The HIAPy Guide To Finding Work by Hillary Rettig

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TITLE Its Not You, Its Your Strategy: The HIAPy Guide to Finding Work in a Tough o! "arket
!y Hi##ary $ettig %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o( hi##aryrettig)yahoo&'o(
*E$SI+N INF+$"ATI+N , *ersion -&- re#eased -./.01 A2TH+$SHIP

This !ook is !y Hi##ary $ettig, %hose other !ooks in'#ude The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way 3Lantern 4ooks, 50067 and The Little Guide To Beating Procrastination, Perfectionis , !ears and Bloc"s: A Guide for Artists, Acade ics, Activists, #ntre$reneurs and %ther A &itious 'rea ers 3do%n#oada!#e 8or 8ree at %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o(7& I a( a 4oston9!ased 'oa'h %ho has he#:ed hundreds o8 :eo:#e around the 'ountry use their ti(e !etter; o<er'o(e :ro'rastination, :er8e'tionis( and !#o'ks; and 'reate (ore satis8ying 'areers& For (ore in8or(ation on (e and (y %ork, :#ease <isit (y We!site or e(ai# (e at hi##aryrettig)yahoo&'o(&
P$EFA=E , ITS N+T Y+2, ITS Y+2$ ST$ATEGY

$e'ent#y, a 'o88ee date %ith a 8riend took a serious turn as he des:ondent#y narrated the saga o8 his #atest 8ai#ure to get hired, and then the %ho#e story o8 his :ast t%o years o8 une(:#oy(ent& It %as a 8a(i#iar story o8 resu(es not a'kno%#edged, te#e:hone 'a##s not returned, and so(e e>'ru'iating near (isses %here he had gotten to the 8ina# round o8 inter<ie%s !ut %asnt hired& ?I need you to te## (e %hats %rong %ith (e,@ he 8ina##y said, his 8a'e strained& ?Why I( not getting hired&@ It %as a !ra<e reAuest& Not (any o8 us are %i##ing to #ay our 8ai#ures out on the ta!#e 8or so(eone e#se to ins:e't and 'ritiAue& So I gri##ed hi( on the detai#s: %hat Bo!s he had a::#ied 8or, ho% he had 8ound out a!out the(, %hat :ro'ess he had used to a::#y, %ho( he had he used as re8eren'es, et'& And this is %hat I 'on'#uded: there %as nothing %rong %ith (y 8riend& Nothing& There %as, in 8a't, a #ot right %ith hi(& He %as a :resenta!#e, :ersona!#e indi<idua# %ith so#id
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'redentia#s and a #ot o8 interesting %ork e>:erien'e& What %as %rong %as his strategy& He %asnt a::#ying 8or Bo!s e88e'ti<e#y& He %as (aking, in 8a't, a #ot o8 the (istakes I dis'uss in this e!ook& I8 he 'orre'ts those, and 8o##o%s the strategy I out#ine in Part II, he shou#d ha<e a (u'h !etter 'han'e o8 getting hired (o<ing 8or%ard& The odds are that, i8 you<e !een une(:#oyed a %hi#e, youre a#so %a#king around %ondering %hats %rong %ith you , !ut theres a good 'han'e that, the sa(e as %ith (y 8riend, the :ro!#e( isnt %ith you, !ut your strategy& Strategies 'an !e 'hanged, so take heart and kee: reading& This e!ook 8o'uses on the 8oundationa# a'ti<ities and strategies under#ying a su''ess8u# Bo! sear'h, !ut does not in'#ude in8or(ation on ta'ti's 3e&g&, ho% to inter<ie% or %rite a resu(e7, :art#y !e'ause that in8or(ation is %ide#y a<ai#a!#e e#se%here& I8 theres su88i'ient interest, ho%e<er, I## %rite the ta'ti's !ook #ater on& 4e'ause a #ot o8 this !ook 8o'uses on (istakes you yourse#8 (ight !e (aking , on the :re(ise that that is the (ost 8ruit8u# area o8 dis'ussion, sin'e your o%n :er8or(an'e is so(ething you 'an 'ontro# and i(:ro<e , I %ant to !e <ery '#ear that I do understand that the 2&S& e'ono(y is in a <ery !ad state and good Bo!s 'an !e hard to 8ind& And yet, the good Bo!s are o8ten out there, !ut :eo:#e sa!otage their e88orts to %in the(& That is the :ro!#e( I 8o'us on in this !ook, and that I ho:e to he#: you so#<e, !ut :#ease do not think I underesti(ate the di88i'u#ties and :ain o8 8inding %ork in a %eak e'ono(y& I %rote this e!ook to he#: :eo:#e, and a#so to :ro(ote (y 'oa'hing and %orksho: !usiness& I8, a8ter reading it, you !e#ie<e you or so(eone e#se 'ou#d !ene8it 8ro( (y 'oa'hing, or you kno% o8 an organiCation that 'ou#d host one o8 (y %orksho:s on, 3-7 8inding %ork, 357 ti(e (anage(ent, 3D7 o<er'o(ing :ro'rastination, or 3E7 entre:reneurshi:, :#ease e(ai# (e at hi##aryrettig)yahoo&'o( and I## send you (ore in8or(ation& And thanksF I %e#'o(e a## 'o((ents on this !ook, and es:e'ia##y suggestions 8or i(:ro<ing the ne>t edition& P#ease e(ai# the( to (e at hi##aryrettig)yahoo&'o( & Hi##ary
TEGT N+TES
I use the %ords ?'andidate,@ ?a::#i'ant@ and ?Bo! sear'her@ inter'hangea!#y to re8er to the :erson #ooking 8or %ork& I use the %ord ?hirer@ (ain#y to re8er to the :erson (aking the i((ediate de'ision on the
'andidates a::#i'ation , i&e&, the :erson s'reening resu(es, inter<ie%ing, or (aking the 8ina# hiring de'ision& And I use the %ord ?e(:#oyer@ (ain#y to re8er to the organiCation doing the hiring& So(eti(es, ho%e<er, I use the %ords ?'o(:any@ or ?organiCation@ to re8er to the organiCation& P#ease note that, e<en %hen I use the %ord ?'o(:any,@ I a( a#%ays re8erring to a## ty:es o8 e(:#oyers, in'#uding s(a## !usinesses, #arge !usinesses, non:ro8it organiCations and go<ern(ent agen'ies, un#ess I s:e'i8y other%ise& I use the %ord ?a::#i'ation@ so(eti(es to re8er to the 8or( the hirer %ants 8i##ed out, !ut (ore o8ten to re8er to the entire Bo!9a::#i'ation :ro'ess& I use the gender :ronouns inter'hangea!#y and rando(#y& Footnotes and 'itations %i## !e 8ound at the end o8 ea'h 'ha:ter& A## :ersona# and 'o(:any na(es used in this !ook are 8i'titious, and I ha<e 'hanged identi8ying detai#s on so(e 'ase studies&
WA$$ANTY
The in8or(ation in this !ook is :resented %ithout %arranty o8 any kind& It has he#:ed (any :eo:#e, and it is (y sin'ere %ish that it he#: you, !ut I o!<ious#y 'ant a''e:t res:onsi!i#ity 8or any negati<e resu#t you 8ee# you (ay ha<e o!tained 8ro( using it& I8 you are su88ering 8ro( an>iety, de:ression, addi'tion or any other :sy'ho#ogi'a# or :hysi'a# 'ondition, :#ease seek :ro8essiona# he#: !e8ore 8o##o%ing the ad<i'e herein&
LI=ENSE
This !ook is #i'ensed under the =reati<e =o((ons Attri!ution9Non'o((er'ia#9Share A#ike D&0 #i'ense Hhtt::..'reati<e'o((ons&org.#i'enses.!y9n'9sa.D&0.us.I, %hi'h (eans you are in<ited to 'o:y, a#ter and distri!ute it non'o((er'ia##y so #ong as you :reser<e the a!o<e Tit#e, *ersion, Authorshi:, Pre8a'e, Te>t, and Warranty in8or(ation, as %e## as this Li'ense state(ent& 3I ho:e so(eone de'ides to trans#ate it into other #anguagesF7 I8 you 'hoose to distri!ute your a#tered <ersion to others, you (ust :er(it the( the sa(e 8reedo( to 'o:y, a#ter and distri!ute non'o((er'ia##y, and they (ust :reser<e the sa(e reAuired in8or(ation& For (ore detai#s see htt::..'reati<e'o((ons&org.#i'enses.!y9n'9sa.D&0.us.&
TA4LE +F =+NTENTS
PA$T I& F+2NJATI+NAL A=TI*ITIES -& Ho% 2ne(:#oy(ent Stinks: Let "e =ount the Ways&&& 5& I8 You Need He#:, Get He#: D& Pra'ti'e +:ti(is(
E& Yes, There are Good 3or, at #east, +kay7 o!s +ut There K& Negotia!#e and +:tiona# o! ?$eAuire(ents@ 6& +n Pi'kiness and 4iases /& +n Fear, Pro'rastination, and Not Getting Stu'k 1& When You JonLt Like Your +:tions M& Yes, Youre E(:#oya!#e -0& In<est in La<ish Se#89=are --& =reate a Su::orti<e =o((unity -5& =reate Ti(e -D& 4e Fruga# PA$T II& A +49SEA$=H ST$ATEGY THAT W+$NS -E& 1KO -K& =o(:eting %ith the ?Fa! -KO@ -6& HIAP <s& Wi##y9Ni##y -/& Jo it Like Jud#ey -1& HIAP P Enthusias( Q Sa8ety -M& HIAP P Enthusias( Q a Fe% Good LAFS 50& HIAP P Enthusias( Q the "agi' Wand 5-& Jo it Like Jud#ey 3Part II7 55& Jetai#s =ount , In'redi!#yF 5D& Ri: to ItF 5E& S'anners 3and E(ai#ers and Fa>ers7 Li<e in *ain: Why Te'hno#ogy Isnt Ne'essari#y Your Friend 5K& ?Te'hni'a# Ski##s@ SQ ?So8t Ski##s@ P 4usiness Sa<<y 56& Jont =o((oditiCe Yourse#8 5/& The =ru'ia# I(:ortan'e o8 Fra(ing E:i#ogue APPENJIG I& Arti'#e on =o:ing %ith $eBe'tion APPENJIG II& Arti'#e on Finding, and Working With, "entors APPENJIG III& Arti'#e on So#<ing Pro!#e(s <s& Jithering And a%ay %e go&&&
PA$T I& F+2NJATI+NAL A=TI*ITIES

-& Ho% 2ne(:#oy(ent Stinks: Let "e =ount the Ways&&& 2ne(:#oy(ent is a#(ost a#%ays a horri!#e e>:erien'e: de(ora#iCing, de:ressing and disorienting& We tend to :unish ourse#<es harsh#y 8or our ?8ai#ure,@ 8ee#ing #ots o8 sha(e and
gui#t, and so(eti(es others , e<en 8a(i#y and 8riends , :unish us as %e##& G& & "eyers 8antasti' !ook #(ecutive Blues: 'own and %ut in Cor$orate A erica 3Frank#in SAuare Press, -MMK7 o88ers the !est narrati<e I<e read o8 %hat its #ike to !e une(:#oyed and strugg#ing to 8ind %ork& He says he e>:erien'ed sho'k, resent(ent, 8ear, en<y, se#89:ity and sha(e during a se<era#9year s:an o8 inter(ittent une(:#oy(ent: a dread8u# #ist& Heres %hat he says a!out the sho'k, en<y and sha(e: Sho'k& ?4one9ratt#ing sho'k at 8inding (yse#8, 8or the 8irst ti(e sin'e the %eek I graduated 8ro( grade s'hoo#, %ithout a :#a'e in the %or#d o8 %orkTI %a#ked the streets in an a#(ost tran'e#ike state, 8ee#ing #ike I %as %a#king on the !otto( o8 the sea, 'ut o88 8ro( e<erything around (e and not #ike other :eo:#e any (ore&@ En<y& ?I8 en<y 'aused 'an'er Id !e dead !y Sunday&@ Sha(e& ?I( asha(ed in t%o %ays& +n a si(:#e #e<e# I( asha(ed o8 (yse#8 8or !eing out o8 %ork, 8or getting (y 8a(i#y into su'h a 8i>TI( asha(ed o8 (yse#8 8or #osing& When I hear the guy ne>t door start his 'ar in the (orning and dri<e a%ay, I( asha(ed to sti## !e in !ed& I( asha(ed to rake #ea<es on %eekday a8ternoons !e'ause e<eryone in the neigh!orhood %i## see , as i8 they didnt a#ready kno% , that I dont ha<e an o88i'e to go to any(ore& ?The other sha(e is dee:er, and, I think, (ore i(:ortantTIn so(e %ays this se'ond sha(e 'o(es :eri#ous#y '#ose to se#89#oathing& Ask yourse#8: ho% are %e su::osed to rea't %hen !ad things ha::enU E<ery!ody kno%s the ans%er& The good and the strong rea't 'a#(#y, 'heer8u##y, 'on8ident#y, !ra<e#yTso, %hats %rong %ith (eU@ Adding to the !urden o8 "eyer and other une(:#oyed :eo:#e is the 8a't that , due to o<er%ork, or :#ain o#d un'aring or in'i<i#ity , #ots o8 hirers treat une(:#oyed :eo:#e !ad#y& "eyer des'ri!es the garden9<ariety snu!s, #ike not getting 'a##s returned or resu(es a'kno%#edged, %hi'h indi<idua##y (ay not !e so signi8i'ant !ut %hi'h rea##y %ear you do%n a8ter doCens or hundreds o8 re:etitions& And he a#so des'ri!es so(e tru#y 'a##ous and hurt8u# !eha<ior, su'h as the ti(e a hirer had hi( 8#y out to Ne% York 8or a Bo! inter<ie%, then stood hi( u:& Writes "eyer: ?In Ed<ard "un'hs :ainting The S'rea(, a so#itary, e(:ty9eyed 8igure stands in a road%ay '#ut'hing its head, (outh o:en %ide& I ho:e thats not %hat I #ook #ike as I %a#k the streets o8 "anhattan during the ne>t se<era# hours, seeing and hearing nothing, %aiting 8or it to !e ti(e to return to LaGuardia& 4ut its ho% I 8ee#& Without (aking a sound I s'rea( a## the %ay !a'k to Wis'onsin&@ VVVYour 8irst Bo! as an une(:#oyed :erson is not to #ook 8or %ork, !ut to #earn to 'o:e %ith une(:#oy(ent&VVV Thats !e'ause: 3-7 you deser<e to 8ee# :ea'e and se#89res:e't e<en %hen une(:#oyed; and 357 de:ression, dis'ourage(ent, anger, an>iety, 8ear, sha(e, gui#t and other negati<e e(otions 'an under(ine your Bo! sear'h& I8 une(:#oy(ent is !ringing you do%n, e<en %ay do%n, dont %aste ti(e 8ee#ing !ad a!out that , su'h 8ee#ings are entire#y understanda!#e , !ut 8o##o% the ad<i'e o88ered in =ha:ters 5 , -D a!out seeking he#: and taking 'are o8 yourse#8& Its a#so i(:ortant to understand Va##V the 'auses o8 your une(:#oy(ent so you dont 8ee# undeser<ed sha(e or gui#t& In (y e>:erien'e, 8e% :eo:#e get #aid o88 or 8ired entire#y, or e<en #arge#y, due to their o%n 8au#t& As I %rite this, the go<ern(ent has 8ina##y a'kno%#edged , at #east a year #ate , that the 2&S& e'ono(y is in a re'ession&- In su'h an e'ono(y you 'ou#d
!e a 8a!u#ous %orker and sti## #ose your Bo!& E<en assu(ing you %ere #aid o88 or 8ired 8or (ore :ersona# reasons, ho%e<er, you sti## need to go easy on yourse#8& Sure, you (ay ha<e s're%ed u:: thats :art o8 !eing hu(an and 8a##i!#e& I8 youre #ike (any good :eo:#e, ho%e<er, youre :ro!a!#y taking %ay too (u'h o8 the !#a(e on yourse#8& =han'es are, there %ere e#e(ents in your %ork situation that %ere !eyond your 'ontro# and (ade su''ess di88i'u#t, i8 not i(:ossi!#e& =ha:ter 5 dis'usses those, and the :ro:er 'ourse o8 a'tion& N+TE -& htt::..%%%&e:i&org.'ontent&'8(.%e!8eaturesWe'onindi'atorsWBo!s:i'tW5001-50K 5& I8 You Need He#:, Get He#: As G& & "eyer e#oAuent#y e>:resses, une(:#oy(ent is a huge#y stress8u# and de(ora#iCing e>:erien'e that 'an under(ine e<en strong and 'on8ident :eo:#e& I8 youre e>:erien'ing de:ression or serious dis'ourage(ent, anger, 8ear or another de!i#itating e(otion, or i8 your une(:#oy(ent is da(aging your re#ationshi:s or en'ouraging an addi'tion, :#ease seek :ro(:t he#: 8ro( a thera:ist, 'ounse#or or other trained (enta# hea#th :ro8essiona#& It is not a sign o8 %eakness to do so, !ut a sign o8 strength and %isdo(& I8 you need he#:, get he#: , as Aui'k#y as :ossi!#e& 3Why :ut o88 8ee#ing !etterU7 And i8 youre ?on the 8en'e@ a!out %hether to go to thera:y, you :ro!a!#y need it& Go out and get a 8e% sessions& I8 the 8irst 3or se'ond or third&&&7 thera:ist you 'onsu#t is a dud, kee: #ooking unti# you 8ind one %hos a good 8it& A good thera:ist 'an (ake a## the di88eren'e not Bust in your (ood, !ut in your a!i#ity to 8ind %ork, so its %orth %orking to 8ind one& I8 you 'ant a88ord a thera:ist, ask a!out a s#iding s'a#e dis'ount or 'hea:er grou: sessions& 3I8 you ha<e hea#th insuran'e, re(e(!er that (any :o#i'ies do no% 'o<er so(e thera:y&7 I8 not, 'a## so(e non:ro8it agen'ies and see i8 they o88er 8ree or 'hea: 'ounse#ing& Genera##y s:eaking, ho%e<er, I %ou#d suggest 'utting !a'k on other things i8 at a## :ossi!#e and seeing the !est thera:ist you 'an& A!out A!usi<e Work:#a'es A#so seek :ro(:t he#: i8 your #ast %ork situation ended !ad#y& +ne thing I<e #earned 8ro( years o8 'oa'hing is that e<en (any ordinary9#ooking %ork en<iron(ents are :sy'ho#ogi'a##y da(aging, and e<en trau(atiCing& Ha<ing to to#erate stress, :ressure, 'haos, dise(:o%er(ent, or harsh or un8air treat(ent 8or E0 hours 3or e<en D0 or 50 or -07 ea'h %eek 'an rea##y under(ine you, :arti'u#ar#y i8 the situation goes on 8or years& Jitto 8or routine#y ha<ing your i(:ortant needs ignored: ?Sorry your kid is si'k, !ut %e sti## need you to 'o(e in today&@ We tend to dis'ount these stressors !e'ause they are so 'o((on and see( intrinsi' to %ork#i8e, !ut %e shou#dnt& 3And, !y the %ay, there are :#enty o8 %ork:#a'es that arent stress8u#, :ressured, 'haoti', un'aring, et'&7
