Workplace

Want to land a new job? Simply act like a contestant on the hit cooking show, Top Chef.

Recruiters say that getting a great job requires the same skills as whipping up a delicious meal. So, here are the job hunting tips from Top Chef: 

• First: Work from a recipe. Chefs don’t just start blindly cooking, hoping that they’ll create something delicious. Instead, they stick to a detailed, pre-tested recipe. So, experts say write down your “dream job recipe” - Like a company that offers flextime, or a position with room to grow. Then, focus your search on jobs that match your wishlist. 

• Another job hunting tip from Top Chef: Use fresh ingredients. Common kitchen wisdom is the fresher the ingredients, the tastier the dish. So, make sure your job search “ingredients” aren’t past their expiration date - like your resume and cover letter. Instead, constantly update them with any new info that’ll make you more marketable, like recent volunteer work. 

• Then, beef up your presentation skills. Experts say that on Top Chef, the difference between a winning and losing dish often comes down to how the food looks. So, make sure you always present yourself like a perfectly plated dish. That means, a spotless resume, and dressing professionally for interviews and networking events, even evening mixers.  

• And the top job hunting lesson from Top Chef: Be open to feedback. On the show, contestants who don’t act on constructive criticism from the judges are sent home. So, ask friends and colleagues to be brutally honest on everything from your resume, to your interviewing style. That way, when you’re in an actual interview, you’ll get nothing but four-star reviews.