What it Means to be Employable

I recently found myself trying to explain to a friend of mine why I was not willing to be listed as a reference on their resume. They'd been looking for a new job for quite some time, and the look on their face made it obvious how hurt and confused they were. Talk about awkward... How do you tell someone you enjoy spending time with socially that you wouldn't hire them if they were the last person on the planet?

So I decided to write down my thoughts about what it takes to be a good employee. No, I don't think I'm the end-all, be-all source for employment information. But I do get tired of those awkward conversations. So in a nutshell, here is my opinion about what it takes to get hired, stay employed, and excel in any work environment:

1. Be employable - Your resume is an employer's first impression of you, so it needs to represent who you are as a person and as a potential employee. Likewise, your appearance needs to portray the image you want that business to have of you. If you want to be seen as the techy nerdy person, then dress the part. If you want to be seen as the creative, artistic type, then dress the part. But make sure you can deliver on those unspoken promises. No business wants to hire a hypocrite.
2. Stay employable - Your employer takes a big leap of faith by choosing you over the dozens of other applicants they spent time and energy filtering through. So reassure them that they made the right decision. Go above and beyond, be on time, beat assignment deadlines, and above all have a good attitude. Managers are people too. Mistakes are understandable, but they are much easier to forget when dealing with someone who seems genuinely interested in improving and changing for the next time that situation arises.
3. Become the reference everyone wants - Once you have a job and you're earning gold stars all around, become the "go to" employee that everyone wants on their team. Be friendly, accountable, and dependable. Volunteer for the big assignments and put in the extra effort to make sure your work is fabulous. Always continue learning, brushing up your skills, and networking with others who may become valuable assets personally and professionally.

There are tons of bloggers and writers out there who think they have the "top ten ways to land a job" or the "five keys to a successful job interview." Honestly, I think they're all probably right but how can you possibly remember ten things. If you can remember "be employable" or maybe even easier "be someone you would want to hire", you'll fare well. I can't promise you'll land the job you want or get the promotion you may deserve, because it's a tough market right now. Employees are doing more and more to stand out in a down economy. Good things come to those who wait, but more importantly good things come to those who DO.