"any :eo:#e 'arry around a huge !urden o8 sha(e a!out so(e in'ident in their %ork history& "ay!e they didnt 8inish a :roBe't, didnt hand#e a 'on8#i't %e##, (issed an o::ortunity, or %ere 8ired& +8ten the sha(e and gui#t :ersist years and e<en de'ades a8ter the in'ident itse#8, eroding the :ersons se#89'on8iden'e and 'o(:ro(ising his a!i#ity to !ui#d a strong 'areer& When I re<ie% and ana#yCe su'h negati<e e>:erien'es %ith :eo:#e, ho%e<er, it a#(ost a#%ays !e'o(es '#ear that they strugg#ed heroi'a##y to su''eed in a situation %here su''ess %as i(:ossi!#e& "ay!e they %erent gi<en the resour'es they needed, or there %ere 'on8#i'ting goa#s, or there %as 'haos, or their %ork and ho(e res:onsi!i#ities %ere in'o(:ati!#e& 4ut the 8ai#ure %as ine<ita!#y !#a(ed on the(: ?ine<ita!#y@ !e'ause a!usi<e %ork:#a'es a#(ost a#%ays !#a(e the <i'ti(& I8 su'h a !ad e:isode is haunting your %ork history and eroding your se#89'on8iden'e, :#ease %ork to ana#yCe it o!Be'ti<e#y and 'o(:assionate#y& Possi!#y you didnt do your <ery !est, !ut are you e>aggerating your ro#e in the 8ai#ureU 3And :erha:s the s'o:e and seriousness o8 the 8ai#ure itse#8U7 Jid others assign you (ore !#a(e than you rea##y deser<eU You (ay !e a!#e to do this ana#ysis yourse#8 <ia Bourna#ing, !ut it is !etter to do it %ith an o!Be'ti<e and 'o(:assionate thera:ist, (entor or 8riend& +8 'ourse, i8 you<e !een in a rea##y a!usi<e %ork:#a'e, %ith e(otiona# a!use, <er!a# a!use, se>ua# harass(ent, dis'ri(ination, et'&, then you rea##y need to seek thera:y as soon as :ossi!#e& 3And (ay!e #ega# he#:&7 I( not saying a## %ork:#a'es are har(8u# or a!usi<e , on#y that (any (ore are than :eo:#e think& VVVAnd its o8ten the !est :eo:#e , those %ho 'are (ost, try hardest to (aintain an ethi'a# standard, and %ork hardest to !a#an'e their %ork and ho(e res:onsi!i#ities , %ho %ind u: su88ering and !#a(ing the(se#<es (ost&VVV So, :#ease: i8 you think you need to see a thera:ist or 'ounse#or, do so& This ad<i'e a#so a::#ies to other re#e<ant :ro8essiona#s& I8 you need a 'areer 'oa'h or resu(e %riter , or e<en i8 you think you do , then :#ease see one& I8 you 'ant a88ord one, see i8 you Aua#i8y 8or 8ree or 'hea: ser<i'es <ia a #o'a# non:ro8it, or try !artering& 3I8 you dont ha<e anyone to !arter %ith, try ad<ertising on 'raigs#ist&org or ti(e!anks&org&7 Whether you :ay, !arter or re'ei<e 8ree ser<i'es, :#ease %ork to 8ind the !est he#: you 'an& As I (entioned in Pre8a'e 5, theres a #ot o8 !ad ad<i'e out there, and that !ad ad<i'e 'an rea##y s're% you u:& To: Aua#ity ad<i'e and su::ort, in 'ontrast, 'an o8ten he#: you get a good Bo! 8aster and (ore easi#y than you (ight ha<e !e#ie<ed :ossi!#e& D& Pra'ti'e +:ti(is( I kno% I( asking a #ot, es:e'ia##y i8 you<e !een a ?g#ass ha#8 e(:ty@ :erson your %ho#e #i8e& 4ut :essi(is( is going to hurt your 'han'es o8 getting a Bo!& A :essi(ist en'ounters an o!sta'#e during his Bo! sear'h and i((ediate#y thinks: ?This 'ant !e so#<ed&@ An o:ti(ist en'ounters an o!sta'#e and i((ediate#y thinks, ?There (ust !e a so#ution& Lets #ook 8or it&@
The :ro!#e( %ith the :essi(ists attitude is that there are usua##y #ots o8 o!sta'#es , #ots o8 'on8usion, 8a#se #eads, dis'ourage(ent, reBe'tion, et'& , in a Bo! sear'h& I8 you o<errea't to the(, you rea##y di(inish your odds o8 su''ess& Another %ay to :ut it is that :essi(ists turns (o#ehi##s into (ountains, %hi#e o:ti(ists turn (o#ehi##s into anthi##s& And, guess %hat: the o:ti(ist is a#(ost a#%ays right, in a Bo!9sear'h 'onte>t and (any others& I8 you 'an a<oid :ani'king, the (o#ehi##s o8ten do re<ea# the(se#<es to !e s(a## and easi#y o<er'o(e& As (y tea'her erry Wein!erg says, ?The :ro!#e( isnt the :ro!#e(& The :ro!#e( is your rea'tion to the :ro!#e(&@ Pessi(is( and o:ti(is( tend to !e se#898u#8i##ing :ro:he'ies& Pessi(ists not on#y assu(e :ro!#e(s are unso#<a!#e; they tend to see the %or#d as a harsh :#a'e de<oid o8 he#:, and thus they dont seek he#:& +:ti(ists, on the other hand, kno% that :ro!#e(s are so#<a!#e and that :eo:#e genera##y %ant to he#:& And so they go out #ooking 8or he#: , on We!sites, at (eetings, through re#ati<es, or %hi#e on #ine at the su:er(arket , and o8ten 8ind it& The :essi(ist #earns o8 so(eone %ho (ight he#: hi( in his Bo! sear'h and thinks, ?Why %ou#d that :erson ta#k to (eU What do I ha<e to o88er herU@ And, ?She :ro!a!#y doesnt ha<e the in8or(ation I need, any%ay: it %ou#d !e a %aste o8 ti(e to 'onta't her&@ The o:ti(ist assu(es that, not on#y is there a good 'han'e that the :erson %i## he#: hi(, !ut that she a#so has at #east so(e use8u# in8or(ation to share , %hi'h, again, is usua##y the 'ase& In the #ast 'ha:ter, I ad<ised you to get thera:y i8 you need it to 'o:e %ith the stresses o8 une(:#oy(ent& A :essi(ist (ight read that 'ha:ter and say, ?I ha<e no (oney, and thera:y is Bust a %aste o8 ti(e, any%ay&@ An o:ti(ist, in 'ontrast, (ight say, ?We##, I ha<e no (oney, and I( a !it ske:ti'a#, !ut %hat do I ha<e to #oseU 4esides, (y 8riend To( said that thera:y rea##y he#:ed hi( %hen he %as une(:#oyed& +kay, I guess I## 'a## u: To(s thera:ist and see i8 he o88ers a s#iding s'a#e or 'an re'o((end so(eone %ho does&@ E<en i8 youre not !y nature an o:ti(isti' :erson, at #east try to a't o:ti(isti'a##y during your Bo! sear'h& 4y doing so, you (ight e<en start to 8ee# o:ti(isti', es:e'ia##y on'e you #earn that (any :eo:#e rea##y are %i##ing to he#:& Here, 8ro( a 8antasti' )ew Yor" Ti es arti'#e entit#ed The Language o8 Loss 8or the o!#ess5, is o:ti(is( in :ra'ti'e: ?XI understand youre sorry, so a( I, !ut that doesnt do (e any good, "r& Ad#er, %ho starts :aying 'o##ege tuition this 8a##, is te##ing those o88ering 'ondo#en'es& XI8 you rea##y %ant to he#:, te## (e %hat you think I do %e##, %ho you kno%, and %here you think (y ski##s 8it !est& And they %ere grate8u# 8or !eing gi<en that o:tion and I %as g#ad I 'ou#d redire't the nature o8 the 'on<ersation :retty (u'h on a di(e&@ Pessi(ists o8ten think they are !eing rea#isti' and grounded in their %or#d <ie%, !ut theyre not: theyre !eing too negati<e& "any are a#so un'ons'ious#y a'ting out their o%n 8ears and inse'urities: theyre a8raid to ask 8or he#:, and so they dont, using the e>'use that asking is 8uti#e& So(e think its a sign o8 %eakness to ask 8or he#:, !ut o:ti(ists kno% its a sign o8 strength and %isdo(, and they a#so kno% that (any :eo:#e in the !usiness %or#d and e#se%here su!s'ri!e to the #a%s o8 re'i:ro'ity and kar(a: I he#: you today; you 3or so(eone
e#se7 he#:s (e to(orro%& So, :#ease 'u#ti<ate an o:ti(isti' attitude, or at #east so(e o:ti(isti' !eha<iors& And :#ease try to hang around (ain#y, or entire#y, %ith o:ti(isti' :eo:#e, sin'e doing so %i## 'ata#yCe your o%n o:ti(is( and (ake your Bo! sear'h easier and :#easanter& You shou#d a#so se<ere#y #i(it your intera'tions %ith :essi(ists, e<en i8 they ha::en to !e re#ated to you& Pessi(ists 'an drag you do%n and rein8or'e your :essi(isti' attitudes& Joes it (ake sense to !e o:ti(isti' e<en in the 8a'e o8 the a%8u# e'ono(y %ere inU A!so#ute#y , as I dis'uss in the ne>t 'ha:ter& N+TE 5& htt::..%%%&nyti(es&'o(.5001.0K.-1.8ashion.-1#ayo88&ht(#Us':Q-YsAQ#anguageO50o8 O50#ossYstQ'se E& Yes, There are Good 3or, At Least, +kay7 o!s +ut There I %ant to 'aution you against one 8or( o8 :essi(is( in :arti'u#ar: the idea that ?there are no good Bo!s out there&@ Yes, I kno%: the e'ono(y is terri!#e& There are (any areas o8 the 'ountry %here the Bo! :oo# has !een de<astated, and a#so (any industries that ha<e !een de<astated, in'#uding auto(o!i#es, (anu8a'turing, te>ti#es, air#ines, (edia and in8or(ation te'hno#ogy& I a#so kno% that (any o8 the Bo!s that ha<e !een 'reated in re'ent years are (u'h %orse than those that ha<e !een #ost, o88ering #o%er :ay, #ess se'urity and 8e%er 3or no7 !ene8its&D And so I kno% that there are :eo:#e out there %ho 'an #egiti(ate#y '#ai( that, ?there are no good Bo!s out there&@ I %ou#d !e <ery re(iss, ho%e<er, i8 I didnt :oint out that e<ery ti(e so(eone has e<er said that to (e, he or she %as %rong& E<ery ti(e& This is :ro!a!#y at #east :art#y due to the 8a't that I #i<e in a !ig 'ity and ha<e (ain#y 'oa'hed other !ig9'ity residents& In a !ig 'ity, i8 one e(:#oyer or industry dries u:, there are usua##y others& That (ay not !e the 'ase in rura# areas, or to%ns %ith one do(inant e(:#oyer& 4ut I a#so think (any :eo:#e !e#ie<e that ?there are no good Bo!s out there@ %hen it si(:#y isnt true& I8 you are one o8 the(, %e need to 'orre't that (is:er'e:tion 8ast, !e'ause there is no 8aster %ay to tor:edo a Bo! sear'h, or any other sear'h, than to say that the thing youre #ooking 8or doesnt e>ist& E<en i8 the di88i'u#t truth is that there are FEW good Bo!s out there, thats a 8ar 'ry 8ro( there !eing N+ good Bo!s& In (y e>:erien'e, there are three (ain reasons :eo:#e say ?there are no good Bo!s out there@ %hen it isnt true: -7 They are using a 8#a%ed Bo!9sear'h strategy, so the Bo!s are out there, !ut theyre not 8inding the(& 57 They are !eing too :i'ky or !iased& And, D7 They are dis'ouraged and.or de(ora#iCed, and %ant to take a !reak 8ro( Bo!
hunting, !ut 'ant ad(it that to the(se#<es or others, so instead '#ai( its use#ess to #ook& I e>a(ine those reasons indi<idua##y in this and the 8o##o%ing 'ha:ters& Lets !egin %ith ?8#a%ed strategy&@ "any :eo:#e #ook 8or %ork ine88e'ti<e#y& As I dis'uss in =ha:ter 5E, 8or instan'e, i8 youre o<er9re#ying on :ostings on the !ig Bo! !oards, or e<en on 'o(:any We!sites, thats an ine88e'ti<e strategy& "any :eo:#e su!(it doCens or hundreds or resu(es that %ay, %ith #itt#e resu#t , and then, instead o8 Auestioning their strategy, 'on'#ude that ?there are no good Bo!s out there&@ $e#ying on ?he#: %anted@ ads in #o'a# ne%s:a:ers 'an !e si(i#ar#y 8uti#e , your resu(e is #ike#y to sit, unread, in a sta'k& P#us, theres an additiona# :ro!#e(, as this arti'#e entit#ed ?The In<isi!#e o! "arket@ in The Ber"shire #agleE dis'usses: ?+n#y D5O o8 the :o:u#ation o8 4erkshire =ounty has earned a :ost se'ondary degree or higher&&&The (ost re'ent o! *a'an'y $e:ort sho%s that o8 the near#y 5500 'urrent <a'ant Bo!s, E1O reAuire a :ost se'ondary degree and ad<an'ed training& This (eans that (u'h o8 the #o'a# ta#ent !ase does not ha<e the edu'ation #e<e# and.or training that (any e(:#oyers seek& 4e'ause o8 this dis'onne't, e(:#oyers are going outside the area to re'ruit& They use nationa# Bo! !oards, industry :u!#i'ations or re'ruiters 3or a 'o(!ination thereo87 to 8ind their ne% e(:#oyees& o!s %ith #ess edu'ation and training reAuire(ents tend to !e ad<ertised #o'a##y, %hi#e those reAuiring (ore edu'ation tend to not !e& So %hen a resident #ooks at the area %e!sites and '#assi8ied ads, they see on#y a :art o8 the :i'ture and the (ost ro!ust :ortion o8 the Bo! (arket is then 8air#y Xin<isi!#e&@ This (is(at'h !et%een e(:#oyer needs and the #o'a# #a!or :oo# is a'tua##y :retty 'o((on& The arti'#es author, Ty#er Fair!ank, re'o((ends that Bo! seekers in this situation get (ore edu'ation , and I tota##y agree& 4ut edu'ation takes ti(e, and in the (eanti(e I suggest you go a8ter so(e #ike#y9#ooking Bo!s e<en i8 you dont ha::en to (eet e<ery sing#e reAuire(ent #isted in the ad& +!<ious#y, this %ont %ork i8 a reAuire(ent is essentia#, !ut (any arent, and (any are (ore negotia!#e than you (ight think, as I dis'uss in the ne>t 'ha:ter& N+TES D& htt::..%%%&nyti(es&'o(.5001.0/.D-.!usiness.e'ono(y.D-Bo!s&ht(#Us':Q-YsAQ:art O50ti(eO50e(:#oy(entYstQ'se E& htt::..%%%&!erkshireeag#e&'o(.'iWED/DK65 K& Negotia!#e and +:tiona# o! ?$eAuire(ents@ A 'o((on, serious (istake (any Bo! sear'hers (ake is to assu(e that the reAuire(ents :osted in Bo! ads or Bo! des'ri:tions are set in stone& 4e#ie<ing that, they dont a::#y 8or Bo!s that arent a ?-00O 8it ,@ or a::#y on#y ha#89hearted#y !e'ause they think their a::#i'ation is doo(ed& Either %ay, they are se<ere#y #i(iting their o:tions , %hi'h 'an, o8
'ourse, 'ontri!ute to the ?there are no good Bo!s out there@ (indset& As it turns out, ho%e<er, (any ?reAuire(ents@ are negotia!#e or e<en entire#y o:tiona#; and, i8 you #a'k the(, (any hirers %i## !e satis8ied i8 you 'an sho% eAui<a#ent e>:erien'e or ski##s& A 'o##ege degree is o8ten su'h an o:tiona# reAuire(ent, 8or e>a(:#e& E(:#oyers ask 8or it !e'ause, in theory, it sho%s you ha<e a !readth o8 kno%#edge and 'an 8inish !ig :roBe'ts& 3I say ?in theory@ !e'ause, 3a7 %e a## kno% :eo:#e %hose 'o##ege (aBor %as !re%skies, and 3!7 (any e(:#oyers ask 8or it re8#e>i<e#y, %ithout rea##y kno%ing %hy&7 I8 you #a'k a degree, ho%e<er, you 'an a#%ays sho% ho% you o!tained eAui<a#ent or e<en !etter kno%#edge and e>:erien'e e#se%here , say, through your %ork history or 8oreign tra<e#& For (any e(:#oyers, that %i## !e Bust 8ine& In 8a't, i8 youre a good ?8ra(er@ 3see =ha:ter 5/7, you 'an :ro!a!#y e<en sho% ho% your ?rea#9%or#d@ e>:erien'e !eats '#assroo( e>:erien'e hands do%n& VVVAs I e>:#ain in =ha:ter /, the 'ore :ro!#e( is o8ten not ho% hirers see your Aua#i8i'ations and 'redentia#s, !ut ho% you yourse#8 see the(&VVV I kno% :#enty o8 dyna(i', energeti' and a''o(:#ished :eo:#e %hose #a'k o8 a 'o##ege degree hasnt he#d the( !a'k one !it , and I kno% :#enty o8 others %ho are so asha(ed o8 their #a'k o8 a degree that its hard 8or the( to se## the(se#<es e88e'ti<e#y des:ite their (any other a''o(:#ish(ents& Another e>a(:#e is ho% :eo:#e rea't to a 8iring or other 'areer ?8ai#ure&@ So(e :eo:#e kee: it in :ers:e'ti<e 3as dis'ussed in =ha:ter 57 and dont #et it de8ine the(, %hi#e others see it as a 8ata# !#ot& Either %ay, your :ers:e'ti<e %i## :ro!a!#y 'o#or the %ay you :resent yourse#8, and the %ay hirers see you& Thats %hy, a#though it (ay not !e easy to 'hange your :ers:e'ti<e on su'h in'idents, you shou#d %ork hard, and seek out he#:, to do so& This kind o8 negati<ity is a se#89estee( issue, usua##y, and theres usua##y a#so a :er8e'tionist e#e(ent to it& Per8e'tionists tend to o<eresti(ate their 'ha##enges %hi#e underesti(ating their a!i#ities to (eet those 'ha##enges: a :erni'ious 'o(!ination&K Ta#k to your (entors to (ake sure youre not doing this, and a#so re(e(!er that there is no su'h thing as a ?:er8e't@ Bo! 'andidate, and that e<ery 'andidate has strong and %eak :oints re#ati<e to any gi<en Bo!& A#though s(art 'andidates do %ork hard to (itigate their short'o(ings !y taking '#asses, reading !ooks, doing strategi' <o#unteer %ork, et'&, they try not to %orry too (u'h a!out those short'o(ings %hen a::#ying 8or %ork& Instead, they 8o'us (ore :rodu'ti<e#y on ho% to :resent their strengths, ski##s and e>:erien'e in the strongest :ossi!#e %ay& 3That 8ra(ing thing, again&7 They a#so %ork to 'o(e u: %ith e88e'ti<e ?eAui<a#ents@ 8or their %eak areas: So(eone #a'king an "4A: ?I ran (y o%n !usiness 8or se<era# years and ha<e taken se<era# :ro8essiona# de<e#o:(ent 'ourses in (anage(ent and 8inan'e&@ So(eone %hose 'urrent :osition is not su:er<isory: ?I ha<e su:er<ised :eo:#e in the :ast, and 'urrent#y su:er<ise a doCen :eo:#e 8or a <o#unteer 'o((unity :roBe't I( in<o#<ed %ith&@ So(eone #a'king e>:erien'e in te#e:hone 'usto(er su::ort: ?When I did retai# sa#es, %e %ere <ery !usy, !ut %ere e>:e'ted to treat e<ery 'usto(er %ith great :atien'e and res:e't , and %e a#so took a #ot o8 te#e:hone orders&@
S(art 'andidates a#so dont assu(e a Bo! reAuire(ent is <ita#, or rigorous, %ithout asking& =andidate 3ner<ous#y7: ?Ho% (u'h E>'e# e>:erien'e are you #ooking 8orU@ Hirer 3!#ithe#y7: ?+h, Bust so(eone %ho 'an 'reate a si(:#e s:readsheet& No 'o(:#e> 8or(u#as or anything&@ =andidate 3thinking, re#ie<ed7: ?Whe%F@ The E(otiona# =o(:onent to Hiring =andidates %ho see Bo! reAuire(ents as rigid a#so o8ten dont understand that theres a #arge e(otiona# 'o(:onent to (ost hiring de'isions, e<en i8 those de'isions see( :ure#y rationa#& As I## dis'uss in =ha:ter -1, i8 a hirer 8ee#s sa8e hiring you, he %i## :ro!a!#y !e #ess rigid a!out his reAuire(ents& T%o o8 the !est %ays to e#i'it that 8ee#ing o8 sa8ety are to: 3-7 ha<e so(eone he trusts re'o((end you 3hen'e, the <ita# ro#e o8 net%orking in getting a Bo!7; and 357 'on<in'e hi( that you rea##y, rea##y %ant the :arti'u#ar Bo! in Auestion& "any :eo:#e %ho transition to ne% 8ie#ds do this: they o8ten #a'k (any o8 the 'redentia#s and e>:erien'e that so(eone a#ready in that 8ie#d has, !ut (ore than (ake u: 8or it %ith their re'o((endations and enthusias( , and so hirers are in'#ined to gi<e the( !ene8it o8 the dou!t& Sure, (any reAuire(ents are non9negotia!#e, and 8or good reason: you dont %ant an unAua#i8ied do'tor or engineer, 8or instan'e& And, o8 'ourse, so(e e(:#oyers are (ore ?sti'k#ers@ than others& 4ut a good ru#e o8 thu(! is that i8 theres a Bo! you rea##y %ant, you shou#d go 8or it e<en i8 youre not a -00O 8it, un#ess you kno% 8or a 8a't that a reAuire(ent is a'tua##y reAuired& +8 'ourse, you ha<e to do a 8a!u#ous Bo! %ith your a::#i'ation: i8 you dont, then that 'o(!ined %ith your %eak areas %i## (ean that theres #itt#e reason a hirer shou#d 'onsider you& Note: K& For (ore on :er8e'tionis(, negati<ity, and other 8ear9!ased anti:rodu'ti<e ha!its, do%n#oad (y 8ree e!ook The Little Guide To Beating Procrastination, Perfectionis , !ears and Bloc"s at %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o(& 6& +n Pi'kiness and 4iases I8 theres on#y one sa#ary, Bo! tit#e, ty:e o8 organiCation, !ene8its :a'kage, #o'ation, 'o((ute, o88i'e setu:, et'&, that %i## (ake you ha::y, the :ro!#e( (ay not !e that ?there are no good Bo!s out there,@ !ut that you are !eing too :i'ky& Thats a !ad idea in any Bo! (arket, !ut :arti'u#ar#y a %eak one& You need to 'hoose the t%o or three 'riteria that are (ost i(:ortant, and re#a> as (u'h as :ossi!#e on a## the others& PrioritiCing 'an !e di88i'u#t, so its he#:8u# to e>a(ine the thoughts and 8ee#ings under#ying your 'hoi'es& Jo you need a 'ertain tit#e or sa#ary !e'ause you rea##y need it, or !e'ause you %ou#d 8ee# #ike a 8ai#ure %ithout it, or !e'ause so(eone e#se %i## !e disa::ointed i8 you dont get it, or 8or another reasonU +8ten, Bust 'hara'teriCing a need is enough to de8use it: ?I %ant (y o%n o88i'e !e'ause I had one in (y #ast Bo!, and !e'ause it see(s right
