Do dreadlocks hinder your search for your dream job? They may or may not. It all depends on your mind-set and approach to the job search. You need strong desire, a commitment to succeed, and determination to do what it takes to get the job or career you want.

Never judge yourself negatively because of your dreadlocks. More than anything else, they should empower you to excel and succeed in all of your endeavors including finding the job of your dreams.

Take a moment and think about the job you want. Get a job description and imagine you with your dreadlocks in that position. Write down three compelling reasons you want this job or career. With living expenses, list heartfelt dreams and goals this job will help you achieve. Make it a habit of reading your reasons often. This helps to keep you motivated.

Approach the search for your dream job as a full-time job. Do something every day such as scanning online job sites, reading the classifieds in local papers, and working on your resumes. Create a job searching to-do list every night or early morning.

Be relentless in searching for the job you’ll enjoy and bring you satisfaction. There are many people with dreadlocks happily employed in jobs they love having and doing. Get advice from them on how they got their jobs.

Before you embark on the search of your dream job, do a present reality check. Do you have the needed experience, skills, certification, or college degree for the job? If not, figure out a way to get them. Take courses online, enroll at a local college, or take a job close to the one you want to gain experience.

Here are 5 steps to help guarantee success in finding the job of your dreams with dreadlocks.

1. Create a Personal Work Profile

- Get a notepad or open the word processor on your computer and make a list of every job and place of employment. Make sure the name, addresses, and phone numbers are accurate. Keep detailed list of employment dates and salaries.

- List your professional skills and learning experiences. Include degrees, certifications, completed training courses, seminars, and self- taught skills.

- Add accomplishments, goals achieved, and responsibilities of previous positions. Computer skills are important. Note the type of computer and software you are experienced in.

- Get references from previous employers and co-workers. Give each one a call to verify use of names, addresses, phone numbers, and availability.

2. Write a Winning Resume

- Use the information from your Personal Work Profile to create a professional resume. Get samples from the Internet, bookstores, and libraries to create effective resumes, cover letters, references, and salary history. Ask a friend or relative with the job you want to review or compare resumes.

- Create electronic copies of your resumes for sending by e-mail and posting on Internet jobsites. The two most popular forms are Microsoft Word documents and Adobe PDF.

- Keep copies of your resume with you at all times. Store them in a folder, flash drive, briefcase, car, and secretly on a computer at work. You should always be ready to hand-deliver, mail, or e-mail your resume immediately.

3. Post or Send Resumes Weekly

- Post your resumes to employment websites such as Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, local newspaper websites, and company websites.

- Send out five to ten resumes a week every week. Make sure you follow up to ensure the targeted company received your resume. If you’ve haven’t heard back from the company, call or e-mail to verify they did receive your resume. Also, you can let them know you’re still interested in the job or position.

- Keep a log with the company name, address, date, contact person, and follow-up dates.

4. Network Online and Offline

- Practice TTP (Talk To People). Broadcast the job you’re seeking to anyone and everyone you know. Strike up conversations at grocery stores, school, church, parks, or anywhere people gather. Attend job fairs, business functions, seminars, and happy hours (try not to get too happy, your purpose is to network).

- Take part in online chat rooms and discussion forums. Many are hosted by professional associations in the field or industry of the job you’re seeking. You can also find job postings and other career opportunities.

5. Keep a Positive Professional Image

- Set aside one good suit for interviews. Find a place to keep starched shirts, pressed suits, and shined shoes. If possible, keep interviewing clothes in a travel bag in the car.

- Groom your dreadlocks. For men, make sure your beard, mustaches, sideburns, and edges are neat. Most importantly, make sure your dreadlocks are clean and fresh. Tie your dreadlocks behind your head with a black hair band.

Women can be more flexible since most companies consider long dreadlocks a female hairstyle. In either case, always try to present a professional image with your dreadlocks. Before interviews, visit a loctician or image consultant to get ideas on how to create a business hairstyle with dreadlocks.

- Record an informative message on the answering machine and cell phone. Write a script, rehearse it, and record it several times until it’s perfect. Make sure you state your name slowly and clear. Call potential employers back as soon as you hear the message.

- Practice interview sessions. Think of potential questions the employer may ask and rehearse your answers. Spend time in front of a mirror critiquing how you sit, your tone of voice, and eye to eye contact.

Send a thank you note immediately after every interview preferably the next morning by mail or e-mail.

Most important in looking for your dream job with dreadlocks is preparation. As inventor George Washington Carver says, “It is better to be prepared and not have an opportunity than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”

Last, but not least, be bold, positive, confident, and daring. Letting your confidence show wins many points with the interviewer. If you have the right skills, groom your dreadlocks, and keep a positive professional appearance, you should be well on the way to your dream job.

Image taken on 2009-09-28 14:16:13. Image Source. (Used with permission)