If you haven’t seen NBC’s hit The Voice, here’s how it works. The celebrity judges (Adam Levine, Christina Agulera, Blake Shelton, and CeeLo Green) sit in chairs with their backs toward the contestants. Aspiring stars take the stage and begin singing; the judges will press a buzzer and turn their chairs around if they believe the contestants have a good voice and enough “star quality.”
In a way, this blind audition is like a job application — samples of your work and your resume in front of them. The judges don’t see the person behind the voice; instead, they see an example of talent and choose to turn around based solely on that example. So what can you, as a job seeker, learn from The Voice?
1. Showcase your talent. When attaching samples of your work to your resume, make sure to choose pieces that really show off your skills. Attach multiple examples to show the range of your skills, or pick a particularly challenging example to show your depth. Remember, this is your first impression to hiring managers (along with your resume).
2. Expand your horizons. After the chairs turn, the contestants get to pick which judge’s team to join, based on who turned around. While it seems logical that country singers would flock toward Shelton and pop singers toward Levine or Green, many choose to diversify their training by picking judges in different genres. This is a great way to find a job that will teach you and help you grow. When applying, choose industries that might not seem like obvious fits but still cater to your talents. For example, if you’re looking for a public relations job, look at small financial advisors or nonprofits in different industries — chances are they need PR help but aren’t sure where to find it. You’ll get lots of experience as part of a much smaller team, and you can learn a little about the industry to expand your range on your resume.
3. Believe in yourself. Sometimes the contestants who make the final cut aren’t the best singers, but they are familiar with their own range and willing to take risks. Keep in mind that no one else will believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. Walk into interviews with confidence. Prepare beforehand to avoid mumbling or stumbling over answers. Hold your head high and strut your stuff like a true The Voice star. You are awesome and you deserve this job!
While we can’t all have a Christina Agulera or Blake Shelton encouraging us along the way, we can remember what they would say if they were there. You are smart, talented, and worthy of being hired. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to a new job!
How would your resume and work samples stack up in the blind auditions?