8or so(eone at (y 'areer stage& And, o8 'ourse, the :ri<a'y is great& 4ut sti##, I guess its not as i(:ortant as a good sa#ary and !ene8its :a'kage, and a short 'o((ute&@ Nno% thyse#8, So'rates said, and thats :arti'u#ar#y good ad<i'e 8or Bo! sear'hers& 4y kno%ing yourse#8, you 'reate o:tions 3see =ha:ter 17, (ake !etter 'hoi'es, and 'an a'hie<e the !est :ossi!#e out'o(e e<en 8ro( a di88i'u#t situation& Ask yourse#8 %hether you are !iased against 'ertain ty:es o8 e(:#oyers& "any :eo:#e %ho ha<e %orked in !ig 'o(:anies are o8ten !iased against s(a##er ones , and <i'e <ersaF And (any %ho ha<e !ui#t 'areers in go<ern(ent, !usiness or the non:ro8it se'tor are !iased against the other t%o se'tors& You 'ou#d, in 8a't, ha<e a :er8e't#y good reason 8or your !ias, !ut i8 your reasons arent so#id, then it %ou#d !e !etter to kee: an o:en (ind& +ne thing that a#(ost a#%ays he#:s is in8or(ation: theres an enor(ous di<ersity in (ost 8ie#ds or industries, and so i8 one ty:e o8 Bo! or e(:#oyer doesnt suit you, there 'ou#d %e## !e another that does& I sa% su'h an e>a(:#e o8 !ias in a '#ient %ith a !a'kground in ad<ertising& A8ter ha<ing !een une(:#oyed 8or a #ong ti(e, she %as 8ina##y o88ered a good Bo! in her 8ie#d , !ut the 'at'h, 8ro( her stand:oint, %as that it %as %ith the 8edera# go<ern(ent& She had a <ery negati<e !ias against go<ern(ent %ork that a#(ost ke:t her 8ro( taking the Bo!, !ut she did take it and it %orked out (u'h !etter than she had anti'i:ated& A#so think a!out %hether you are !iased against yourse#8 , or, to :ut it another %ay, %hether you (ay !e underesti(ating your hirea!i#ity& I dis'uss this 'o((on :ro!#e( at #ength in =ha:ter M, !ut #et (e Bust say no% that i8 theres a Bo! youd #ike !ut dont think youre Aua#i8ied 8or, reread the :re<ious 'ha:ter on negotia!#e ?reAuire(ents@ and then ask so(eone kno%#edgea!#e i8 you rea##y are underAua#i8ied , or Bust go out and a::#y& +8ten, %e underesti(ate our %orth on the Bo! (arket, or our hirea!i#ity in a ne% 8ie#d& $e'ent#y, 8or instan'e, I %orked %ith a sa#es:erson %hose 'areer se##ing e>:ensi<e Be%e#ry 8a#tered a8ter M.--& She %anted to start a ne% 'areer in the non:ro8it %or#d, !ut thought her e>:erien'e %asnt trans8era!#e& In 8a't, her sa#es !a'kground and e>:ertise se##ing to the a88#uent (ade her an idea# 'andidate 8or a de<e#o:(ent Bo! 3i&e&, raising (oney7, %hi'h is one o8 the !est non:ro8it 8ie#ds o8 a##& T%o 'o((on !iases against se#8 are, !y the %ay: 3-7 Thinking the 'o(:etition are a## !etter than you, so that you dont stand a 'han'e& The rea#ity, as I dis'uss in =ha:ter -E, is that the 'o(:etition are o8ten (u'h %eaker than you rea#iCe& And, 357 Thinking youre !etter than a## the 'o(:etition& Peo:#e o8ten think this !e'ause they o<er<a#ue one ski## 3say, a te'hni'a# ski## #ike :rogra((ing7 and under<a#ue others 3say, tea(%ork or 'o((uni'ations7& This !ias is dangerous !e'ause it 'an #ead to arrogan'e and s#o::iness %hen a::#ying, as dis'ussed in =ha:ter 5K& When Bo! hunting, you %ant as '#ear and o!Be'ti<e a <ision o8 yourse#8, your 'o(:etition, and the Bo! (arket as :ossi!#e& Thats not a#%ays easy to attain, %hi'h is a key reason you shou#d %ork hard to e>a(ine your :riorities and !iases, and a#so seek 8eed!a'k 8ro( others& I kno%, I kno%: a## this :rioritiCation and se#89ana#ysis sounds #ike a #ot o8 %ork , and dont you ha<e enough to do a#readyU 4ut its <ita# %ork, !e'ause, VVVin (any 'ases o8
#ong9ter( une(:#oy(ent I<e seen, the :erson %as !eing too :i'ky, !iased or narro%#y 8o'used&VVV +8 'ourse, they VthoughtV they %ere !eing 8#e>i!#e , and, :erha:s :re9re'ession they %ou#d ha<e !een 8#e>i!#e enough& 4ut these days you ha<e to !e e>tra9 8#e>i!#e& P#ease note that, in ad<ising you to !roaden the range o8 :ositions you 'onsider a''e:ta!#e, I a( N+T te##ing you to sett#e 8or a !ad Bo!& I %ou#d ne<er say that, :art#y !e'ause its horri!#e to s:end eight hours a day in a !ad situation, !ut a#so !e'ause its not a good strategy, sin'e its hard to su''eed in those 'ir'u(stan'es& +ur goa# is not to get you a Bo!, any Bo!, !ut to get you a Bo! you 'an !e reasona!#y ha::y at, su''eed at, and use to he#: !ui#d a strong and 8u#8i##ing 'areer& VVVThe !otto( #ine is that, in a tight Bo! (arket, you (ight ha<e to 'ast your net a #itt#e %ider than you %ou#d ordinari#y, #ook 8or %ork a #itt#e (ore 'reati<e#y than you %ou#d ordinari#y, and ?:ush@ a #itt#e harder 8or a Bo! than you %ou#d ordinari#y , oh, and take a 8e% (ore risks& That a## (ay not add u: to your idea# situation, !ut its a 8ar 'ry 8ro(, and a 8ar !etter situation than, ?there are no good Bo!s out there&@VVV /& +n Fear, Pro'rastination and Not Getting Stu'k Peo:#e :ro'rastinate, usua##y, !e'ause theyre a8raid o8 the 'onseAuen'es o8 (o<ing 8or%ard& So(eone (ight !e des:erate to get a ne% Bo!, !ut i8 she is (ore des:erate to a<oid reBe'tion, or %inding u: in a !ad Bo!, then she (ay :ro'rastinate to a<oid those out'o(es& "ore s:e'i8i'a##y, so(eone 'ou#d tru#y !e#ie<e that ?there are no good Bo!s out there,@ or she 'ou#d !e te##ing herse#8 that to e>'use herse#8 8ro( #ooking and 8a'ing the %orse out'o(e& Peo:#e tend to :ro'rastinate in three %ays: -7 Es'a:ist a'ti<ities su'h as (ind#ess te#e<ision, We! sur8ing, sho::ing or <ideo ga(es& 57 Good %orks 8or 8a(i#y, 8riends or the 'o((unity& I a( not against good %orksF 4ut you ha<e to set a #i(it on it and (ake sure it doesnt inter8ere %ith your other i(:ortant goa#s, in'#uding 8inding %ork& See =ha:ter -5 8or (ore on this to:i'& And, 8ina##y, D7 A'ti<ities that see( #ike :rodu'ti<e %ork, !ut arent& This is the sneakiest and (ost insidious 8or( o8 :ro'rastination !e'ause o8ten %ere not e<en a%are that %ere :ro'rastinating& Its e>e(:#i8ied !y the (any :eo:#e trying to %rite a !ook or thesis %ho do end#ess resear'h !ut ne<er get around to a'tua##y %riting; or the (any :eo:#e %ho 'o(:u#si<e#y house'#ean instead o8 using their ti(e to :ursue goa#s they ho#d (eaning8u#, su'h as re#ationshi:s, art, a'ti<is( or :ro8essiona# su''ess& 3See the !#og at %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o( 8or an arti'#e on ho% to (ini(iCe house%ork %ithout #i<ing #ike a s#o!&7 In a Bo! sear'h, this 8or( o8 :ro'rastination o8ten entai#s su!(itting end#ess resu(es on#ine, !ut ne<er getting around to the (u'h (ore e88e'ti<e ta'ti' o8 net%orking& +r, it 'ou#d :re<ent you 8ro( 'onsu#ting e>:erts or others %ho 'ou#d te## you ho% to i(:ro<e your strategy: you Bust stu!!orn#y, and ine88e'tua##y, kee: :#ugging a#ong&
Jont !e asha(ed o8 your :ro'rastination :ro!#e(, and dont !e a8raid to ta'k#e it, either: :ro'rastination is not a 'hara'ter 8#a% or (ora# short'o(ing, !ut (ere#y a !ad ha!it and understanda!#e res:onse to 8ear& A #itt#e :ro'rastination 'an !e okay, i8 it he#:s you get through a !ad day& A #ot o8 :ro'rastination, ho%e<er, %i## e<entua##y #ea<e you unha::y and !itter at #ost :ossi!i#ities& 4etter to ta'k#e your 8ears, i8 on#y a #itt#e at a ti(e& For (ore in8or(ation on :ro'rastination and ho% to o<er'o(e it, 'he'k out A::endi> III o8 this e!ook, and a#so (y +THE$ 8ree e!ook The Little Guide To Beating Procrastination, Perfectionis , !ears and Bloc"s at %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o( & 1& When You Jont Like Your +:tions Peo:#e a#so o8ten :ro'rastinate %hen theyre not ha::y %ith their :er'ei<ed o:tions& So(eone %ho rea##y %ants a :arti'u#ar ty:e o8 Bo! !ut doesnt think he 'an get it, 8or instan'e, (ight :ro'rastinate on #ooking 8or any ne% Bo!& I( ta#king a!out so(ething di88erent, here, than the :i'kiness :ro!#e( dis'ussed in =ha:ter 6& The :ro!#e( there %as ha<ing too #ong a #ist o8 reAuire(ents; here, its ha<ing 'ontradi'tory reAuire(ents, or a 'on8#i't !et%een your %ork reAuire(ents and other areas o8 your #i8e& So(e e>a(:#es: VSo(eone %ho %ants a high9:aying Bo! thats a#so easy and #o% stress& 3A rare 'o(!ination&7 VSo(eone %ho %ants to get :aid to do his :assion , 8or instan'e, art or a'ti<is( , !ut is un%i##ing to 'o(:ro(ise on the Bo!s #o'ation 3:aid Bo!s in these 8ie#ds tend to !e 8e% and 8ar !et%een7 or other 8a'tors 3e&g&, sa#ary7& VSo(eone %ho %ants to #i<e in a 'ertain region , :erha:s !e'ause she gre% u: there, has 8a(i#y there, or 8ee#s another dee: 'onne'tion to it , !ut doesnt think she 'an 8ind %ork there& VSo(eone %ho %ants to s:end a #ot o8 ti(e %ith his 'hi#dren, or on another i(:ortant :riority, !ut needs to %ork 8u##9ti(e& The (ain things to do, in su'h situations, are: -7 ourna# around your thoughts and 8ee#ings to get as '#ear a <ie% as :ossi!#e o8 the(& "any :eo:#e arent 8u##y a%are they ha<e a 'on8#i't, and so it Bust stays in the !a'k o8 their thoughts, (uddying e<erything and 'ausing 8ear and :ro'rastination& "aking your 'on8#i't e>:#i'it (ay, ho%e<er, !e a## it takes 8or you to :rioritiCe and get (o<ing again& 57 Ta#k %ith 8riends, (entors or others& This is i(:ortant !e'ause its hard to see ourse#<es o!Be'ti<e#y, :arti'u#ar#y %hen under stress& As I dis'uss in =ha:ter --, the !est :ro!#e(9so#<ing is done in 'o((unity& D7 =onsu#t 'oa'hes or other e>:erts to (ake sure youre rea##y seeing a## your o:tions& Your 8riends 'an he#: you understand yourse#8, !ut un#ess they are %e## in8or(ed and sa<<y a!out the Bo! (arket and 'areer strategy, they 'ant gi<e you the !est strategi' ad<i'e& A## o8 this ad<i'e is :arti'u#ar#y i(:ortant i8 you<e (ain#y he#d one kind o8 Bo!, or %orked 8or one e(:#oyer& In that 'ase, you (ight ha<e a kind o8 ?tunne# <ision,@ and rea##y need to 'onsu#t :eo:#e outside your 8ie#d& $e(e(!er: in8or(ation 8reAuent#y #eads to
e(:#oy(ent& E7 Go 8or itF E<en i8 none o8 the 'urrent#y a<ai#a!#e Bo!s is your drea( Bo!, dont %ait around 8or one o8 those drea( Bo!s to o:en u:: instead, go ahead and a::#y 8or %hi'he<er o8 the a<ai#a!#e Bo!s !est (eet your needs& Waiting around 8or a drea( Bo! is o8ten a 8or( o8 :ro'rastination, !ut i8 you 8o'us on doing %e## at %hate<er Bo! youre doing, and !ui#ding a good 'areer o<er the #ong ter(, the drea( Bo!s o8ten 'o(e to you , and Aui'ker than you (ight i(agine& K7 Work to 'reate (ore o:tions 8or yourse#8 8or the 8uture& I8 you %ant to s:end (ore ti(e at ho(e %ith your kids, 8or instan'e, start resear'hing 8a(i#y98riend#y 'o(:anies , and start !ui#ding your 'redentia#s and net%ork so you 'an get hired !y one o8 the( as soon as :ossi!#e& And i8 you %ant to (o<e to a di88erent region, start (aking :#ans 8or that& VVVWhene<er you think you ha<e no o:tions, or on#y one or t%o !ad ones, in your Bo! sear'h or e#se%here, youre :ro!a!#y %rong&VVV Fear tends to 'ause us to see things in !#a'k9and9%hite, a##9or9nothing ter(s, !ut 8e% situations in #i8e are rea##y that %ay& "ost o8 the ti(e, the situation has shades o8 gray, and the !est out'o(es 'an usua##y !e 8ound in that gray area& So, the :erson %ho %ants to s:end (ore ti(e at ho(e %ith his kids, or #i<e in a 'ertain region o8 the 'ountry, (ight 8ind that te#e'o((uting, 8#e>9ti(e or Bo!9sharing he#:s hi( a'hie<e at #east :art o8 that goa#& I8 so(eone e#se 'a(e to hi( %ith that :ro!#e(, hed no dou!t 'o(e u: %ith those so#utions in a sna:& 4ut %e ty:i'a##y ha<e a greater #e<e# o8 8ear %hen 8a'ing our o%n :ro!#e(s, and that 8ear i(:edes our :ro!#e( so#<ing& Ho% to =hange Fie#ds Perha:s the (ost 8rightening ?!ad o:tion@ situation is %hen you are e(:#oyed in a de'#ining 8ie#d or industry& Then you 8a'e the 'hoi'e o8 either staying and %at'hing your Bo! :ros:e'ts d%ind#e, or taking the di88i'u#t and s'ary ste: o8 (o<ing to a ne% 8ie#d& That de'ision 'an !e :arti'u#ar#y tough i8 you<e !een in your 'urrent 8ie#d a #ong ti(e, and.or ha<e a #arge in<est(ent in edu'ation or too#s& 4ut staying 'ou#d u#ti(ate#y #ead to a dead end& 3=han'es are it %i##, or you %ou#dnt serious#y !e 'onsidering #ea<ing&7 Whi#e transitioning is di88i'u#t, it is usua##y not as di88i'u#t as :eo:#e i(agine it %i## !e, and near#y e<ery transitioner, in (y e>:erien'e, e<entua##y %inds u: !eing <ery ha::y he or she (ade the 'hange& 4ut no one rea##y kno%s %hether that %i## !e their out'o(e , and its hard to en<ision, in any 'ase , so its hard to o<er'o(e the 8ear and get started& The keys to su''ess8u##y 'hanging 8ie#ds are to: 3-7 resist the 3understanda!#e7 urge to :ro'rastinate, and 357 ha<e #oads o8 su::ort and (entors& A#so, re'ogniCe that (ost :eo:#e, these days, %i## !e 'a##ed on to transition at so(e :oint in their 'areers& This isnt our granddads Bo! (arket, %here you 'ou#d get a Bo! at I4", Nodak or another !ig 'or:oration and !e set 8or #i8e& The good ne%s is that, %hereas a 'ou:#e o8 generations ago s%it'hing 8ie#ds %as 'onsidered %eird, no%adays its nor(a# and e<en hi:& 3The )ew Yor" Ti es re'ent#y re:orted that, ?(ore than 8i<e (i##ion A(eri'ans %ho are EE to /0 are a#ready engaged in a stage o8 %ork a8ter their 8irst 'areers that has a so'ia# i(:a't, (ain#y in edu'ation, hea#th 'are,
go<ern(ent and other non:ro8it organiCations&@67 You (ay e<en 8ind that your ski##s and e>:erien'e are (ore <a#ued in your ne% 8ie#d than they %ere in the o#d one& In 8a't, (any :eo:#e dis'o<er that starting a se'ond or third 'areer is not Bust 8as'inating and re%arding, !ut reBu<enating , e<en i8 they initia##y %ent into that ne% 'areer re#u'tant#y& 3That in'#udes (e, !y the %ay&7 It (akes sense, a8ter a##, that (o<ing 8ro( a de'#ining industry 8i##ed %ith 8rightened :eo:#e, to a gro%ing one 8i##ed %ith (ore se'ure and o:ti(isti' ones, %i## i(:ro<e your out#ook, es:e'ia##y i8 your ne% 'o##eagues a::re'iate you (ore than your o#d ones did& N+TE 6& htt::..%%%&nyti(es&'o(.5001.-5.-D.!usiness.-Dne>t&ht(#Ue(QY:age%antedQa## M& Yes, Youre E(:#oya!#e Another 8or( o8 :essi(is( I 8reAuent#y en'ounter is the idea that (any Bo! seekers ha<e that, due to so(e ga: or %eakness in their !a'kground or ski##s, no e(:#oyer %i## e<er hire the(& Peo:#e %ho think theyre une(:#oya!#e are a#(ost a#%ays %rong& I say ?a#(ost@ !e'ause there are de8inite#y :eo:#e out there %ho 8a'e serious dis'ri(ination& "ost :eo:#e are not in that situation, ho%e<er, and so %ere !a'k to that se#89estee(.:er8e'tionis( :ro!#e( I dis'ussed in =ha:ter K& Part II %i## tea'h you si(:#e things you 'an do that shou#d signi8i'ant#y !oost your odds o8 getting hired , and not on#y SH+2LJ you do those things, you "2ST do the(& I8 you dont, then the reason youre not getting o88ers is :ro!a!#y not that youre une(:#oya!#e or !eing dis'ri(inated against, !ut that you are s're%ing u: the sear'h and a::#i'ation :ro'ess& There are se<era# s:e'i8i' grou:s o8 a::#i'ants %ho are :rone to 8ee#ing unhirea!#e, in'#uding: Artists %ho are !roke or !urned out and need to get a ?(ainstrea(@ Bo!& A'ti<ists in the sa(e situation& Anyone s%it'hing industries or Bo!s, in'#uding <eterans trying to transition into 'i<i#ian Bo!s; go<ern(ent %orkers trying to transition into the :ri<ate se'tor 3or <i'e <ersa7; 'or:orate %orkers seeking non:ro8it %ork 3or <i'e <ersa7; and :eo:#e 8ro( do%nsiCed industries seeking to (ake a 8resh start& Entre:reneurs %hose !usinesses ha<e ?8ai#ed@/ and no% need to get a Bo!& Ho(e(akers reentering the %ork8or'e, and others %ith ga:s in their :ro8essiona# history& Peo:#e %ith one or t%o %eaknesses , 8or instan'e, so(eone %ho doesnt s:eak or %rite :er8e't Eng#ish, or %ho doesnt kno% ho% to use a :o:u#ar so8t%are :rogra(& Peo:#e %hose re'ent Bo! e>:erien'es under(ined their se#89estee( and se#89 'on8iden'e, as dis'ussed in =ha:ter 5& "ost o8 these :eo:#es 'on'erns 'an !e tra'ed to either: 3-7 the :er8e'tionist (is'on'e:tion that ha<ing one or t%o %eak e#e(ents in your !a'kground, ski##s or e>:erien'e %i## doo( your a::#i'ation; and 357 an ina!i#ity or un%i##ingness to :i'ture
