You’re about to learn how to land your dream job as a mediator. I know, it sounds funny. But what’s not funny is the fact that there are few jobs where you can solve disputes, make a living wage and feel like you’re making a positive difference in people’s lives.
In this post, I’ll share how I got my start as a mediator and how you can get started too!
Build Your Credentials
You’re going to need a few things before you can call yourself a mediator:
A degree. You have to have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in psychology or communications. If you already have this, great! If not, go get it. It will pay off later on when you apply for jobs that require more experience than just your high school diploma.
Experience in the field of mediation (or related fields). This is one of the most important parts of building your credentials and should be your top priority when looking for jobs as a mediator.
You don’t necessarily have to serve as an official employee of a non-profit organization or legal firm; however, doing so will give you an edge over those who simply study how to mediate without ever actually doing any mediation work themselves!
A license or certification from an accredited institution can help demonstrate your dedication if it’s required by potential employers but shouldn’t be considered essential unless mandated by local laws – which may vary based on jurisdiction anyway!
Build Your Experience
You can increase your experience and skill set in the following ways:
Volunteer. Mediation organizations are always looking for volunteers with an interest in helping people resolve their disputes. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact a mediation organization near you to see if they have any volunteer opportunities available.
You may be able to participate in one or two sessions per week where all you need to do is observe the mediator at work.
Or perhaps even sit in on mediations as a support person for clients who have special needs or concerns that could affect their ability to take part in a mediation session alone.
Work in related fields such as social work, psychology, law etcetera (i.e., jobs where conflict resolution is key).
This will give you some idea of how these professionals handle conflicts and how they work with clients who may be experiencing emotional distress during the process of resolving conflicts themselves!
It will also help build up confidence when working with others since many people involved during conflict resolution processes can sometimes feel anxious due to the stress that comes along with it all – this includes lawyers too so don’t think only those directly involved get stressed out either!
Build Your Network
Connect with other people in the field. The best way to get your foot in the door is by getting to know someone who knows someone else who could help you land a job.
Think about the connections you’ve made and what role they play in your life. Is there anyone that could open doors for you? If so, reach out and ask!
Stay in touch with old friends, teachers, or family members who may have connections in this field. You never know when an opportunity will present itself if you just keep your eyes peeled for it!
Ask for help when needed – It can be difficult to ask others for help because of pride or fear of rejection but remember that everyone was once new at something too!
Be willing to lend a hand as well – helping others will make them more likely to return the favor down the road when needed so share what knowledge & skillset(s) you might have which could benefit those around you
Build An Impressive Resume
To land your dream job, you’re going to need a resume that shows how qualified you are.
Showcase Your Experience: It’s important to highlight any experience you have in the field of mediation and conflict resolution.
Make sure this information is concise and easy to read. In addition, make sure that you include the level of education required for the position if any that interests you.
Highlight Achievements: Another way to demonstrate why hiring managers should choose you over other applicants is by highlighting achievements within your current or past roles as a mediator or conflict resolution specialist.
For example, if one of your achievements was helping resolve an issue between two coworkers who were at odds with each other, list it on your resume!
If there are no readily available examples from previous positions (e.g., because those positions were short-term), consider sharing something from a volunteer role instead;
Doing so will show how dedicated and responsible an employee/volunteer would be once hired full-time at their dream job with MediateThis Incorporated™
Create A Compelling Cover Letter
A compelling cover letter communicates your skills and experience, as well as your passion for the job. It’s also a place to introduce yourself to the employer in a way that makes them want to meet you in person. Here’s how:
- Start with a strong opening statement that highlights why you’re applying for the position.
- Provide brief overviews of your experience, skills, education, and interests (in other words, tell them what makes you unique).
- Briefly introduce yourself and state why this opportunity will be fulfilling for both parties involved (give them some reasons why they should hire YOU).
- Include a short paragraph about what motivates or inspires you this doesn’t have to be specific; just try to give readers an idea of who they’d be working with if they hired you.
For example: “I’m motivated by helping people solve problems through effective communication.” Or “The prospect of working in such a dynamic field excites me.”
Prepare For The Interview
The interview is your chance to shine and tell the hiring manager why you’re the best candidate for their position. While it may seem like a daunting process, there are ways to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Some tips include:
Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. You want to show them that you have done your research on them as well as their company, so make sure to prepare some questions about both topics.
Prepare answers for potential questions they could ask about you, such as “What are three strengths and weaknesses?” or “What would be your ideal job title?”
Dress appropriately. It can be hard to know what is appropriate when dressing for an interview, especially if it’s one of many in a single day.
If you’re going on multiple interviews in one day or have noticed that this particular interview dress code differs from another position at the same company (e.g., jeans vs suits).
It’s best practice not only to look into what people typically wear but also reach out directly beforehand just in case there were any changes made recently!
Follow Up And Negotiate The Offer
Once you’ve received an offer, it’s a good idea to call the interviewer back. The call allows you to talk about your interest in the job and clarify any details about compensation, benefits, and other terms of employment.
In addition, if you don’t feel comfortable negotiating for yourself or think that one or two numbers on your offer are off-base (e.g., what is supposed to be health insurance coverage).
This is where you can ask questions and negotiate those details with HR or whoever handles these sorts of requests at your prospective employer.
If You’re Willing To Put In The Effort, You Can Land Your Dream Job
Mediation is a rewarding career path. It’s an exciting opportunity for those who don’t shy away from conflict and enjoy helping others resolve their problems.
Being persistent will help you succeed in any career field, but it’s especially important when looking for work as a mediator.
You have to be willing to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to potential employers if and when you see an opening listed on the website or elsewhere online or in print media that interests you.
This may mean attending job fairs, sending resumes and cover letters (or even cold calling), reaching out through social media (Facebook, LinkedIn), or asking friends if they know anyone who would be interested in hiring someone with your background as a mediator.
It’s also important not to lose momentum during this process of finding employment; otherwise, keeping up appearances while looking for employment might become too difficult because staying positive is so important!
Conclusion
In the end, getting a job is just like anything else. You have to put in the work, and you’ll need to be consistent about it.
Don’t worry if things don’t go perfectly at first; just keep trying and learning from your mistakes along the way. The important thing is that you keep up your confidence and don’t give up hope!
