called do a GOOGLE search and find the events. If you go, dress to impress and have cards. If you can find one of the people above at event like this...Guarantee Interview.
5. GET THEM ON THE PHONE/GRAB COFFEE! Us Millennials NEED to learn how to COMMUNICATE with human beings. It blows my mind how many people my age are afraid to pick up the phone and talk...It's ok if you don't know what to say all the time. They will appreciate it and you will be 1 out of thousands of people that have applied. NOTE*** If you get this far...You need to do research on the company, the person your sitting down with/talking with, and the industry they work in...Otherwise you will look like a SCRUB
6. If you do this RIGHT, they should like you and ask you what your next plans after graduation career/Career move is...because high performers like these people know talent when they see it...and CATS OUT OF THE BAG THAT THEY WANT YOU. Depending on how high up your person is...depends if you actually have to apply or not (Ps always have your most updated resume going into this)
7. They will take you through the interview process ( because they are required to) but if you have followed the steps above...you should have the job before going into your first interview.

Which leads me to my next topic...is asking for more money. This is definitely an art that you will need to have people that are more experienced than you to bounce ideas off of.

1. Based off of the list you made above, start with the companies that starts off with the highest pay (Not usually the best company...so they have to lure you in with the $$$)
2. The goals is to follow the process above and get a formal offer from at least 2 companies to have leverage with the company you really want to work for.
3. Bring documentation to the final interview and say that you really want to work for them but they are gonna have to match...BTW... and know how to walk away if they don't respect your ask. Most good companies recognize talent when they see it and will pay more for good people.

Lastly, I would highly recommend to you all is that you find a MENTOR to help you. I have some amazing people in m life that taught me how to do this and if it wasn't for them...I could have never done this. Mentorship is the real difference maker in the whole formula soooooo...Happy Job Hunting!

Best,

Ben Ten Pas