onese#8 in a ne% #ine o8 %ork& The ?one negati<e thing doo(s (y a::#i'ation@ (istake o8ten ha::ens %hen you 'o(:are yourse#8 to an i##usory idea# 'andidate %ith no %eaknesses or ga:s in her resu(e& In rea# #i8e, ho%e<er, no su'h 'andidate e>ists& As dis'ussed in =ha:ter K, the :ro:er res:onse to ones %eaknesses is not to gi<e u: ho:e, !ut to 8ra(e your e>:erien'e and ski##s so that youre the strongest :ossi!#e 'andidate, and so that your strengths 'o(:ensate 8or , or, !etter yet, render (eaning#ess , your %eaknesses& See =ha:ter 5/ 8or (ore on 8ra(ing& The ?ina!i#ity to <isua#iCe onese#8 in a ne% ty:e o8 %ork@ :ro!#e( isnt a short'o(ing so (u'h as a 'o((on hu(an trait& So(e :eo:#e are Bust natura##y !etter <isua#iCers than others, and (ost o8 us arent <ery good at it, es:e'ia##y %hen %ere s'ared and.or o<er%he#(ed& The tri'k to o<er'o(ing this :ro!#e( is to sto: seeing yourse#8 as a ro#e 3an ?artist,@ ?entre:reneur,@ or ?reentering ho(e(aker@7, and start seeing yourse#8 as a 'o##e'tion o8 ta#ents, ski##s and e>:erien'es that 'an !e 8#e>i!#y de:#oyed in (any %ork situations& Then, you shou#d %ork %ith a rea##y shar: 'oa'h, (entor or 'o##eague to (at'h your ski##s and e>:erien'e against the 'urrent Bo! (arket and 8igure out %hi'h Bo!s to a::#y 8or& 3Then you need to 8ra(e&7 Its i(:ortant to do this %ork %ith another :erson !e'ause (ost o8 us ha<e trou!#e <ie%ing ourse#<es o!Be'ti<e#y, and tend, in 8a't, to de<a#ue ourse#<es and our a''o(:#ish(ents& As it ha::ens, (any hirers <a#ue the kinds o8 'andidates (entioned a!o<e: They <a#ue entre:reneurs 3in'#uding :ro8essiona# artists7 8or their (arket sa<<y, o:erations sa<<y, 'usto(er re#ations ski##s, 'reati<ity, and a!i#ities to (anage, :ro!#e(9so#<e and take risks& They <a#ue <eterans 8or their dis'i:#ine and #eadershi:& They <a#ue a'ti<ists and 'o((unity organiCers 8or their kno%#edge o8 the #o'a# 'o((unity, organiCationa# ski##s, (anageria# ski##s, and 'o((uni'ations ski##s& VVVThe 'ore :ro!#e(, as stated in =ha:ter K, is o8ten not ho% hirers see your Aua#i8i'ations and 'redentia#s, !ut ho% Y+2 see the(&VVV I8 you start 8ro( the stand:oint that youre de8i'ient, its going to !e hard to 'on<in'e an e(:#oyer other%ise& 4ut i8 you start 8ro( the stand:oint that your ski##s and e>:erien'e are <a#ua!#e, then youre going to !e (u'h (ore #ike#y to 'on<in'e an e(:#oyer o8 the sa(e& +8 'ourse, you shou#d do %hat you 'an to !o#ster your 'redentia#s and 8i## in the ga:s in your e>:erien'e and ski##s& 3A (eaning8u# <o#unteer gig in your ne% 8ie#d 'an %ork %onders&7 And, o8 'ourse, there %i## :ro!a!#y a#%ays !e 'andidates out there %ho are o!Be'ti<e#y (ore Aua#i8ied than you& 4ut, as I dis'uss in Part II, there are :o%er8u#, re#ati<e#y easy te'hniAues you 'an use to 'o(:ete against e<en (ore Aua#i8ied a::#i'ants& And 8ra(e, !a!y, 8ra(e& N+TE /& I :ut the %ord ?8ai#ed@ in Auotes !e'ause theres rare#y su'h a thing as a tota# 8ai#ure& This is yet another to:i' I dis'uss in (y 'o(:anion e!ook, The Little Guide To Beating Procrastination, Perfectionis , !ears and Bloc"s, do%n#oada!#e at %%%&hi##aryrettig&'o(&
-0& In<est in La<ish Se#89=are Looking 8or %ork is not 8or the 8aint9hearted& You<e got to stay strong, 8o'used and resi#ient in a :ro'ess that is :ra'ti'a##y designed to under(ine you& So its not si(:#y 8ee#9 good ad<i'e to te## you to take 'are o8 yourse#8: it is <ery :rag(ati' ad<i'e& So, eat %e## and (ake sure you get :#enty o8 s#ee:& E>er'ise, and a#so take ti(e 8or re'reation& Try to re#a> in %ays that engage and 8u#8i## you , as o::osed to, say, es'a:ist te#e<ision that u#ti(ate#y %inds u: !oring or de:ressing you& Find heroes 3:ersona#, 'onte(:orary, histori'a#, and e<en 8i'tiona#7 %hose 'ourage in the 8a'e o8 ad<ersity ins:ires and strengthens you, and s:end ti(e :ondering their e>a(:#e& $esist any te(:tation you (ight ha<e to think, ?I dont deser<e #eisure or se#89'are !e'ause I( une(:#oyed&@ Thats an irrationa#, not to (ention inhu(ane, <ie%:oint& And any ti(e you<e !een reBe'ted, or 8ee# #ike you<e !een di(inished !y the :ro'ess, take Aui'k ste:s to !o#ster your ego and se#89'on8iden'e& See A::endi> I 8or so(e ideas& Gi<e yourse#8 treats , #a<ish ones, i8 :ossi!#e& "oney is :ro!a!#y tight, right no%, !ut try not to e#i(inate a## :#easures& And you 'an a#%ays treat yourse#8 #a<ish#y in 8ree or 'hea: %ays, #ike sitting %ith a 8ragrant 'u: o8 tea, or #istening to so(e ni'e (usi', or going on a 8un %a#k %ith your kids or dogs& It is <ery easy, %hi#e Bo! sear'hing, to des'end into a sha(e s:ira# %here you 8ee# !ad, sto: taking 'are o8 yourse#8, and then 8ee# %orse&&&and it kee:s going& It (ay !e too (u'h to ask 8or a re<erse ?:ride s:ira#,@ !ut it is Auite :ossi!#e to at #east kee: things on a re#ati<e#y e<en kee#& When you do so(ething ni'e 8or yourse#8 a8ter you<e !een reBe'ted or ignored, it sends a :o%er8u# (essage to your su!'ons'ious that, ?This reBe'tion ha::ened to (e, !ut it doesnt di(inish (e as a :erson, or (ake (e any #ess %orthy o8 #o<e and res:e't&@ Its a (essage (ost o8 us 'ant hear o8ten enough, in or out o8 %ork& --& 4ui#d a Su::orti<e =o((unity "any o8 us tend to iso#ate ourse#<es %hen %e ha<e a :ro!#e(, !ut thats e>a't#y the %rong a::roa'h, sin'e (ost :ro!#e(s are !est so#<ed in 'o((unity& ust as it takes a <i##age to raise a 'hi#d, it takes one to he#: you 8ind a ne% Bo!& In 8a't, the (ore he#: you en#ist 8or this di88i'u#t :roBe't, the 8aster you## :ro!a!#y su''eed& Your su::orti<e ?<i##age@ shou#d in'#ude: VPro8essiona#s, in'#uding not Bust Bo! 'oa'hes, headhunters and resu(e %riters, !ut thera:ists, do'tors, nutritionists and others as needed& V"entors %ho 'an ad<ise you on di88erent as:e'ts o8 your 'areer and sear'h& Pre8era!#y #ots o8 the(& So(e (entors are strategi' (entors %ho are in your 8ie#d and 'an gi<e ad<i'e regarding the o::ortunities that are out there and ho% to get the(& These (entors a#so o8ten ha<e 'onne'tions, %hi'h 'an a'tua##y !e (ore i(:ortant than the in8or(ation itse#8& 3So(e (entors 'an get you a Bo! %ith a sing#e :hone 'a##&7 There are a#so ta'ti'a# (entors %ho 'an ad<ise you on so(e e#e(ent o8 the :ro'ess:
resu(e %riting, inter<ie%ing, %hat to %ear to inter<ie%s, ho% to use the Internet, et'& A::endi> II te##s you ho% to 8ind and kee: (entors& VYou a#so %ant at #east one Bo!9sear'h ?!uddy@ , an understanding :erson %ho( you 'an 'a## u: %hen youre ha<ing a !ad 3or goodF7 day, and Bust ta#k& +8ten, its another une(:#oyed :erson , you ser<e as !uddies 8or ea'h other , and, o8 'ourse, you 'an ha<e (ore than one& A !uddy shou#d !e a thought8u#, honest and o:ti(isti' :erson %ho %i## #isten :atient#y to your thoughts, ideas and 8ee#ings, and o88er not Bust 8riendshi: and e(:athy, !ut 'onstru'ti<e and 'o(:assionate 8eed!a'k& In other %ords, he shou#d !e neither a harsh Budge nor an ena!#er %ho %i## agree %ith a## your darkest thoughts a!out ho% the %or#d su'ks and the odds are sta'ked against you& The !est !uddies are o:ti(isti' rea#ists& So(eti(es a (entor 'an !e a !uddy, !ut !e 'are8u# a!out (i>ing those ro#es& "any (entors dont see it as their ro#e to su::ort you e(otiona##y, and (ay 8ee# un'o(8orta!#e %ith !eing asked to do so& That doesnt (ean you shou#d deny your 8ee#ings or :retend that e<erything is hunky9dory; it Bust (eans you shou#d kee: the 'on<ersation 8o'used on getting %ork, rather than on ho% (isera!#e une(:#oy(ent is (aking you 8ee#& You 'an use a 8a(i#y (e(!er as a !uddy, !ut sin'e one o8 things you %i## :ro!a!#y need su::ort around is the i(:a't o8 your une(:#oy(ent on your 8a(i#y, its a good idea to ha<e so(e non98a(i#y (e(!ers as !uddies as %e##& 4uddies 'an a#so ser<e as do'u(ent :roo8readers and inter<ie% rehearsa# :artners, key su::ort ro#es& VNet%orking 'onta'ts& As I## dis'uss in =ha:ter 5E, (ost e>:erts !e#ie<e that net%orking is key to getting a Bo!& +ne o8 your (ost i(:ortant tasks %i## there8ore !e to !ui#d as !ig a net%ork as :ossi!#e, and use it e88e'ti<e#y& Ho% !igU NaZ<e or unsu''ess8u# 'andidates 8reAuent#y think theyre net%orking #ike (ad %hen they<e 'onta'ted a doCen :eo:#e& Su''ess8u# 'andidates, in 'ontrast, o8ten 'onta't doCens or e<en hundreds o8 :eo:#e& A#though thats a #ot o8 %ork , and hard %ork, too, :arti'u#ar#y i8 youre an intro<ert , its a (u'h !etter use o8 your ti(e than sending out hundreds o8 ?'o#d@ resu(es to strangers, :arti'u#ar#y i8 you 'o(!ine it %ith an e88e'ti<e strategy #ike the one I o88er in Part II& +ne tri'k su''ess8u# 'andidates use, o8 'ourse, is that they dont %ait unti# theyre une(:#oyed to net%ork, !ut net%ork 'onstant#y, as :art o8 their dai#y routine, e<en %hi#e theyre ha::i#y e(:#oyed& Theres #ots o8 !ene8its to that a::roa'h, in'#uding that its re#ati<e#y #o% stress; you #earn a!out o::ortunities ear#y on; and that youre sa<ed 8ro( ha<ing to a::#y ?'o#d,@ %ithout a :ersona# 'onta't& 3See =ha:ter 5D 8or (ore on the i(:ortan'e o8 that kind o8 s:eed and :roa'ti<ity&7 $egarding the 'orre't use o8 net%orks, the e>a(:#e I 'ited in =ha:ter D is %orth re:eating: ?XI understand youre sorry, so a( I, !ut that doesnt do (e any good, "r& Ad#er, %ho starts :aying 'o##ege tuition this 8a##, is te##ing those o88ering 'ondo#en'es& XI8 you rea##y %ant to he#:, te## (e %hat you think I do %e##, %ho you kno%, and %here you think (y ski##s 8it !est& And they %ere grate8u# 8or !eing gi<en that o:tion and I %as g#ad I 'ou#d redire't the nature o8 the 'on<ersation :retty (u'h on a di(e&@
Note the s:e'i8i'ity o8 Ad#ers instru'tions& Peo:#e o8ten rea##y %ant to he#: you, !ut dont kno% ho%: i8 you te## the( :re'ise#y %hat you need, you## o8ten get a (u'h !etter resu#t& You 'an a#so Boin net%orking grou:s, !oth on#ine and in the ?rea# %or#d&@ ust re(e(!er not to o<er9re#y on the on#ine stu88: you<e got to get out and a'tua##y (eet :eo:#e, and 3(ore i(:ortant#y7 #et the( (eet you& A#so, try to a<oid a key (istake (any une(:#oyed :eo:#e (ake: s:ending too (u'h ti(e around other une(:#oyed :eo:#e& The %ay to 8ind a Bo! is to net%ork %ith e(:#oyed :eo:#e& When net%orking, re(e(!er that :eo:#e are (ore %i##ing and a!#e to he#: i8 they 'an easi#y <isua#iCe you in the ro#e to %hi'h you as:ire& So, dress a::ro:riate#y, ha<e your 5 (inute ?e#e<ator s:ee'h@ and other dia#og %e## rehearsed, and ha<e 'o:ies o8 your !usiness 'ard and resu(e a<ai#a!#e to hand out& 4e :ro8essiona# and :re:ared, in other %ords& -5& =reate Ti(e Its a 8u##9ti(e Bo! to 8ind %ork& +kay, thats a '#i'h[& 4ut it a#so ha::ens to !e true& Are you on !oard %ith thatU And, Bust as i(:ortant#y, are your 8a(i#y and 8riendsU It (eans that you shou#d !e s:ending around E0 hours a %eek #ooking 8or %ork& And that (eans you :ro!a!#y shou#dnt !e doing any (ore house%ork, 'hores or 8a<ors than you did %hen you %ere e(:#oyed , idea##y, in 8a't, you shou#d !e doing #ess, sin'e #ooking 8or %ork is usua##y harder and (ore stress8u# than ho#ding do%n a Bo!, and so you need (ore re'u:eration ti(e& +8ten, it doesnt %ork that %ay, though& Peo:#e see that youre une(:#oyed and assu(e youre 8ree 8or e>tra 'hi#d'are, househo#d 'hores and e<en <o#unteer %ork& And, #ets 8a'e it: its te(:ting to do those things, Bust to he#: :eo:#e out and 8ee# :rodu'ti<e and kee: your (ind o88 your trou!#es& 4ut you need to !e 'are8u# not to #et rando( a'ti<ities , e<en kind ones , distra't you 8ro( your (ission, or de:#ete your energies so that you 'ant do it e88e'ti<e#y& I dont %ant you to ski(: on your se#89'are, either& Id #ike to see a (ini(u( o8 an hour a day o8 ?(e@ ti(e and re'reation, and t%o hours is !etter& In 8a't, i8 you on#y ha<e E0 hours tota# to s:end on !oth #ooking 8or %ork and se#89'are, Id rather see D0 #ooking and -0 se#89'are than E0 #ooking and 0 se#89'are& As dis'ussed in =ha:ter -0, se#89'are strengthens and su::orts you so that you 'an get (ore done in the D0 hours: its a good in<est(ent& The !est %ay to (anage your ti(e is to 'reate a %eek#y s'hedu#e in %hi'h #ooking 8or %ork and se#89'are are the 'enter:ie'e o8 your days the %ay %orking %i## !e on'e youre e(:#oyed again& I8 :ossi!#e, share that s'hedu#e %ith your 8a(i#y and 8riends, and ask 8or their su::ort and 'oo:eration in sti'king to it& Too o8ten, %e (ake the (istake o8 assu(ing no one %i## he#: us , that :essi(is( thing, againF , %hen the rea#ity is that our #o<ed ones %ou#d #o<e to he#: us, !ut dont kno% ho%& Te## the( ho% , and a#so te## the( %hy, so that they understand the 'onte>t !ehind your needs and reAuests& That %i## he#: the( 8ee# (ore
in<o#<ed and 'o((itted, and they (ay a#so ha<e so(e use8u# 8eed!a'k& +8 'ourse, theres a#%ays the 'han'e that your 8a(i#y and 8riends %ont !e su::orti<e& Thats a !itter :i##, !ut in that 'ase, its u: to you to :rote't and de8end your s'hedu#e& And #a'k o8 su::ort at ho(e (akes it a## the (ore 'ru'ia# that you 8o##o% the ad<i'e in the :re<ious 'ha:ter and 'reate a su::orti<e, su''ess98o'used 'o((unity around yourse#8& -D& 4e Fruga# Why a 'ha:ter on 8ruga#ity in a !ook on ho% to get a Bo!U 4e'ause 8ruga#ity 'reates 8reedo( , 8or instan'e, the 8reedo( to 'hoose an interesting Bo! that :ays #ess o<er a !oring one that :ays (ore& +r, the 8reedo( o8 not ha<ing to re(ain in a 'ra::y or a!usi<e Bo! Bust 8or the :ay'he'k& +r, o8 not ha<ing to endure a #ong, e>:ensi<e, stress8u# 'o((ute 8or that sa(e :ay'he'k& +r, o8 not ha<ing to %ork E0 or (ore hours a %eek %hen youd rather s:end so(e o8 that ti(e %ith your #o<ed ones, art, a'ti<is(, or another i(:ortant :riority& Fruga#ity Q 8reedo(& So(e :eo:#e re(e(!er %hen our so'iety %as (u'h #ess 'o((er'ia# than it is no%& They 'an re(e(!er, 8or instan'e, %hen non9toy 'o(:anies did not ad<ertise dire't#y to 'hi#dren, the %ay Ga:, Nike, A::#e and (any others do no%, on Ni'ke#odeon and e#se%here& When there %erent ad<ertise(ents on s'hoo#!ooks, to## !ooths, and Bust a!out e<ery%here e#se& The :ressure to 'onsu(e !egins ear#y, and it is intense& $esist it& Start do%nsiCing your #i8esty#e e<en i8 you dont 8ee# the i((ediate need to do so& Goog#e ?#i<ing si(:#y@ and ?8ruga#ity@ 8or so(e ti:s, or take out a !ook on those to:i's 8ro( the #i!rary& 3Jont !uy itF7 You## 8ind a %ho#e, hi: 'o((unity out there to su::ort you, as %e## as ser<i'es su'h as 'raigs#ist&org and 8ree'y'#e&org 38or 'hea: or 8ree 8urniture and house%ares7, ti(e!anks&org 38or !arter ser<i'es7, go#o'o&org 38or ride9sharing7, and e<en g#o!a#8ree#oaders&'o( 38or 8ree a''o((odations %hen tra<e#ingF7& ?4e 8ruga#@ is not ne% or radi'a# ad<i'e, o8 'ourse& Near#y 5,K00 years ago, the S:artan king Agesi#aus said, ?4y so%ing 8ruga#ity %e rea: #i!erty, a go#den har<est&@ It %as good ad<i'e then, and re(ains so& +kay, %ere done %ith the Part I& No% onto your Bo! sear'h strategyF
PA$T II& A +49SEA$=H ST$ATEGY THAT W+$NS

-E& 1KOF
