5 Job Hunting Tips from Batman

By Josh Tolan
If there’s one thing the caped crusader knows, it’s how to get a job done. So why not turn to Batman for some helpful job hunting tips? After all, if he can clean up the streets of Gotham, cleaning up a resume should be no problem.

He’s certainly been cleaning up at the box office. The Dark Knight Rises, director Christopher Nolan’s final chapter in his Batman trilogy, earned a staggering 160 million over its opening weekend. The film already beat the impressive 158 million record its predecessor The Dark Knight set back in 2008.

It might seem silly, but superheroes can tell us a lot about perseverance in the face of tough obstacles. With unemployment holding steady at 8.2 percent and more job seekers flooding the applicant pool for every open position, some superheroics might be necessary. Here are some job hunting tips we can take from the Batman himself courtesy of The Dark Knight Rises (non-spoilery of course!):

Never Give Up

As The Dark Knight Rises begins, it’s eight years since Batman has gone out of commission after the events of The Dark Knight. After a truly terrible run of luck with Harvey Dent and the Joker, millionaire Bruce Wayne hung up his bat cowl for good to become a recluse.

With the high rate of unemployment and the dismal June jobs report, it would be easy to do the same when it comes to your job search. It might seem like hope is lost and you’re sending out resumes into a void. Just because you’re disheartened, however, doesn’t mean there isn’t a perfect job out there for you. Just like Bruce Wayne never gave up on the city of Gotham, you can’t give up on your job search.

Don’t Turn Your Back On Your Network
Once Bruce Wayne hung up his superhero suit, he also disconnected from his friends. Commissioner Gordon and his colleagues at Wayne Enterprises hadn’t seen the millionaire in ages. Even trusty butler Alfred was tested to the limits of his patience by Bruce.

As a job seeker, your network is vitally important. These are the people who can point you to great opportunities and help you find hidden gems. You want to cultivate these individuals by keeping in contact and lending them assistance. After all, networking is a two-way street. If you help them, when the time comes they might help you by letting you know of an unposted position at their company you would be perfect for. Just like Batman’s friends were there for him when he needed them, your network can’t be ignored.

Watch Your Online Presence
Catwoman Selina Kyle knows a thing or two about the importance of your online breadtrail. After a life of petty crime and theft, Selina wants a clean slate. That’s easier said than done, however, especially with the Internet cataloging your every move.

You don’t need to be a cat burglar to worry about your online presence. A whopping 92 percent of all employers will check out your online footprint during the hiring process. This means it’s time to take down those kegstand pictures from college and put up a nice professional headshot. Social media can be an important tool in the job hunt when used correctly. Since you can’t wipe the slate clean, put out your own online messages. Upload an impressive video resume or start an industry-specific blog. Use the online space to show employers why they should hire you, instead of why they shouldn’t.

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