Young students participate in the Nissan 100 Black Men Résumé Challenge event held in Nashville.
In honor of Black History Month, Nissan North America partnered with 100 Black Men of America to host its fourth annual Resume Challenge for African American high school juniors and seniors recently.
“While celebrating African American history is an integral piece of Nissan’s Black History Month observances, helping to prepare tomorrow’s black history makers is equally important to us,” says Jeffrey Webster, Nissan’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
Students from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Jackson, MS, Nashville, and Washington, DC, participated in a two-day developmental workshop with Nissan employees and community leaders at the automaker’s headquarters in Nashville.
Here are 10 tips, culled from the event’s speakers, that will help your teen land his/her first job.
Nissan’s Andrew Tavi.
1. Check yourself.
The first step on the road to success is to tap into your passion says Nissan’s Andrew Tavi. “Be passionate. Wake up every day and ask yourself if you’re doing what you want to be doing.”
Students listen to Nissan’s Rebecca Vest.
2. Unplug and connect with others in real life.
“Build your network in person,” advises Nissan’s Rebecca Vest. “Get out of your computer, get off your phone, get away from the desk and go make a relationship with people...because we are not just machines. We’re people. We’re all valuable, wonderful creations. Having your network will pay off huge dividends over time.”
Ashford Hughes speaks to students.
3. Connect with your community leaders.
Ashford Hughes, Senior Advisor for Labor and Workforce, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, says that he lost friends to gun violence and jail, and he encourages young Black men to connect with positive men in their communities.
“You have people like myself and other men who are here for you, so reach out,” he says. “You are worthy and you are loved, and we need you as a part of our community.”
Nissan’s Amber MacGillis and Michelle Cook.
4. Clean up your social media profiles before you begin your job search.
Nissan’s Amber MacGillis and Michelle Cook warn that your social media footprint can hurt you when you’re looking for a job. “After they receive your resume, most companies search your social media profiles,” MacGillis says. Cook says three keys to manage your online reputation are: “1. Think before you post; 2. Do not feed the trolls; and, 3. Un-tag yourself when someone tags you in inappropriate jokes, memes and posts.”
Students.
5. Create a clean, error-free, properly formatted resume that highlights your skills. Start here.
Nissan’s John Martin.
6. Dress for success-and behave accordingly.
When you’re looking for work, you must always show your professional side says Nissan’s John Martin. “The world owes you nothing; you must make yourself a compelling hire. Present yourself as a professional and well-educated.”
Nissan’s Rob Martinez.
7. Master your elevator pitch.
Learn how to sell yourself in 60 seconds or less, advises Nissan’s Rob Martinez. “You must be prepared; you have to assume that you’re going to be called. And when you’re called, speak with confidence.”
Nissan’s Cheryl Mayes
8. Give a firm handshake.
“Open your meeting with a handshake,” says Nissan’s Cheryl Mayes. “And make certain that you speak clearly.”
Nissan’s Chandra Vasser.
9. After you get the job, continue to add value to the organization.
After you land the job you want, you can’t afford to slack, warns Nissan’s Chandra Vasser. “I did all sorts of extra things to make sure that I was adding value, and promotions came. All of a sudden, I got the greatest challenge of my career. I thought, wow, Director? It was a happy time and a scary time. They wanted me to leave my function in finance and go into purchasing, [and I thought] if someone else have enough belief in me that I could do this job, then I had to prove them right.”
Nissan’s Rebecca Vest.
10. Be patient with progress.
“I’ve spent 20-something years, from a junior buyer to a buyer, to a manager to a senior manager, to a GM to an AGM, building…and that process takes a long time,” says Vest. “I’m not very patient, I wish it would have happened in three years, but you’ve got to let it happen.”
100 Black Men members, chaperones, Nissan employees and students at the automaker’s plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Note: I’m an indie contractor with The Allen Lewis Agency, and one of their clients is Nissan North America; however, Nissan reps did not edit the content of this post, and I did not receive compensation for it. It’s just a blog folks!