1KO o8 :eo:#e s're% u: their Bo! a::#i'ations& 1KO& 1KOF Ho#y 'o%F It see(s in'redi!#e, and yet thats the nu(!er (ost o8ten Auoted& Here are t%o e>a(:#es: In an arti'#e in the A:ri# 6, 500E Wall *treet +ournal, a hu(an resour'es (anager says that a!out 1KO o8 the 'o<er #etters she re'ei<es ha<e ty:os, (iss:e##ings 3in'#uding the re'i:ients na(e7, or other errors& S'ott 4ennett, author o8 the :o:u#ar The #le ents of ,-su - *tyle 3A(eri'an "anage(ent Asso'iation, 500K7 says: ?I8 you<e hired :eo:#e yourse#8, you## kno% the 8o##o%ing to !e true: As an e(:#oyer, i8 you re'ei<e 500 r[su([s 8or an o:en :osition, (ay!e -0 are error98ree 3i8 youre #u'ky7&@1 Thats VMKOV, 8o#ksF "any hirers re:ort the sa(e resu#ts& And its not Bust resu(es and 'o<er #etters, either& Peo:#e s're% u: a## kinds o8 things in their a::#i'ations: They a::#y 8or the %rong Bo!s& They sho% u: #ate or !ad#y groo(ed 8or inter<ie%s& In a 6.-.0E Wall *treet +ournal arti'#e entit#ed ?Jated Suit, Jirty Nai#s =an Ti: the 4a#an'e I8 YouLre o! Hunting,@ %riter oann S& Lu!#in dis'usses the (yriad groo(ing (istakes hirers re:ort ha<ing seen in 'andidates& The #ist is in'redi!#e, a'tua##y, and in'#udes: %earing ina::ro:riate '#othing; %earing dirty or %rink#ed '#othing; %earing '#othes that 8it !ad#y or are years out o8 sty#e; sho%ing u: %ith hair not 'ut or 'o(!ed; sho%ing u: %ith !ad !reath or !ody odor; %earing o!no>ious :er8u(e or a8tersha<e; and %earing too (u'h (akeu: or (akeu: !ad#y a::#ied& They sho% u: un:re:ared or unrehearsed 8or inter<ie%s& They dont send thank you notes& They use the %rong :eo:#e 8or re8eren'es, and.or dont 'oa'h their re8eren'es on the i(:ortant :oints they need to (ake& Et'& That 1KO is !oth good and !ad ne%s, as %e## see !e#o%& N+TE 1& "r& 4ennett and I o!<ious#y disagree on %hether to %rite the %ord ?resu(e@ %ith a''ent (arks& I say no, not Bust !e'ause the a''ents #ook outdated and 8ussy, !ut !e'ause a''ented 'hara'ters 'an get gar!#ed during e(ai#s and 8i#e sends, 'reating a ty:o& I8 your na(e or another i(:ortant %ord 'ontains an a''ent or other dia'riti'a# (ark, okay, you (ight %ant to take the 'han'e , !ut %hy do so unne'essari#yU -K& =o(:eting With the ?Fa! -KO@ The 8a't that 1KO o8 your 'o(:etition s're%s u: is good ne%s, sin'e it (eans youre on#y rea##y 'o(:eting against the re(aining -KO& The !ad ne%s, ho%e<er, is that that -KO is :#aying at the to: o8 their ga(e , and the on#y %ay to 'o(:ete is to do the sa(e: to 'o(:#ete
e<ery ste: o8 the a::#i'ation :ro'ess as '#ose to :er8e't#y as :ossi!#e& That takes a #ot o8 ti(e and e88ort, as these e>a(:#es o8 %hat you shou#d do VVV8or ea'h and e<ery i(:ortant Bo! o:eningVVV i##ustrate: V$esear'h: You shou#d 'ondu't e>tensi<e resear'h, not Bust a!out the 'o(:any and its :rodu'ts or ser<i'es, !ut its 'usto(ers and 'o(:etition, and trends in its industry and 'usto(ers industries& +h, and re#e<ant o<era## e'ono(i' and :o#iti'a# trends& VEditing: Edit your a#ready9edited resu(e and 'o<er #etter so that they are targeted :re'ise#y at this :arti'u#ar o:ening& 3It o8ten takes hours, i8 not a day or (ore&7 Then, sho% the do'u(ents to your (entors and edit so(e (ore !ased on their 8eed!a'k& V$ehearse: $ehearse ten or (ore ti(es 8or your inter<ie%& Not 8i<e or eight, !ut ten& Go o<er e<ery Auestion you are #ike#y to !e asked, and :ra'ti'e, :ra'ti'e, :ra'ti'e unti# you 'an de#i<er your ans%ers s(ooth#y and 'on'ise#y& VGroo(ing: Sho% u: 8or inter<ie%s i((a'u#ate#y groo(ed, %ith no detai# a(iss& V$e8eren'es: =are8u##y se#e't the :eo:#e %ho( you %ant to ser<e as re8eren'es 8or this :arti'u#ar o:ening, and then ad<ise the( on the s:e'i8i' things they 'ou#d say a!out you that %ou#d !e (ost he#:8u#& A#so, :resent their 'o(:#ete 'onta't in8or(ation to the hirer in an attra'ti<e 8or(at& VThank you notes: Send (eaning8u# thank you notes, and other%ise stay in 'are8u# tou'h %ith the hirer& I8 these e>a(:#es see( to re:resent an e>tre(e a(ount o8 ti(e and e88ort to de<ote to one o:en :osition, then that (ay !e %hy you ha<ent !een getting o88ers& It does take a #ot o8 ti(e and e88ort to 'o(:ete %ith the ?Fa! -KO&@ "ay!e it didnt take so (u'h e88ort to get a Bo! a 'ou:#e o8 generations ago, !ut these days it o8ten does, es:e'ia##y i8 you ha<e any %eaknesses in your !a'kground or ski##s, %hi'h %e :retty (u'h a## do& P#ease dont get s'ared o88 !y a## the %ork, though& As you## #earn in the ne>t 'ha:ter, (y suggestion is that you a::#y %ith great intensity 8or a s(a## nu(!er o8 Bo!s& That kee:s the %ork#oad (anagea!#e& A## this %ork, !y the %ay, is si(i#ar to %hat anyone does %ho 'o(:etes in a high#y 'o(:etiti<e 8ie#d& Think, 8or e>a(:#e, o8 e#ite ath#etes, %ho ai( to :er8e't e<ery as:e't o8 %hat they are doing and try ne<er to 'ut 'orners& Fa(ed 2=LA !asket!a## 'oa'h ohn Wooden on'e said: ?I did ta#k a!out :er8e'tion Hto (y :#ayersI& I said it %as not :ossi!#e& 4ut I said its not i(:ossi!#e to try 8or it& Thats %hat %e did in e<ery :ra'ti'e and ga(e&@ -6& HIAP <s& Wi##y9Ni##y I( not a s:orts 8an, !ut I( guessing that Woodens tea( didnt :#ay against e<ery To(, Ji'k and Harry !asket!a## tea( that %as out there& No, I( :retty sure they %ere se#e'ti<e, :#aying on#y against other N4A tea(s, and at so(e s:e'ia# e<ents, and on a s'hedu#e that a##o%ed the( :#enty o8 ti(e 8or rest and :ra'ti'e in !et%een ga(es& +ther%ise, ho% 'ou#d they :ossi!#y !e e>:e'ted to do their !estU And ho% 'an Y+2 !e e>:e'ted to do your !est, i8 youre !usy a::#ying %i##y9ni##y to a## kinds o8 se'ond9 and third9rate o::ortunitiesU
Near9:er8e'tion, as dis'ussed a!o<e, takes a #ot o8 ti(e and e88ort& I8 youre going to ai( 8or it in your Bo! sear'h, it a#(ost 'ertain#y (eans a::#ying 8or Bust a 8e% Bo!s at a ti(e& Whi#e that (ay sound #ike youre s'ari#y #i(iting your o:tions, it a'tua##y i(:ro<es your odds o8 getting hired !e'ause ea'h a::#i'ation is rea##y strong and ho:e8u##y de<oid o8 the kinds o8 :ro!#e(s (entioned in =ha:ters -E and -K& 3$e(e(!er: I use the %ord ?a::#i'ation@ to re8er not Bust to the :a:er a::#i'ation you 8i## out, !ut the entire a::#i'ation :ro'ess&7 I 'a## the strategy o8 a::#ying 8or a 8e% Bo!s in a high#y 'usto(iCed %ay, and %ith great intensity and 8o'us, the High9Intensity A::#i'ation Pro'ess 3HIAP7& HIAP in'reases the 'han'es, at ea'h stage o8 the a::#i'ation :ro'ess, that you %i## !e (o<ed to the ne>t stage, so&&& HIAPy resear'h and net%orking shou#d in'rease the 'han'es that your resu(e %i## !e serious#y 'onsidered& A HIAPy resu(e and 'o<er #etter shou#d in'rease the 'han'es that you #and a :hone inter<ie%& A HIAPy :hone inter<ie% shou#d in'rease your 'han'es o8 #anding an in9:erson one& A HIAPy in9:erson inter<ie% shou#d in'rease the 'han'es o8 your !eing short9#isted 8or the :osition& And a## o8 these :#us your HIAPy re8eren'es shou#d great#y in'rease your 'han'es o8 getting an o88er& So(eti(es, :eo:#e ask %hats the har( in a::#ying 8or a 8e% Bo!s using HIAP, and !un'hes o8 ?se'ondary Bo!s@ using standard, #o%9intensity te'hniAues #ike shooting o88 a Aui'k resu(e in res:onse to an ad& The har( is that the %i##y9ni##y ?shooting@ a::roa'h usua##y %inds u: taking %ay (ore ti(e and energy than %e :redi't, and distra'ts us 8ro( our HIAP e88ort& Another :ro!#e( %ith %i##y9ni##y is that you (ay de'ide, one day, that one o8 your se'ondary 'hoi'es is %orthy o8 a HIAP e88ort, !ut no% you<e 'o(:ro(ised the resu#t !y ha<ing :re<ious#y sent in a #a(e resu(e and 'o<er #etter& I8 you 'an s:end a 8e% hours :osting a strong, genera#iCed resu(e on an Internet Bo! !oard, I dont ha<e a :ro!#e( %ith that& 4ut any Bo! you rea##y %ant is %orth a::#ying 8or using HIAP& Another ad<antage o8 HIAP o<er %i##y9ni##y is that %ith HIAP you are using your !rain throughout the a::#i'ation :ro'ess, so that your Bo! a::#i'ation ski##s, and 'han'es o8 !eing hired, shou#d i(:ro<e o<er ti(e& Gi<en this, as %e## as the i(:ro<ed odds o8 getting hired, a## the su::osed#y ?e>tra@ %ork you are :utting in %ith HIAP shou#d, in the end, sa<e you #oads o8 ti(e and grie8& Lets dis'uss so(e (ore o8 the 8unda(enta# 'on'e:ts under#ying HIAP& -/& Jo it Like Jud#ey Say t%o (en !oth %ant to (arry a %o(an na(ed Ne## Fen%i'k& The 8irst is na(ed Snide#y Whi:#ash, and here is his :ro:osa#: ?4a!y, I( te##ing ya, I %ou#d !e so good 8or you& I( 8antasti', arent IU I( Auite the #ooker, arent IU I dress shar:, and I te## a good Boke, and
I( a great dan'er& I earn a great #i<ing, and e<eryone #o<es (e&&&you %ou#d !e so #u'ky to ha<e (e&&&So ho% a!out it, !a!yU@ The se'ond suitor is Jud#ey Jo9$ight, and here is his :ro:osa#: ?Ne##, (y dar#ing, I #o<e you& You are so 8antasti'; I #o<e ho% kind you are, and ho% 'reati<e, and 8unny& I #o<e your s:ark#ing !#ue eyes, and the shine o8 your 'ur#y !#onde hair& I Bust #o<e e<erything a!out youF So, :#ease (arry (e, Ne##, and (ake (e the ha::iest (an in the %ho#e %or#d& I8 you do, I %i## do e<erything I 'an to (ake you ha::y&@ Who is Ne## (ore #ike#y to a''e:t: Snide#y, %ho a::ears to !e thinking (ain#y o8 ho% great he is, or Jud#ey, %ho a::ears to !e thinking (ain#y o8 ho% great she is , not to (ention, ho% hard he %i## %ork to (ake her ha::yU Jue to his ego(ania or, :erha:s, si(:#e ignoran'e, Snide#y hasnt yet #earned the e#e(enta# truth that, in a :ersuasi<e endea<or, its the 'usto(ers 8ee#ings, needs and goa#s that 'ount, and not yours& ust as Ne## %i## %ise#y 'hoose to go %ith Jud#ey, a %ise hirer %i## go %ith the 'andidate %ho de(onstrates that he, 3-7 understands the hirers needs, 357 %i## %ork hard to (eet those needs, and 3D7 %i## !e thri##ed to ha<e the o::ortunity to do so !e'ause the Bo! in Auestion is Bust so a(aCing& The !etter you are a!#e to 'on<ey this tri:#e9 threat (essage, the (ore you %i## set yourse#8 ahead o8 the (any 'on8used Snide#ys out there %ho %i## insist on !#athering on and on a!out ho% great they are& What are the hirers needsU G#ad you askedF An arti'#e entit#ed, ?-0 $esu(e "istakes That Turn +88 E(:#oyers@ 3Boston Glo&e, /.50.017M !y out:#a'e(ent s:e'ia#ist $ando#:h L& Ste<ens su((ariCes the( neat#y: ?Your resu(e shou#d , in 50 se'onds or #ess , sho% ho% youL## (ake or sa<e (oney, generate ne% !usiness, resurre't and retain e>isting '#ients or 'usto(ers, e>:and and !ui#d re#ationshi:s, and Bust (ake their %or#d a sa8er and (ore :#easant :#a'e&@ I## Bust add that you dont address these needs Bust in your resu(e and 'o<er #etter, !ut throughout the a::#i'ation :ro'ess& N+TE M& htt::..%%%&!oston&'o(.Bo!s.ga##eries.-0Wresu(eW(istakes. -1& HIAP P Enthusias( Q Sa8ety I :arti'u#ar#y #ike that Ste<ens, in his Auote, (entions sa8ety, so #ets ta#k (ore a!out that& Whereas in Part I, I %rote a #ot a!out your reasona!#e 8ears as a Bo! a::#i'ant, no% #ets ta#k a!out the hirers reasona!#e 8ear o8 (aking a !ad hire, %hi'h 'an !e a 'atastro:hi' or e<en 'areer9ending (istake& At the <ery #east, it 'an #ead to %eeks or (onths o8 heada'he, 8o##o%ed !y the :ain and !itterness o8 so(eones !eing 8ired or ha<ing to #ea<e se(i9 <o#untari#y& "ost hirers are high#y (oti<ated to a<oid those out'o(es, and so one o8 your :ri(ary goa#s (ust !e to e#i(inate any 8ear a hirer has o<er you and your a::#i'ation& You<e got to take this goa# <ery serious#y, !e'ause e<en a tiny a(ount o8 8ear is o8ten enough to ki## your 'han'es o8 !eing hired& The hirer %i## :ro!a!#y ha<e so(e 8ear e<en i8 your !a'kground and ski##s see( :er8e't 8or the Bo! in Auestion& I8 theyre not , i8 theres e<en a s(a## ga: or
(is(at'h , the hirer %i## :ro!a!#y !e sti## (ore a8raid& The o::osite o8 8ear, in this 'onte>t, is a 8ee#ing o8 sa8ety& A :ri(e e>a(:#e o8 ho% e#i'iting a sa8e 8ee#ing 'an he#: '#ose a dea# is I4"& ?You## ne<er #ose your Bo! going %ith I4",@ 'or:orate in8or(ation te'hno#ogy 3IT7 :eo:#e ha<e !een te##ing ea'h other 8or de'ades& They (ean that, e<en though I4" (ay not se## the !est or 8#ashiest 'o(:uters and 'onsu#ting ser<i'es, their o88erings are a''e:ta!#e ANJ i8 they so(eho% do s're% u: your :roBe't, they ha<e su'h a strong re'ord that no one 'ou#d :ossi!#y !#a(e you 8or ha<ing hired the( in the 8irst :#a'e& So I4" is :er'ei<ed as a sa8e 'hoi'e, and :ros:ers as a resu#t& I8 you 'an si(i#ar#y 'on<in'e hirers that you are a sa8e 'hoi'e, then you shou#d si(i#ar#y :ros:er& $e(e(!er ho% Jud#ey does it: !y :ro8essing, 3-7 a dee: understanding o8 his !e#o<eds needs; 357 a strong %i##ingness to (eet those needs; and 3D7 the idea that he %ou#d !e thri##ed to ha<e the o::ortunity to do so& In Bo!9sear'h ter(s, this 'o(es do%n to: 3-7 HIAP and 357 te##ing 3and sho%ing7 the hirer that you rea##y, rea##y %ant the :arti'u#ar Bo! shes o88ering& As you %i## see, ?HIAP P Enthusias(@ are a :o%er8u# dou!#e9:un'h that ensures that you are the strongest :ossi!#e Bo! 'andidate& HIAP %orks, in this 'onte>t, !y (aking sure that you ne<er su!(it a resu(e ?'o#d@ i8 you 'an he#: it , that you a#%ays ha<e so(eone the hirer trusts 3idea##y, one o8 her su:eriors or (entors7 re8erring you or other%ise su::orting your a::#i'ation& That a#one great#y di(inishes the hirers 8ears and in'reases her sense o8 sa8ety& HIAP a#so he#:s the hirer 8ee# sa8e !e'ause a HIAPy a::#i'ation ai(s to get a## the detai#s right , %hi'h, as I## dis'uss in =ha:ter 55, is 8unda(enta# to su''ess& E<ery ti(e you (ake a (istake, e<en a tiny one, it 'reates 8ear in the hirer and under(ines your a::#i'ation& 4ut i8 you 8o##o% HIAP, (istakes %i## !e ke:t to a (ini(u(& As 8or the se'ond ta'ti' , indi'ating rea# enthusias( 8or the Bo! in Auestion , it %orks in at #east three di88erent %ays: -7 It is dee:#y 8#attering to the hirer 3stri't#y s:eaking, its 8#attering to her e(:#oyer, a#though she gets to !ask in the re8#e'ted g#ory7; 57 It in<okes the :sy'ho#ogi'a# ?re'i:ro'ity@ :rin'i:#e that %e tend to #ike those %ho sho% #iking and a::re'iation 8or us& Thats :art o8 %hat Jud#ey is doing in his :ro:osa#, and its a#so %hat !a!ies, :u::ies and kittens do to ki##er e88e't& 4ut Bo! a::#i'ants 'an do it, too, e<en i8 theyre not 'ute as a :u::y& D7 +n a (ore :rag(ati' #e<e#, the hirer 'an reasona!#y assu(e that i8 youre tru#y enthusiasti' a!out a Bo!, youre #ike#y to do %e## at it& You 'ant !eat around the !ush a!out your enthusias(, !y the %ay& You 'ant hint at it, or i(:#y it, or assu(e that the hirer %i## get it 8ro( your enthusiasti'9see(ing (anner& You ha<e to state it outright and 'on<in'ing#y& So(eti(e during your a::#i'ation :ro'ess , and, :re8era!#y, ear#y on , you ha<e to e>:#i'it#y say so(ething #ike this: ?This :osition %ou#d rea##y !e an a(aCing o::ortunity 8or (e , its the kind o8 o::ortunity I<e !een ho:ing 8or and :#anning 8or 8or years, a'tua##y& The reason I got (y 'erti8i'ate in GYR and took the Bo! %ith A4= =or:& %as so that I 'ou#d one day Aua#i8y 8or a :osition #ike this&@ And you :ro!a!#y shou#d say it (ore than on'e , %ithout s#i::ing into re:etition or e(:ty 8#attery, o8 'ourse& And you 'ant Bust say it: your resu(e, re8eren'es and other a::#i'ation e#e(ents shou#d de(onstrate it&
