The Meaning of Life – or at Least Good Advice for Your Job Search

by John Kirkland, Center Director at the Bronx Workforce1 Career Center

“80% of life is just showing up!”
-Woody Allen

I have always been fascinated by this quote. “Showing up” is so basic to all we do and can have such a huge impact on the direction our lives can take regardless of our plans.

When I heard from an employer the other day that 4 out of the 10 people the Bronx Workforce1 Career Center had referred to his store for interviews failed to show up (!), I started thinking about the role of “showing up” in finding and keeping a good job:

1. The Workforce1 Career Centers are open every work day of the year and there is almost always some kind of job screening and interviewing event going. So any New Yorker can “show up” on any day and see if there is a job opportunity that day. If that day doesn’t fit your needs, check the schedule for later in the week.
2. If you are using the Workforce1 website, see a Workforce1 ad, or get an email or telephone invite to one of our recruiting events, you have to “show up” to be interviewed for the position. Even if you are not the right fit, “showing up” has gotten you into our system, put you in front of our recruiters, and set you up for other possible opportunities.
3. And when your trip to the Workforce1 Career Center results in a direct referral to an employer, needless to say, you have no chance to get hired if you do not “show up” for the interview. Be sure of the address and directions and research transportation options in advance so you can “show up” on time. (More on that “on time” part in a minute.)
4. If the interview results in a second interview invite or an invitation to orientation, well, you get it by now…”show up.”
5. Once you are on the job, the #1 thing employers are looking for is dependability…dependable, reliable workers always “show up.” Workers who don’t “show up” do not last.
6. Two corollaries to the “show up” message:

• First, always “show up” on time. If you are late to a recruiting event you could miss out or have to wait and be the last to be interviewed. In addition, you will have left a less than positive impression with the recruiting staff. Being late to an employer interview will likely mean you will not get the job. And being late to work can often result in termination.
• Second, in any of the these case where you know you are going to be late, call and let the people you are scheduled to see know you will be late and see if you should still come or if you should reschedule. Calling when you know you will be late is an acceptable way of “showing up,” beside just common courtesy.

Showing up may well be 80% of life, but to my mind it’s 100% of getting and keeping a job. So when in doubt…..

Show up!

John Kirkland is the Center Director of the Bronx Workforce1 Career Center. If you have a question or comment for John, drop him a note below. And, don’t forget to share this advice with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or your favorite social media site.