Hashtag Hip Hop 101: Your Ticket to A Job

Well, it’s a little more complicated than donning gaudy wigs or over-batting your eyelashes like a Barbie on ‘roids.  Your ticket to a paycheck can be found in the form of “hashtag rap.”  Think about it: how many times were you denied employment because “rapper” wasn’t a skill set on your resume?  That many, huh?

Employers want to know upfront why you’re the right candidate for the job and if you haven’t already mastered the skill of get-to-the-point communication, take a page out of these rappers’ books.  You’ll not only be swimming in dough quicker than you can say Kanye West, you’ll be giving birth to genius lines like “…coming off the top — asbestos.”

Hashtag rap, a phenomenon made popular by artists like Minaj and Drake, simply leaves out the “like” or “as” from a simile or metaphor:

“Here’s another hit — Barry Bonds.” – West
“Coming down the street like a parade — Macy’s.” – Ludacris
“Two thumbs up — Ebert and Roeper.” – Drake

Get the point?

Now, try applying this to your resume.  Gone are the days of peppering your resume and cover letter with fancy words and elaborate details.  You’ll save tons of space and say way more than you can imagine if you utilize key phrases like:

“Direct calls – India.”
“Work really fast – Amtrak.”
“Always prepared — Girl Scout.”

Of course, you’ll have to cater these to the job you’re applying to, but the more relevant your tag, the better off you’ll be.

The interview is where things can get a little tricky.  Speaking in incomplete sentences may not appeal to an employer and can prove difficult in the comprehension department.  So be sure to dig deep and summon the gusto of your favorite rapper to make the words flow:

“Hit real hard — Venus and Serena.”
“Always on time — Domino’s Pizza.”

The most impressive rappers never break flow, no matter what they rhyme about.  This is also the perfect time to state your salary requirements:

“Make tons of dough — Oprah Winfrey.”

And list your felony status:

“Never been to jail — Lindsay Lohan.”

Not only will your interviewer be impressed by your skills, he or she will be thoroughly entertained.  And at the end of the day, your rapping skills will set you apart from your fellow competitors.

Good luck and happy hashtagging!

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