-M& HIAP P Enthusias( Q a Fe% Good LAFS The !est out'o(e, %hen you are 8irst !rought to a hirers attention, is that he re8#e>i<e#y thinks, ?This :erson %ou#d !e PE$FE=T 8or our Bo!, and our Bo! %ou#d !e PE$FE=T 8or hi(&@ P#ease note that %ord ?re8#e>i<e#y&@ Idea##y, %e dont %ant the hirer to ha<e to :onder ho% good you (ight !e& We dont %ant hi( to ha<e to (ake a 'he'k#ist o8 your :#uses and (inuses& And %e 'ertain#y dont %ant hi( to rea'h his 'on'#usion a8ter ha<ing had to hunt 8or the i(:ortant :ie'es o8 in8or(ation that you inad<ertent#y !uried a(idst :i#es o8 #ess i(:ortant stu88 in your resu(e& It is :ossi!#e that your a::#i'ation 'ou#d sur<i<e a## o8 those a'ti<ities& 4ut a 8ar !etter situation is %hen the hirer g#an'es at your resu(e, or (eets you in :erson, and thinks, ?YESF This is the one&@ Thats the :ro8essiona# eAui<a#ent o8 ?#o<e at 8irst sight@ 3LAFS7, and i8 you 'an e#i'it that rea'tion in the hirer, then 3in Snide#y9ta#k7 you<e got it (ade, !a!y& To understand %hy, think !a'k to a ti(e %hen you %ere head9o<er9hee#s in #o<e %ith so(eone& =han'es are, you :ro!a!#y thought e<erything that that :erson %as and did %as 8a!u#ous& E<en things you didnt nor(a##y #ike in other :eo:#e , #ike %hist#ing, or eating :eas %ith a kni8e, or doing !oth at on'e , %ere adora!#e in your #o<ed one& Its the sa(e thing %ith Bo! a::#i'ations& I8 you 'an e#i'it LAFS in a hirer, then :sy'ho#ogi'a##y he %i## !e :redis:osed to not on#y :ay (ore attention to your good :oints and #ess to your %eak ones, !ut e<en to see so(e o8 your %eaknesses as strengths& So, 8or e>a(:#e, a (idd#e9aged 'andidate %ho 'an e#i'it LAFS in a hirer is (ore #ike#y to !e seen as ha<ing <a#ua!#e %isdo( and e>:erien'e, as o::osed to si(:#y !eing o#d& And a LAFS9 indu'ing i((igrant %ho s:eaks Eng#ish %ith an a''ent is (ore #ike#y to !e seen as ha<ing <a#ua!#e !i#ingua# and (u#ti'u#tura# ski##s, as o::osed to si(:#y !eing ?di88erent@ and there8ore risky& This (agi'a# shi8t ha::ens !e'ause the hirer is no% oriented to%ard 'o##e'ting data to su::ort his initia# :ositi<e e(otiona# rea'tion to you, instead o8 data that su::orts his 8ears a!out hiring you& LAFS reAuires, 8irst o8 a##, as #itt#e 8ear as :ossi!#e on the :art o8 the hirer& Sin'e HIAP P Enthusias( he#:s (ini(iCe 8ear, it is de8inite#y the %ay to go& HIAP P Enthusias( 'an #ead to LAFS, in other %ords& 4y the %ay, the 'on<erse to e<erything I<e !een dis'ussing is a#so true: that not using HIAP and not sho%ing enthusias( are great %ays to tank your a::#i'ation& The #atter, in :arti'u#ar, 'an !e a :ro!#e( 8or :eo:#e %ho are shy or ha<e trou!#e e>:ressing their 8ee#ings& The so#ution is: 3-7 not to a::#y 8or Bo!s you dont rea##y %ant; and 357 :ra'ti'e inter<ie%ing %ith 'oa'hes, (entors, 8riends or others , kee:ing in (ind that the goa# is not to get a## su:er9e(oti<e, !ut si(:#y to !e a!#e to state and sho% your enthusias(& 50& HIAP P Enthusias( Q The ?"agi' Wand@
HIAP P Enthusias( is as '#ose to a (agi' %and as youre going to get during your Bo! sear'h& Heres a rea#9#i8e e>a(:#e o8 ho% it 'an he#: get you hired e<en against great odds: Years ago, I <o#unteered to he#: a grou: o8 teenage re8ugees get Bo!s& These guys had a #ot o8 (arks against the( as Bo! a::#i'ants: they %ere ne% to the 2&S& and #arge#y un8a(i#iar %ith our 'u#ture; their Eng#ish %as i88y; and, !eyond a## that, they %erent e<en 8a(i#iar %ith (ost o8 %hat %e see around us e<ery day& Try getting so(eone e<en an entry9#e<e# she#89 sto'king Bo! in a su:er(arket %hen he doesnt re'ogniCe the (i#k or orange Bui'e, or has ne<er seen stra%!erries !e8ore& And has ne<er inter<ie%ed 8or a Bo! !e8ore& What these re8ugee teens did ha<e going 8or the( %as, 3-7 (e, using HIAP, and 357 !right, engaging :ersona#ities and terri8i' attitudes& They %ere grate8u# to !e in the 2&S& and grate8u# 8or %hate<er o::ortunities %ere o88ered to the(& They rea##y %anted those she#89 sto'king Bo!s, and dis:#ayed a #e<e# o8 enthusias( that e(:#oyers to#d (e %as !oth unusua# and hard to resist , and so they got hired des:ite their 'onsidera!#e %eaknesses& Jo you re(e(!er =ha:ter Ks dis'ussion o8 ho% (any Bo! reAuire(ents and 'redentia#s are (ore negotia!#e than they see(, and ho% 8ra(ing 'an !e used to high#ight your strengths and dra% attention a%ay 8ro( your %eaknessesU Add to that te'hniAue the a%eso(e :o%er o8 HIAP P Enthusias(& It %ont %ork in e<ery situation, o8 'ourse, !ut it ha::ens a## the ti(e that a %ise and 'reati<e hirer o<er#ooks ga:s in the !a'kground o8 a !right, :ersona!#e, detai#9oriented, high#y9(oti<ated 'andidate %ho has :ut together a terri8i' HIAP Bo! a::#i'ation and sho%s that she rea##y, rea##y %ants the Bo! in Auestion& 5-& Jo it Like Jud#ey 3Part II7 Jid you noti'e ho%, in his :ro:osa#, Snide#y uses the %ords ?I,@ ?I(@ and ?(e@ t%e#<e ti(es , and ?you@ 3re8erring to Ne##7 on#y threeU Jud#ey, in 'ontrast, uses ?I@ and ?(e@ eight ti(es, and ?you@ and your@ ten ti(es& Ne## 'ou#d reasona!#y 'on'#ude that Snide#y is thinking :ri(ari#y o8 hi(se#8, %hi#e Jud#ey is thinking a #ot a!out her& And did you noti'e ho% Jud#ey addresses Ne## !y na(e , <ersus Snide#y, %ho 'a##s her ?!a!y@U In How to Win !riends and .nfluence Peo$le , %hi'h you shou#d de8inite#y read to su::ort your Bo! sear'h , Ja#e =arnegie says, ?A :ersons na(e is to that :erson the s%eetest and (ost i(:ortant sound in any #anguage&@ And did you noti'e ho%, in Jud#eys :ro:osa#, he :ro<ides s:e'i8i' reasons %hy he #o<es Ne##U ust saying, ?I #o<e you,@ isnt enough: i8 you 'ant :ro<ide reasons, the #istener is natura##y going to sus:e't youre !#o%ing s(oke& "oreo<er, you ha<e to o88er reasons that Bi!e %ith the #isteners se#89i(age& I8 Jud#ey to#d Ne## he <a#ued her 8or her !u!!#y :ersona#ity and Cany sense o8 hu(or %hen she sees herse#8 as a serious :erson, shed ha<e good reason to !e ske:ti'a#, i8 not sus:i'ious& Its a## e>a't#y the sa(e %hen youre a::#ying 8or %ork& As dis'ussed ear#ier, you 'ant Bust !#ather on a!out yourse#8 and ho% %onder8u# you are; and you 'ant get a%ay %ith re8erring to the 'o(:any generi'a##y& You need to 'a## the 'o(:any, and the hirer, !y na(e ,
and their :ro:er, :re'ise na(es, !y the %ay& $e8erring to the 'o(:any 'a##ed ?S:a'e#y S:a'e S:ro'kets@ as ?S:a'e#y S:ro'kets,@ ?S:a'e#y@ or 3%orst7 ?S:a'e#ey@ in your 'o<er #etter 'an doo( your a::#i'ation& You shou#d a#so use the 8u##, 8or(a# 'o(:any na(e during inter<ie%s and other 'on<ersations, at #east on'e , not Bust to sho% enthusias(, !ut a :ro:er res:e't 8or the hiring :ro'ess& You a#so 'ant Bust say that you %ou#d #ike to %ork 8or the 'o(:any; you ha<e to say %hy ANJ your reasons (ust Bi!e %ith the 'o(:anys se#89i(age& Te##ing a hirer at a !ank, ?I rea##y #ike the idea o8 %orking 8or an organiCation grounded on traditiona# <a#ues,@ %hen the !ank :i'tures itse#8 as a 'utting9edge, 8or%ard9#ooking organiCation, is yet another 8ata# (istake& Ho% do you 8ind out a 'o(:anys se#89i(ageU 4y thorough resear'h& For starters, read e<ery :age o8 its We!site and 3i8 a :u!#i' 'o(:any7 8inan'ia# state(ents, :aying '#ose attention to su!t#eties o8 %ording, tone and :i'tures& A#so, read the !usiness and trade :u!#i'ations& "ost i(:ortant o8 a##, ho%e<er, is to ask so(eone kno%#edgea!#e& You %i## a#so, o8 'ourse, need to kno% ho% others <ie% the 'o(:any& This in'#udes its e(:#oyees, 'usto(ers, 'o(:etitors, the trade :ress and :erha:s e<en #o'a# :o#iti'ians& Jis're:an'ies !et%een a 'o(:anys se#89i(age and the %ay it is :er'ei<ed 'ou#d indi'ate a :ro!#e( 3so(eti(es serious7, an o::ortunity 8or you to (ake a 'ontri!ution, or&&&!othF So(e (ore ti:s: -7 Jont e<er si(:#y re:eat the 'o(:anys o%n %ords to itse#8 , thats too o!<ious and (any hirers %i## inter:ret it as #aCiness or a #a'k o8 rea# interest& Instead, use the 'o(:anys %ords as a starting :oint 8or your o%n ideas and enthusias(, as in: ?I rea##y #ike that A4= =o(:anys (ission in'#udes, Xa g#o!a# out#ook, !e'ause thats so i(:ortant, these days , and e<en the 2&S& (arket itse#8 is in'reasing#y di<erse& I ha<e a#%ays rea##y enBoyed %orking %ith 'usto(ers and 'o##eagues 8ro( di88erent !a'kgrounds& "y Bo! at A4= =or:& %as a good e>a(:#e&&&@ 57 Ta#k a!out ho% you rea##y #ike the 'o(:anys :rodu'ts, and %hy you think they are i(:ortant and <a#ua!#e, not Bust to the 'o(:anys 'usto(ers, !ut so'iety at #arge& 4e :re:ared to dis'uss ho% they di88er 8ro(, and are !etter than, 'o(:eting :rodu'ts& 34ut ne<er !ad(outh anyone , not e<en the 'o(:anys 'o(:etition , during an inter<ie%F7 As an e>a(:#e: ?I<e tried out a #ot o8 di88erent %idgets, !ut GYR =o(:anys rea##y are the !est and (ost re#ia!#e& Its %onder8u# that you 'an !ui#d that #e<e# o8 Aua#ity into :rodu'ts that the a<erage A(eri'an 'an !uy&@ D7 Praise the 'o(:anys 'u#ture& Thats a great ta'ti', !oth !e'ause (any 'o(:anies %ork hard to esta!#ish a 'ertain 'u#ture, and !e'ause the hirer %i## natura##y assu(e that i8 you #ike his 'o(:anys 'u#ture you## 8it in %e## %ith it& ?Su:er=or: is %e## kno%n to !e a <ery resu#ts98o'used and a''ounta!i#ity98o'used organiCation, and one that a#so :#a'es a strong e(:hasis on tea(%ork and intergrou: 'o((uni'ations& Thats the kind o8 %ork 'u#ture I #ike !est, and that I<e a#%ays done rea##y %e## as :art o8&@ 4y the %ay, te##ing a hirer you %ant to %ork at his 'o(:any !e'ause ?the sa#ary and !ene8its are great@ is #ike te##ing so(eone you %ant to (arry her 8or her (oney& Not a great idea&
55& Jetai#s =ount , In'redi!#yF When I %as gro%ing u: in the -M60s, the 2nited States %as sending (en into s:a'e and to the (oon& E<ery s:a'e (ission %as an in'redi!#y 'o(:#e> :roBe't in<o#<ing tens o8 thousands o8 :eo:#e, so(e o8 %ho( designed and !ui#t the s:a'e'ra8t, %hi#e others designed the #i8e su::ort and other syste(s, :#otted the 'ra8ts traBe'tory, trained the astronauts, or hand#ed so(e other task& E<eryone %orking on those :roBe'ts , a## the NASA and other go<ern(ent :eo:#e, and a## the :ri<ate 'ontra'tors , kne% that the astronauts #i<es #itera##y de:ended on their doing their Bo!s :er8e't#y, and so there %as a genera# ethi' a'ross the entire s:a'e :rogra( o8 Cero to#eran'e 8or errors& No (atter ho% tri<ia# your Bo! see(ed, or ho% tiny a :art o8 the o<era## :roBe't, you ai(ed to do it -00O right& E<en though a Bo! sear'h is not #itera##y a #i8e9and9death strugg#e, it has so(e i(:ortant si(i#arities to a s:a'e #aun'h& In !oth 'ases, you (ust do (any things right to get to your destination 3in the 'ase o8 the Bo! sear'h, an o88er7, and e<en a sing#e (istake , e<en a ?tri<ia#@ one , 'an doo( your endea<or& So I %ou#d #ike you to take an A:o##o9#ike ?Cero error@ a::roa'h to your Bo! sear'h& Rero error (eans (any things, in'#uding: -7 In'#uding the right in8or(ation in your a::#i'ation& This is usua##y HIAPy in8or(ation that sho%s the hirer not Bust generi'a##y %hat a great 'andidate you are, !ut %hy you %ou#d !e terri8i' 8or her s:e'i8i' Bo!, and a#so ho% e>traordinari#y ha::y you %ou#d !e to get it& Lets su::ose you are seeking a :ur'hasing Bo! at a (ediu(9siCed high te'h 'o(:any& A HIAPy resu(e %ou#d e(:hasiCe e>:erien'e you<e had in (ediu(9siCed and high te'h 'o(:anies, as %e## as your e>tensi<e e>:erien'e %ith the :arti'u#ar :ur'hasing so8t%are that this 'o(:any uses 3a 8a't you un'o<ered through di#igent resear'h7& And :erha:s your :ersona# e(ai# address %ou#d !e so(ething #ike :ur'hasing:ro)ISP&'o(, and your re8eren'es, %hen they are 'a##ed, %ou#d ta#k s:e'i8i'a##y a!out ho% %e## you 8it into (ediu(9 siCed 'o(:anies and te'h 'u#ture, a#ong %ith your !roader :oints o8 e>'e##en'e& Your goa#, !y the %ay, is not si(:#y to :it'h a #ot o8 detai#s at the hirer, !ut to 'reate a 'o(:e##ing narrati<e or 8ra(e 3see =ha:ter 5/7 that he#: her re8#e>i<e#y 8ee# that you %ou#d !e :er8e't 8or the Bo!& And %hat do I (ean !y ?'o(:e##ing@U HIAP P Enthusias(, o8 'ourseF 57 Jee(:hasiCing in8or(ation that under(ines your narrati<e& I8 our a::#i'ant had s:ent (u'h o8 his ti(e in the Fortune K00, he %ou#d in'#ude that in8or(ation, o8 'ourse, !ut :ossi!#y dee(:hasiCe it 'o(:ared %ith his (ediu(9siCed !usiness e>:erien'e& 3"any s(a##er 'o(:anies are not ne'essari#y i(:ressed %ith Fortune K00 e>:erien'e , it raises the Auestions o8 %hether you %ou#d !e ha::y in a s(a##er setting, and %hether you 'an 8un'tion %ithout a !ig9'or:oration in8rastru'ture& "any %ou#d rather see #ots o8 e>:erien'e at si(i#ar#y9siCed, or so(e%hat #arger, 'o(:anies&7 D7 +(itting unne'essary, distra'ting or har(8u# in8or(ation su'h as the year o8 your 'o##ege degree, %hi'h %i## si(:#y !e used to date you& +r, that %eird te(: Bo! you took %hen you %ere des:erate 8or 8unds& +r, that you took a re(edia# %riting or (ath 'ourse& 3"any :eo:#e in'#ude that #ast !it o8 in8or(ation to sho% their 'o((it(ent to edu'ation, !ut it 'an
easi#y !a'k8ireF7 E7 And, o8 'ourse, Cero error (eans no errorsF No ty:os, (iss:e##ings, !ad gra((ar, in'orre't.in'onsistent :un'tuation, 8unky 8or(atting, or other errors& It a#so (eans that a## your %ords are 'are8u##y 'hosen and a''urate: that you dont, 8or instan'e, use ?:ur'hasing@ %hen you rea##y (ean ?:ro'ure(ent&@ Whats the o::osite o8 HIAP and Cero9errorU Generi' and s#o::y& A non9HIAPy resu(e (ight not 'ontain the right Bo!9s:e'i8i' detai#s, or, i8 it does, they %i## !e !uried under a s#e% o8 #ess9i(:ortant in8or(ation& I8 the hirer is <ery (oti<ated and.or ni'e, she (ight do the %ork o8 :i'king out the i(:ortant nuggets, !ut theres a good 'han'e she %ont , and %hy take that 'han'eU A non9HIAPy resu(e %i## a#so #ike#y 'ontain errors, or si(:#y !e #ess than it 'ou#d !e , #ess %e## %ritten, #ess %e## 8or(atted, #ess reada!#e, #ess 'o(:e##ing& And %hi#e the a!o<e e>a(:#es :ertain s:e'i8i'a##y to your resu(e, you need to ai( 8or Cero errors throughout the entire a::#i'ation :ro'ess& A Cero9error inter<ie%, 8or instan'e, reAuires that you !e i((a'u#ate#y groo(ed, intensi<e#y rehearsed, :un'tua# 3or ear#y7, :ro:er#y HIAPy and enthusiasti', et'& The di88eren'e in resu#t you## get 8ro( a HIAPy, Cero9error a::#i'ation <ersus a generi' and s#o::y one is :ro8ound& A HIAPy a::#i'ation shou#d, as dis'ussed in =ha:ter -K, in'rease the odds that you## :rogress to the ne>t stage o8 the a::#i'ation :ro'ess& In 'ontrast, a generi' one %i## not on#y not de'rease those odds, !ut do so dra(ati'a##y , so that you %i## :ro!a!#y !e reBe'ted 8air#y ear#y on, and %ith the hirer ha<ing taken no (ore than a 'ursory #ook at your resu(e& The !otto( #ine is that there are N+ uni(:ortant detai#s in a Bo! sear'h: e<en a sing#e error 'an ki## your 'han'es o8 getting hired& I8 you<e !een getting the detai#s %rong, %e##, %e#'o(e to the 1KO '#u!& I 'ant 'ount the nu(!er o8 :eo:#e I<e (et %ho ha<e s%orn u: and do%n that theyre not getting hired !e'ause o8 a !ad Bo! (arket, dis'ri(ination, et'& , %hen their do'u(ents and :resentation 'ontain o!<ious errors& There (ay or (ay not ha<e !een a !ad (arket or dis'ri(ination, !ut one thing is 8or sure: these :eo:#e %ere sa!otaging their 'han'es& I8 you ha<e to#d yourse#8 things #ike, ?Who rea##y 'ares i8 I :ut a 'o((a in the %rong :#a'eU@ or ?No one %rites thank you notes any (ore,@ or ?No one e>:e'ts engineers to !e 8an'y dressers,@ youre !oth %rong and (issing the :oint& "ost hirers do indeed :ay '#ose attention to those kinds o8 detai#s, seeing the( as re8#e'ti<e o8 your :ro8essiona#is(, Budg(ent and eagerness to #and the Bo!; and you a#so dont kno% %hi'h :arti'u#ar detai#s a gi<en hirer %i## 'onsider es:e'ia##y i(:ortant& 3So(e 'are (ore a!out '#othing, so(e a!out your re8eren'es, so(e a!out the e>'e##en'e o8 your do'u(ents, et'&7 So you ha<e to get the( a## right& +8 'ourse, HIAPy (eans di88erent things in di88erent industries and di88erent 'onte>ts: the engineer :ro!a!#y doesnt need to #ook as s#i'k as a !anker or as snaCCy as an ad<ertising e>e'uti<e& He shou#dnt sho% u: #ooking #ike a ru(:#ed nerd, though: as dis'ussed in =ha:ter 5K, the days %hen ru(:#ed nerdiness %as o<er#ooked, or e<en 'onsidered an asset, are #ong :ast& =he'k %ith your (entors on %hats right 8or your industry and the kinds o8 Bo!s youre a::#ying 8or& There are t%o i(:ortant te'hniAues 8or getting the detai#s right, !y the %ay:
:roo8reading and rehearsing& You need to :roo8read a## your do'u(ents in'redi!#y 'are8u##y, and ha<e others :roo8read the( as %e## , and you need to :roo8read again a8ter e<en (inor 'hanges& And, as I (entioned in =ha:ter -E, you need to rehearse inter<ie%s, :hone 'a##s, net%orking :it'hes and other 'o((uni'ations at #east ten ti(es& HIAP is not ro'ket s'ien'e , its easy enough to understand ho% it %ork& The hard :art a!out it is dis'i:#ining yourse#8 not to 'ut 'ornersF 5D& Ri: to ItF $e(e(!er ho%, in his arti'#e on resu(e (istakes, out:#a'e(ent s:e'ia#ist $ando#:h Ste<ens said you ha<e 50 se'onds to get your se##ing :oints a'ross in your resu(eU We##, s:eed is i(:ortant in other %ays, too& Its a good idea, in (any 'ases, to res:ond to a Bo! ad or #isting %ithin 5E hours o8 its a::earan'e& Joing so, :arti'u#ar#y %ith a 8a!u#ous, 'usto(iCed HIAPy resu(e and 'o<er #etter , not to (ention a :ersona# 'a## 8ro( an in8#uentia# :erson on your !eha#8 9 te##s the hirer !oth that youre !oth on the !a## and rea##y, rea##y %ant the Bo!& 3The hirer doesnt need to kno% you stayed u: a## night editing your do'u(ents, and i8 he guesses as (u'h, no :ro!#e(: it (akes you #ook e>tra9(oti<ated&7 +n the other hand, %aiting e<en a sing#e e>tra day to a::#y (akes you #ook #ess on the !a## and #ess (oti<ated, es:e'ia##y 'o(:ared %ith a## the :eo:#e %ho got their stu88 in Aui'ker& And %aiting a 8e% days %i## :ro!a!#y #ea<e you out o8 the running& +8 'ourse, you 'ant res:ond to an ad %ithin a day i8 you dont e<en 8ind it 8or se<era# days or %eeks& Thats an easy (istake to (ake in non9HIAPy Bo! sear'hes, %hi'h ty:i'a##y in<o#<e ha:haCard#y 'he'king (any ne%s:a:ers and We! sites& In HIAP, in 'ontrast, you identi8y 8i<e to ten key e(:#oyers you rea##y %ant to %ork 8or, and kee: a '#ose eye on the(, and net%ork intensi<e#y around the(& You 'an e<en , and shou#d , :re:are :arts o8 your a::#i'ations 8or the( in ad<an'e o8 a Bo! o:ening u:& A## this (akes it (u'h easier to res:ond %ith a 8antasti' resu(e and 'o<er #etter %ithin 5E hours& There are t%o other reasons to res:ond to :ostings <ery Aui'k#y: -7 With so (any 'andidates a::#ying 8or ea'h Bo!, (any hirers dont e<en !other #ooking at resu(es !eyond the 8irst thirty or 8orty they re'ei<e , and it o8ten on#y takes a day to get to that nu(!er& "ight they (iss a 8antasti' 'andidate %ho ha::ens to 'o(e in at nu(!er EKU +8 'ourse: !ut theres no guarantee o8 that, and (any hirers are not rea##y trying to hire the ?u#ti(ate@ 'andidate so (u'h as a 'o(:etent and sa8e one as Aui'k#y and easi#y as :ossi!#e so they 'an get !a'k to a## their other %ork& 57 Additiona##y, (any hirers are taught that its i(:ortant to treat e<ery 'andidate e>a't#y the sa(e %ay, as a :rote'tion against a''usations o8 dis'ri(ination& 3?Get the sa(e nu(!er o8 re8eren'es 8ro( e<ery 'andidate,@ a hu(an resour'es :erson on'e dru((ed into (e& ?Jont gi<e one :erson a %riting test %ithout gi<ing e<eryone e#se one&@ ?"ake sure you des'ri!e the Bo! in e>a't#y the sa(e %ay to e<eryone&@ Et'&7 Je'iding to ignore a## resu(es re'ei<ed a8ter the 8irst thirty or 8orty is one %ay to Aui'k#y e#i(inate (any 'andidates, in'#uding :resu(a!#y (any #ess9(oti<ated or #ess9sa<<y ones, %ithout !eing dis'ri(inatory&
What i8 a 'o(:any announ'es it %i## !e 'o##e'ting resu(es o<er a :eriod o8 ti(e , say, a (onthU In that 'ase, its okay i8 you %ant to take a 8e% e>tra days to :re:are your resu(e and 'o<er #etter& I %ou#d sti## try to a::#y ear#y, ho%e<er, and I %ou#d a#so take the e>tra ste: o8 e(ai#ing the hirer to%ard the end o8 the (onth and re(inding her that you are sti## <ery interested in the :osition 3and, Jud#ey9#ike, #isting the s:e'i8i' reasons %hy7& Joing so he#:s you not get #ost in the :i#e, %hi#e you sti## retain 'redit 8or !eing an enthusiasti' ear#y a::#i'ant& I8 you 'an (ention so(e ne% a'hie<e(ent o8 yours or so(e use8u# ne% tid!it o8 in8or(ation, that %i## (ake your re(inder e(ai# e<en (ore <a#ua!#e and (e(ora!#e& Faster Than a S:eeding Ad<ertise(ent A (u'h !etter strategy than res:onding to an ad %ithin one day is to res:ond in 9-, 9-0 or 9-00 days: (eaning, !e8ore the Bo! is e<en ad<ertisedF You do this not !y s:inning the %or#d !a'k%ards to re<erse ti(e #ike Su:er(an, !ut !y identi8ying :#a'es you %ant to %ork and 'u#ti<ating a re#ationshi: %ith the( e<en !e8ore they ha<e an o:ening& The !asi' :#an is to #o'ate so(eone in the organiCation , so(eti(es an H$ :erson, !ut a de:art(enta# (anager or senior e>e'uti<e is usua##y !etter , and 'onta't the( %ith a (essage si(i#ar to this: ?Your 'o(:any is rea##y a #eader in our 8ie#d, and you are a#so a high#y regarded #eader in our 8ie#d& You dont a::ear to ha<e any Bo! o:enings right no%, !ut I %ou#d rea##y #ike to %ork 8or your 'o(:any.%ith you one day& I kno% you (ust !e <ery !usy, !ut i8 you ha<e a 8e% (inutes to dis'uss the kinds o8 Aua#i8i'ations you #ook 8or in ne% hires, Id !e grate8u#&@ You 'an e(ai# the( that (essage ?'o#d,@ !ut its (u'h !etter i8 you (eet that :erson at a net%orking e<ent and de#i<er it in :erson, or ha<e a (entor or other 'onta't (ake an introdu'tion& This :ro'ess, %hi'h I 'a## :roa'ti<e Bo! de<e#o:(ent, 'an resu#t in %hat is 'a##ed an in8or(ationa# inter<ie%, a re#ati<e#y re#a>ed, #o%9stress e<ent in %hi'h e<eryone 8ee#s good 3you, !e'ause youre ta#king to a :otentia# hirer %ithout the stress o8 a'tua##y !eing inter<ie%ed; the hirer, !e'ause your Cea# to %ork in his organiCation, or 8or hi(, is 8#attering7& In8or(ation inter<ie%s 'an take :#a'e on the te#e:hone, a#though, o8 'ourse, an in :erson (eeting is !etter: either %ay, i8 you (ake a good i(:ression, and 'ontinue to (aintain the re#ationshi:, the hirer %i## #ike#y 'onta't you %hen theres an o:ening , or e<en !e8ore the o:ening a'tua##y e>ists& "oreo<er, your a::#i'ation %i## #ike#y not !e !uried in a sta'k o8 doCens, !ut :#a'ed in the short :i#e to !e 'a##ed in 8or an inter<ie% , and that inter<ie% itse#8 'ou#d e<en !e a 8or(a#ity, sin'e the hirer, or so(eone he trusts or is ans%era!#e to, a#ready kno%s you and 8ee#s sa8e hiring you& Proa'ti<e Bo! de<e#o:(ent is the %ay to go, and sa<<y :eo:#e do it e<en %hi#e ha::i#y e(:#oyed, so that they<e a#%ays got so(e strong irons in the 8ire and dont risk not hearing a!out good o::ortunities& Yes, its %ork, !ut the !otto( #ine is that, VVVin a #ean Bo! (arket, the traditiona# strategy o8 :assi<e#y %aiting 8or a Bo! to !e ad<ertised !e8ore a::#ying no #onger %orks& What does %ork is :roa'ti<e#y going a8ter Bo!s !e8ore they are e<en o:en !y 'u#ti<ating :ositi<e re#ationshi:s %ith e(:#oyers %ho( you %ish to %ork 8or&VVV The on#y e>'e:tions are 8ie#ds %here there are #oads o8 o:en Bo!s re#ati<e to the nu(!er o8 Aua#i8ied a::#i'ants
3e&g&, nursing7 , and e<en in those 'ases the to: Bo!s %i## :ro!a!#y go to those %ho %ent a8ter the( :roa'ti<e#y& I8 you %ait unti# a Bo! is ad<ertised, so(eone e#se %i## ha<e a#(ost 'ertain#y !eaten you to the :un'h , and e<en i8 they ha<ent, your a::#i'ation is #ike#y to #anguish in a sta'k %ith doCens or hundreds o8 others& True, you (ight get #u'ky and ha<e a di#igent s'reener un'o<er it, !ut do you rea##y %ant to trust your Bo! :ros:e'ts so (u'h to #u'kU "ore on the :eri#s o8 Bust ans%ering ads in the ne>t 'ha:ter&&& 5E& S'anners 3and E(ai#ers and Fa>ers7 Li<e in *ain: Why Te'hno#ogy Isnt Ne'essari#y Your Friend "a'hines dont hire you, :eo:#e do& So, %hen a hirer 'a##s you in 8or an inter<ie% and asks you to su!(it your resu(e <ia his 'o(:anys %e!site, thats a good thing& When you su!(it that sa(e resu(e to the sa(e %e!site %ithout the :ersona# 'onne'tion&&&not so good, sin'e your resu(e is #ike#y to #anguish unread in an in!o> a#ongside hundreds o8 others& "any :eo:#e dont get this& They su!(it their resu(es to doCens or hundreds o8 %e!sites, %ithout any :ersona# 'onta't, and then get 8rustrated %hen they ne<er hear !a'k& ?4ut I<e %orked so hard to get a Bo!F@ they say& ?It isnt 8airF@ 4ut (ere#y re:eating a #o%9 :ro!a!i#ity a'ti<ity does not in'rease your odds o8 su''ess: i8 you su!(it -00 resu(es, ea'h %ith a 0O 3or '#ose to it7 'han'e o8 e<en !eing read, your odds o8 su''ess are sti## around 0O& A 5001 Wall *treet +ournal arti'#e !y oann Lu!#in 'on8ir(s this& In the arti'#e, Ho% to Hunt 8or o!s As Ti(e +ut o8 Work Jrags +n and +n, she %rites: ?&&&#ong9ter( une(:#oyed :eo:#e 8reAuent#y %aste too (u'h ti(e #ooking on#ine& XPosting resu(es on Bo! sites shou#d !e the s(a##est :art o8 your sear'h, !e'ause you rare#y #and :ositions that %ay, says Annie Ste<ens, a (anaging :artner at =#ear$o'k, a 4oston out:#a'e(ent and e>e'uti<e9'oa'hing 8ir(& Near#y t%o9thirds o8 a::#i'ants 8ind %ork through net%orking, E>e'uNet sur<eys sho%&@ "assa'husetts9!ased author Ty#er Fair!ank, %ho( I 8irst Auoted %ay !a'k in =ha:ter E, agrees: ?=#assi8ied ads, %e! !oards, and 'areers 8airs are ne'essary :arts o8 the :uCC#e, !ut are not su88i'ient& You ha<e to go %ay a!o<e and !eyond and start digging& =han'es are there are (u#ti:#e e(:#oyers&&&8or the ty:e o8 %ork you %ant to do& Start to get to kno% those 'o(:anies and kee: yourse#8 3and your resu(e7 in 8ront o8 the(& 4e 'reati<e and do not #i(it yourse#8&@ 3Fair!ank is o!<ious#y a#so suggesting taking a :roa'ti<e a::roa'h, as I suggested in the :re<ious 'ha:ter&7 Heres one (ore, 8ro( ohn =ha##enger, =E+ o8 the e>e'uti<e sear'h 8ir( =ha##enger, Gray Y =hrist(as: ?The key 8or (ost :eo:#e to rea#iCe is that you 'ant 'ondu't your sear'h 8ro( your 'o(:uter& You ha<e to get in 8ront o8 :ros:e'ti<e !osses to get an o88er&@ He adds that, ?It is too easy&&&to s:end hours tro##ing Bo! sites instead o8 doing the harder %ork o8 'a##ing and (eeting :eo:#e&&&&You ha<e to do a :er8or(an'e 'he'k on yourse#8& I<e s:ent so (u'h ti(e on the 'o(:uter, and ho% (any ti(es did I get to the :erson Id !e %orking 8or, not Bust H&$& or a re'ruiterU@-0 VVV+<er9re#ian'e on on#ine Bo! !oards and We!site :ostings is one o8 the
key reasons :eo:#e re(ain une(:#oyed 8or #ong :eriods o8 ti(e& Jue to 'on8usion, or :erha:s a re#u'tan'e to net%ork, (any :eo:#e stu!!orn#y re#y on this 8unda(enta##y %eak strategy des:ite an a!undan'e o8 e<iden'e that it doesnt %ork&VVV There are other :ro!#e(s %ith su!(itting a resu(e on#ine& First, 'ertain strengths and ski##s , su'h as great :eo:#e or :resentation ski##s , dont 'o(e a'ross near#y so %e## on :a:er as they do in :erson& Se'ond, i8 youre not good %ith 'o(:uters, or your Internet 'onne'tion 3or the 'o(:anys %e!site7 is 8#aky, then you (ight not do su'h a good Bo! o8 su!(itting& 3+ne :oint o8 %e! su!(issions, !y the %ay, is to 8i#ter out 'andidates %ho arent good %ith 'o(:uters&7 Third, te'hno#ogy doesnt gi<e you any 8eed!a'k, so you ha<e no idea %hat your odds o8 su''ess are and %hat you 'an do to i(:ro<e the(& +n#y hu(ans 'an gi<e you that 8eed!a'k, and o8ten a senten'e or t%o is a## it takes to gi<e you a rea# edge: ?Wo%, its great youre 8#uent in S:anish& Were %orking to o:en so(e ne% His:ani' (arkets, so !e sure to (ention that to "r& ones %hen he ta#ks to you&@ When In Jou!t, Je#eteF An e>'e:tion to the ?te'hno#ogy is not your 8riend@ ru#e are those sites s:e'i8i'a##y designed to 8a'i#itate :ro8essiona# intera'tion, su'h as LinkedIn&'o( and P#a>o&'o(& So(e Bo! seekers 8ind the( <a#ua!#e, !ut I think theyre not as use8u# as in9:erson net%orking, and thus :erha:s not the !est use o8 your ti(e& I8 you do use the(, you %ant to use the( a'ti<e#y to rea'h out and 8orge ne% 'onta'ts and a##ian'es, not Bust %ait 8or :eo:#e to 8ind you& You a#so %ant to use the( as a 'o(:#e(ent to your in9:erson net%orking, not a re:#a'e(ent& In9 :erson net%orking shou#d a#%ays re(ain your key strategy& What a!out ha<ing your o%n %e!site, %ith your resu(e and other in8or(ation :osted on itU Its essentia# 8or so(e 8ie#ds, and a good idea 8or others , ask your (entors , !ut :ro'eed 'autious#y and re(e(!er that an a(ateurish or ine:t site 'ou#d easi#y hurt rather than he#: your Bo! :ros:e'ts& 4etter no site at a## than a !ad one, or one 'ontaining ina::ro:riate in8or(ation& Whats ina::ro:riateU Thats a tri'ky Auestion& Lea<ing aside o!<ious stu88 #ike :i'tures 8ro( your #ast !eer !ash, (y 8ee#ing is that you shou#d in'#ude no :ersona# in8or(ation on your %e!site, Bust as you %ou#d ha<e no :ersona# in8or(ation on your resu(e& Thats !e'ause you ne<er kno% %hat %i## turn an e(:#oyer o88, and !e'ause e<en stu88 that you see as :ositi<e 'ou#d !a'k8ire& Lo<e to :ost :i'tures o8 your kidsU The e(:#oyer (ight ad(ire your de<otion to your 8a(i#y , or %onder, es:e'ia##y i8 youre a %o(an, i8 youre going to need to take a #ot o8 ti(e o88 8or 'hi#d'are& Like to skydi<eU The e(:#oyer (ight ad(ire your guts, or %onder i8 you## get inBured and raise her grou: insuran'e 'osts& Hea<i#y in<o#<ed in so(e kind o8 'o((unity or :o#iti'a# grou:U She (ight ad(ire your 'o((it(ent, or %onder i8 your in<o#<e(ent %i## inter8ere %ith your %ork duties or re8#e't !ad#y on her 'o(:any& Gi<en that you dont kno% ho% the hirer %i## rea't, %hy introdu'e these :otentia##y sa!otaging :ie'es o8 in8or(ation into your a::#i'ation :ro'essU
When in dou!t, de#ete& These days, o8 'ourse, you shou#d a#so assu(e that :ros:e'ti<e e(:#oyers are Goog#ing you and 'he'king u: on you on Fa'e!ook, "yS:a'e and other so'ia# net%orking sites& You shou#d <isit those :ages yourse#8, 8irst, and :ree(:ti<e#y de#ete anything :otentia##y da(aging or distra'ting, and a#so ask others to de#ete :otentia##y da(aging in8or(ation a!out you 8ro( their sites& P#ease re(e(!er, ho%e<er, that e<en %ith a 8a!u#ous %e!site or other on#ine :resen'e, ?in :erson@ net%orking is %here its at& N+TE: -0& A#ina Tugend, ? o! Hunting isnt What it 2sed to 4e,@ Ne% York Ti(es, M.5/.01& htt::..%%%&nyti(es&'o(.5001.0M.5/.!usiness.your(oney.5/short'uts&ht(#U e(QY:age%antedQa## & The arti'#e a#so :oints out that !e'ause so (any to:9Aua#ity Bo! seekers are staying a%ay 8ro( Bo! !oards #ike "onster&'o(, (any hirers are starting to stay a%ay 8ro( the(, too, and are #ooking e#se%here to 8ind good 'andidates& 5K& ?Te'hni'a# Ski##s@ SQ ?So8t Ski##s@ P 4usiness Sa<<y I8 youre a 'o(:uter geek, s'ientist, te'hni'ian or other te'hie, you :ro!a!#y understood the 'ha:ter tit#e to (ean that, in a Bo! sear'h, your te'hni'a# ski##s are #ess i(:ortant than , or, at !est, eAua##y i(:ortant to , your so9'a##ed ?so8t ski##s@ 3e&g&, 'o((uni'ation, tea(%ork, #eadershi:7 and your understanding o8, and a!i#ity to su::ort, the o<era## !usiness en<iron(ent in %hi'h your ski##s are used& And that :ro!a!#y (ade you (ad& 3I8 youre not a te'hie, kee: reading , this 'ha:ter is 8or you, too&7 Ji#!erts o8 the %or#d, #isten '#ose#y: I kno% you ha<e s:ent years de<e#o:ing your te'hni'a# ski##s, and are :roud o8 the(& 4ut those ski##s shou#d not !e the !e9a## and end9a## o8 your a::#i'ation, 8or t%o <ery good reasons: First, there are :ro!a!#y (any 'andidates out there %ith ski##s eAua# to yours, or e<en , gas:F , a #itt#e !etter& In 8a't, the hirer %i## :ro!a!#y on#y !e 'onsidering :eo:#e %ith great te'hni'a# ski##s, so te'hni'a# ski##s a#one %i## not !e a strong 'o(:etiti<e di88erentiator 8or you or any other 'andidate& Se'ond, (ost e(:#oyers %ant to hire %e##9rounded e(:#oyees& Sure, they## %e#'o(e te'hni'a# !ri##ian'e, !ut on#y i8 its :art o8 a strong o<era## :a'kage& 3"any ha<e had the e>:erien'e o8 hiring an o<er98o'used ?genius,@ %ith !ad resu#ts&7 Who %ou#d VyouV hire, 8or instan'e, gi<en the 'hoi'e !et%een these t%o 'andidates: The 8irst has e>'e:tiona# te'hni'a# ski##s !ut inter<ie%s :oor#y, see(s #ike a #oner, is :oor#y groo(ed, and has #uke%ar( re8eren'es& He a#so see(s arrogant, is a(!i<a#ent or naZ<e a!out the !usiness 'onte>t in %hi'h his %ork takes :#a'e 3?I Bust 'ode and #et the (arketers do their Bo!&@7, ANJ he #a'ks enthusias( 8or the Bo! !eing o88ered& The se'ond has strong, a#though :erha:s not e>'e:tiona#, te'hni'a# ski##s& He a#so has a terri8i' :ersona#ity, #o<es %orking as :art o8 a tea(, has a tra'k re'ord o8 %orking on
:roBe'ts that !oosted 'o(:any re<enues, and a#so terri8i' re8eren'es& +h, and he rea##y, rea##y %ants this :arti'u#ar Bo!& Youd hire the se'ond guyU I thought so& 3And, !y the %ay, those e>a(:#es are not rea##y 8ar 8et'hed&7 Its a 'o((on hu(an 8oi!#e, in'identa##y, to o<eresti(ate the <a#ue o8 assets %e o%n Bust !e'ause %e ha::en to o%n the(& Theres e<en a na(e 8or it, the ?endo%(ent e88e't 8a##a'y&@ In a Bo! sear'h, the EEF tends to (ake you o<er<a#ue the ski##s you think youre good at 3o8ten, your te'hni'a# ski##s7, %hi#e under<a#uing others&-- This 'an not on#y 'ause you to (isread the hirers needs, !ut (ake you arrogant and 'o(:#a'ent& This :ro!#e( is not #i(ited to ?te'hie@ te'hies, either& E<ery Bo! in'#udes a te'hni'a# 'o(:onent , !e it hair sty#ing, 'ar:entry, a''ounting or 'ooking , and thus any a::#i'ant is at :otentia# risk 8or o<er<a#uing his te'hni'a# ski##s re#ati<e to other Bo! reAuire(ents& VVVIn :ra'ti'e, this 8reAuent#y resu#ts in an ?u:side9do%n@ resu(e and inter<ie% in %hi'h the 'andidate e(:hasiCes his #east9i(:ortant Aua#i8i'ations 3the te'hni'a# ones7, %hi#e neg#e'ting or o(itting his (ost9i(:ortant ones&VVV I see this (istake Va## the ti(e,V and dis'uss it 8urther in the ne>t 'ha:ter& Whether youre a te'hie9te'hie or so(e other kind o8 te'hie, i8 this dis'ussion is hitting ho(e, I re'o((end Jr& Lois Franke#s 8a!u#ous !ook *to$ *a&otaging Your Career: / Proven *trategies to *ucceed 0 in *$ite of Yourself 34usiness P#us, 500/& IS4N: 09EE66M/1K907, in %hi'h she dis'usses ho% o<er9re#ying on one or t%o key strengths 'an derai# your 'areer& ?There is no su!stitute 8or te'hni'a# 'o(:eten'e&&&@ she %rites& ?Without HitI you !ui#d a 'areer on Aui'ksand& The :ro!#e( is that (ost :eo:#e %ho derai# re#y on te'hni'a# 'o(:eten'e to the e>'#usion o8 a## other ne'essary !eha<iors& They think that e>:ertise in their 8ie#d shou#d !e enough to (aintain their 'areers& This (ay ha<e !een true in -M60 or -M/0, !ut it is 8ar 8ro( true in todays 'o(:etiti<e %ork:#a'e&@ The ty:i'a# (istakes o<er98o'used te'hies (ake, a''ording to Franke#, in'#ude: o<er#ooking the i(:ortan'e o8 :eo:#e; not 8un'tioning e88e'ti<e#y as :art o8 a tea(; not 8o'using on i(age and 'o((uni'ation; insensiti<ity to the e88e't they ha<e on others; di88i'u#ty %orking %ith authority; too !road or too narro% a <ision; indi88eren'e to 'usto(er or '#ient needs; and a :ro:ensity 8or %orking in iso#ation& "ost o8 us are good at 'ertain things, and !e'ause %ere good at the( %e #ike doing the( , and !e'ause %e #ike doing the( %e do the( a #ot and get !etter at the(& Its a 'y'#e , and not a !ad one, either , e>'e:t %hen you get so 'aught u: in it that you ignore other i(:ortant tasks or 'hara'teristi's& To a<oid that :ro!#e(, de<ote at #east a third o8 your :ro8essiona# de<e#o:(ent ti(e 3'#asses, inde:endent study, (entoring, et'&7 to shoring u: your %eaknesses, as o::osed to !ui#ding on your strengths& Instead o8 taking yet another :rogra((ing or hair sty#ing '#ass, 8or instan'e, take one on 'o((uni'ations, :resentation ski##s or a''ounting& And dont Bust guess at %hat your %eak areas are , ask trusted ad<isors and (entors& +8ten, !y the %ay, our %eaknesses are %eaknesses not !e'ause %ere rea##y !ad at the tasks in Auestion, !ut !e'ause %e ha<ent de<oted enough ti(e to #earning and :ra'ti'ing the(& This 'an ha::en out o8 8ear , 8or instan'e, %hen you a<oid (ath !e'ause you %ere to#d as a kid you %ere !ad at it , or Bust !e'ause you %ere !usy %ith other stu88 during your
'areer& So(eti(es, in other %ords, on#y a s(a## e88ort is needed to turn a %eakness into a strength, or at #east a neutra# Aua#ity& Its a#so a good strategy to assu(e that your 'o(:etition is at #east good as you are, te'hni'a##y& That %i## kee: you hu(!#e and en'ourage you to do your !est at a## as:e'ts o8 the a::#i'ation :ro'ess, instead o8 o<er9re#ying on your te'hni'a# ski##s& ust dont go o<er!oard and de<a#ue yourse#8& N+TE --& Another e>a(:#e o8 the EEF is %hen %e try to se## a 'ar or house 8or (ore than %e ourse#<es %ou#d !e %i##ing to :ay i8 so(eone e#se %ere se##ing it to us& 56& Jont =o((oditiCe Yourse#8 No (atter ho% great your te'hni'a# ski##s are, they shou#d rea##y !e the starting :oint o8 your a::#i'ation, not the end& A :rogra((er %ho re#ies so#e#y on his a#:ha!et9sou: #ist o8 #anguages and 'erti8i'ations 3 a<a, G"L, =SS, Per#, ABa>, et'&7 has :retty (u'h ensured that his resu(e %i## !e :#a'ed in the ?nothing s:e'ia#@ :i#e a#ong %ith those o8 (any other a#:ha!et9sou: a::#i'ants& What hes done, in sa#es ter(s, is turn hi(se#8 into a 'o((odity, %hi'h is a :rodu't or ser<i'e that the 'usto(er 3in this 'ase, hirer7 8ee#s she 'an o!tain 8ro( (any sour'es, and there8ore de<a#ues& 4ut the :rogra((er %ho 'an 'on<ey the 8o##o%ing (essage is anything !ut a 'o((odity: ?We##, yes, I<e !een doing a<a :rogra((ing 8or 8i8teen years, and a( Sun 'erti8ied& And I( a#so high#y e>:erien'ed in G"L, HT"L, Per# and ABa>& 4ut %hat I( rea##y good at is #eading tea(s that de#i<er high9re#ia!i#ity, #o%9(aintenan'e 'ode, and a::#i'ations that are rea##y intuiti<e and easy to use& We did a giant 'usto(er ser<i'e a::#i'ation, #ast year, and it %as so easy to use that there %ere :ra'ti'a##y no training 'osts& It got %ritten u: in =o(:uterWor#d, and #ed to our 'o(:any getting three ne% a''ounts in one (onth&@ Jitto i8 youre a hair sty#ist, 'ar:enter, a''ountant, 'ook or anyone e#se& A good (essage 8or a short9order 'ook to 'on<ey, 8or instan'e, (ight !e so(ething #ike this: ?We##, yes, I 'an :retty (u'h :re:are anything that 'o(es o88 a gri##, and 8or t%o out o8 the #ast three years I<e gotten a 4est =he8 a%ard 8ro( the #o'a# ne%s:a:er& 4ut %hat I( rea##y good at is !ui#ding kit'hen tea(s that %ork together %e## and 'an hand#e rea##y high <o#u(es& In (y 'urrent Bo!, %e<e got 8i<e :eo:#e doing -K0 #un'hes an hour, 8ro( -- ti## 5:D0 e<ery %eekday& And they<e a## !een %ith (e 8or at #east t%o years& 4e8ore I 'a(e on !oard, the restaurant %ere on#y doing 10 #un'hes an hour %ith three e(:#oyees, and the turno<er %as huge&&&@ P#ease note that, in !oth e>a(:#es, the 'andidate is ?doing it #ike Jud#ey@ 3see =ha:ter
-/7: s:eaking to the hirers needs and goa#s& Thats redu'ed 'ode (aintenan'e and training 'osts, and in'reased re<enues, in the 'ase o8 the :rogra((er; and redu'ed o:erationa# 'osts and in'reased re<enues, in the 'ase o8 the 'ook& 3See a :atternU7 Its de8inite#y i(:ortant to (ention your 'erti8i'ations and a%ards, sin'e they (ay !e a reAuired ?'he'k(ark,@ and a#so !e'ause they (ight distinguish you 8ro( other 'andidates and he#: the hirer 8ee# sa8e hiring you& 4ut they :ro!a!#y %ont !e the de'iding 8a'tor that #ands you the Bo!& $ather, it %i## !e your a!i#ity to #isten to, understand, and s:eak to, the hirers i(:ortant needs or <a#ues& This !a#an'ing o8 your te'hni'a# and non9te'hni'a# Aua#i8i'ations shou#d o''ur throughout the a::#i'ation :ro'ess& It shou#d !e <ery o!<ious in your resu(e, inter<ie%, thank you notes, and the things your re8eren'es say a!out you& P#ease note that its not si(:#y a (atter o8 saying a 8e% !uCC%ords, #ike ?I #ike to %ork as :art o8 a tea(,@ !ut sho%ing, through 'are8u# 8ra(ing o8 your e>:erien'e and Aua#i8i'ations that these are 'entra#, i(:ortant <a#ues in your %ork #i8e& 5/& The =ru'ia# I(:ortan'e o8 Fra(ing Fra(ing is the art o8 de'iding %hat ?story@ you %ant to te## a hirer, and then te##ing it e88e'ti<e#y& "ore s:e'i8i'a##y, its a!out %hi'h detai#s you in'#ude or e(:hasiCe in your a::#i'ation, and %hi'h you dee(:hasiCe or o(it& NaZ<e 'andidates think a## they ha<e to do is 'ough u: a #ist o8 their e>:erien'e and Aua#i8i'ations, and theyre done& S(art 'andidates, in 'ontrast, kno% that that #ist is (ere#y the !eginning: on'e you ha<e it, you :i'k and 'hoose, arrange and rearrange, e(:hasiCe and dee(:hasiCe, unti# those e>:erien'es and Aua#i8i'ations add u: to the strongest :ossi!#e story 8or the e(:#oyer it is ai(ed at& 3?Strongest :ossi!#e,@ !y the %ay, (eans HIAPiest and (ost enthusiasti'&7 S(art HIAPy 'andidates ne<er sto: t%eaking their a::#i'ations so that the 8ra(ing is as :o%er8u# as :ossi!#e& Fra(ing is so :o%er8u# that it 'an, and o8ten does, s:e## the di88eren'e !et%een !eing hired and !eing :assed o<er ear#y in the :ro'ess& It is so :o%er8u# that you 'an e<en use it to turn negati<es into :ositi<es& As (entioned in =ha:ter M, %hen %orking %ith i((igrants, 8or e>a(:#e, I o8ten ha<e the( e(:hasiCe their !i#ingua#is( and 'o(8ort %ith di<erse 'u#tures , strong ad<antages 8or (any Bo!s& I a#so o8ten ha<e the( dis'uss the strong tradition o8 hos:ita#ity in their ho(e#ands , another e>tre(e#y attra'ti<e Aua#ity to hirers, es:e'ia##y in 8ie#ds su'h as retai# and touris(& Thus, 8ra(ing 'auses their ?8oreignness,@ %hi'h nor(a##y %ou#d !e neutra# or a dra%!a'k, to (agi'a##y !e'o(e a strong asset& In =ha:ter M, I (entioned ho% (any Bo! sear'hers !e#ie<e that ha<ing one or t%o %eaknesses %i## doo( their a::#i'ation& In so(e 'ases, this (ay !e true, !ut there are (any 'ases %hen it isnt true, and the a::#i'ant is !eing too :essi(isti'& The strategy, in su'h a situation, is not to gi<e u:, !ut 8ra(e #ike (ad& For near#y e<ery %eakness you 'an think o8, theres :ro!a!#y an a#ternati<e e>:#anation or 'o(:ensating 8a'tor that you 'an e(:hasiCe as :art o8 your 8ra(e: For the ?%eakness@ o8 !eing (idd#e aged, theres the 'o(:ensation o8 %isdo( and
Budg(ent 3so(ething that, i8 they thought a!out it, e(:#oyers shou#d <a#ue high#y in a strugg#ing e'ono(y %here theres not (u'h roo( 8or error7& For the %eakness o8 !eing Bust out o8 s'hoo# 3not (u'h %ork e>:erien'e7, theres the 'o(:ensation o8 enthusias(, energy and a %i##ingness to #earn& For the %eakness o8 not kno%ing a 'ertain ski##s, theres the 'o(:ensation that you kno% a## o8 these other i(:ortant ski##s, and are a 8ast #earner !esides& For the %eakness o8 ha<ing s%it'hed Bo!s a #itt#e too 8reAuent#y, theres the 'o(:ensation o8 ha<ing di<erse e>:erien'e and (any 'onta'ts& Et'& A#ong %ith (ini(iCing your :ro8essiona# ?Cits,@ 8ra(ing %i## a#so he#: you de'o((oditiCe yourse#8 3see :re<ious 'ha:ter7 and :resent yourse#8 as so(eone as '#ose to idea# as :ossi!#e 8or the Bo! in Auestion& Heres ho% one 'andidate I kno% did an e>'e##ent Bo! o8 8ra(ing& As a (idd#e9aged, reentering ho(e(aker %ho %as a#so trying to s%it'h 8ro( !anking to non:ro8it %ork, in theory she had three strikes against her , a#though her a::#i'ation %as 8ra(ed so %e## you %ou#dnt say she had any& Heres an e>'er:t 8ro( her 'o<er #etter: ?A8ter near#y t%enty years in !anking, and taking so(e ti(e to raise (y daughters, I de'ided that I %as ready to e>:#ore the ne>t :hase o8 (y 'areer& This ti(e I 8e#t <ery strong#y a!out he#:ing :eo:#e in need&@ Noti'e ho% she (entions her ti(e o88 ear#y on and <ery (atter9o898a't#y& Shes 'on<eying the (essage, ?I dont think its a !ig dea# that I( on (y se'ond 'areer, and a#so took ti(e o88 to raise (y kids 9 and you shou#dnt either&@ I think shes :ersuasi<e on that :oint& She then goes on to des'ri!e 'ourses she has taken in hu(an ser<i'es %ork, and a#so the #ogi' under#ying her 'areer shi8t: ?I !egan to think a!out 'o(!ining (y 8inan'ia# kno%#edge and ski##s %ith (y interest in so'ia# ser<i'es& Finan'ia# #itera'y is one o8 the areas that i((ediate#y 'a(e to (ind&@ 4y 'onne'ting the dots 8or the hirer, she (akes her transition see( <ery #ogi'a#, and her aty:i'a# !a'kground an asset& She 'ontinues the 8ra(ing in her resu(e, %hi'h !egins %ith her re'ent hu(an ser<i'es 'ourse%ork, and then :ro<ides a #ist o8 :ersona# Aua#ities and 'o(:eten'ies that %ou#d !e use8u# in a hu(an ser<i'es organiCation& +8ten, 'o(:eten'ies #ists are generi' and !oring, !ut hers is Auite s:e'i8i' and interesting& The 8irst three entries are: VA!i#ity to understand others e>:erien'es and :ers:e'ti<es; VA!i#ity to understand and inter:ret inter:ersona# data and use it to a''ess situations and strategiCe a::ro:riate res:onses; and VA!i#ity to (o<e 8ro( e>:ert to non9e>:ert ro#e %ith genuine o:enness to !eing in8#uen'ed !y and #earning 8ro( others& These de(onstrate not Bust :ersona#ity traits that %ou#d aid in hu(an ser<i'es %ork, !ut %isdo( and (aturity& As su'h, they are a#so :o%er8u##y :ersuasi<e& +n#y a8ter out#ining her hu(an ser<i'es Aua#i8i'ations does she #ist her !anking Bo!s , the in8or(ation (ost naZ<e 'andidates %ou#d start %ith& And e<en in that se'tion, shes 'are8u# to a<oid Bargon, and to #ist su''esses , ne% a''ounts %on, a%ards re'ei<ed, et'& , that a hirer in a non9!anking 8ie#d %ou#d re#ate to& It shou#d go %ithout saying that, %ith HIAP, you 8ra(e your a::#i'ation not on'e, !ut
8or ea'h indi<idua# Bo! you a::#y 8or& E<en i8 youre a::#ying 8or %ork at 8i<e s(a## a''ounting 8ir(s that su:er8i'ia##y #ook identi'a#, there %i## !e di88eren'es in their history, 'u#ture, a::roa'h, '#ient !ase, %ork (ethods, et'& So(e o8 these di88eren'es (ight !e dra(ati', %hi#e others (ight !e su!t#e, !ut i8 you 'an identi8y the( through resear'h and net%orking, and then s:eak to ea'h 8ir(s indi<idua# needs <ia 8ra(ing, you %i## send a <ery :o%er8u# HIAP P Enthusias( (essage& Yes, 8ra(ing 'an take so(e ti(e, !ut its yet another one o8 those see(ing#y ti(e9 'onsu(ing HIAP tasks that is, in rea#ity, a short'ut to getting hired&
E:i#ogue
At this :oint, (ost Bo! sear'h !ooks %ou#d in'#ude (any 'ha:ters on ta'ti's, in'#uding ho% to net%ork, ho% to %rite a resu(e and 'o<er #etter, ho% to inter<ie%, et'& I dont, so I kno% I( kind o8 #ea<ing you hanging 3e>'e:t dont 8orget to read the three A::endi'es, !e#o%&7 I( not in'#uding those 'ha:ters :art#y !e'ause its a #ot o8 %ork to %rite a 8ree !ook, and so I need to sto: at a reasona!#e :#a'e, and a#so :art#y !e'ause that kind o8 in8or(ation is a#ready a<ai#a!#e 8ro( (any other sour'es& The thing you shou#d do is 8o##o% the instru'tions in those other sour'es %hi#e a::#ying the :rin'i:#es and strategy dis'ussed in this e!ook& This (eans a::#ying HIAP P Enthusias( to a## :hases o8 the a::#i'ation :ro'ess, %hi#e a#so a::#ying 8or Bo!s Aui'k#y, getting the detai#s right, not o<erre#ying on te'hno#ogy, not 'o((oditiCing yourse#8, aggressi<e#y 8ra(ing yourse#8, et'& +h, and a#so 8o##o%ing the 'ru'ia# ad<i'e in Part I: seeking he#: i8 you need it, 'u#ti<ating o:ti(is(, not !eing rigid or :i'ky, in<esting in se#89'are, (anaging your ti(e, !eing 8ruga#, et'& I8 enough :eo:#e te## (e they 8ind this e!ook use8u#, I (ay %rite the ta'ti's :art& Let (e kno%, and in any 'ase, I %e#'o(e your 'o((ents and 8eed!a'k& I %ont %ish you good #u'k on your Bo! sear'h, !ut so(ething (u'h (ore <a#ua!#e , good ski##sF Hi##ary $ettig 4oston, "A , Je'e(!er, 5001 hi##aryrettig)yahoo&'o( APPENJIG I& =o:ing %ith $eBe'tion and +ther Set!a'ks !y Hi##ary $ettig 3sour'e: htt::..#i8e#onga'ti<ist&'o(.!#og.5E-.'o:ing9%ith9reBe'tion9and9other9set!a'ks 7 -& A Serious $eBe'tion I<e !een a :ro8essiona# %riter 8or de'ades, and %hi#e editors so(eti(es send (y %ork !a'k 8or re<ision, its !een a #ong ti(e sin'e a :ie'e %as reBe'ted outright& We##, re'ent#y it ha::ened, and !ig ti(e& The reBe'tion itse#8 %as 'rue# , the editor not on#y 'ritiAued the
arti'#e itse#8, !ut the ideas under#ying it, and in :retty harsh #anguage , and, (oreo<er, the essay in Auestion %as one I %as rea##y :roud o8, and had #a!ored hard on& To (ake (atters %orse, I had !een ?'ourting@ this :u!#isher 3a #i!era# !#og7 8or (ore than a year& I a#so thought that i8 they ran (y :ie'e it %ou#d not on#y gi<e (e huge 'redi!i#ity, !ut huge e>:osure , :ossi!#y e<en a 'areer !reakthrough& So there %as a #ot riding on this :arti'u#ar su!(ission& And, to to: it o88, this reBe'tion 'a(e on the hee#s o8 a !un'h o8 other :ro8essiona# and :ersona# ones& So, taken a## together, it %as a de:ressing s'enario& I a'tua##y %rote a 8riend.(entor a <ery de:ressed note in %hi'h I des'ri!ed the situation and %ondered ?%hether I( on the right :ath&@ 5& =o:ing Phi#oso:hies In a (o(ent, I## share %ith you the a'tions I took to 'o:e& 4ut 8irst #et (e share %ith you the three :rin'i:#es under#ying those a'tions: -7 +!Be'ti<ity& E<en in the de:ths o8 des:onden'y, I sti## stro<e 8or as :ositi<e, or o!Be'ti<e, a <ie% o8 (y situation as I 'ou#d& In the sa(e de:ressed note in %hi'h I Auestioned (y :ath, I a#so %rote that, ?I a( (aking i(:ro<e(ents in a## o8 the areas noted&@ That o!Be'ti<ity is <ery i(:ortant !oth on its o%n (erits and !e'ause it :ro<ides a nu'#eus o8 ho:e that is e(:o%ering& 57 Took the situation serious#y& I think the !est thing I did %as not to underesti(ate the urgen'y o8 the situation, or its :otentia# to under(ine (e& I there8ore took i((ediate strong ste:s to 'ountera't the de!i#itating sha(e it 'aused& D7 2sed the ?!oo(erang&@ This is a te'hniAue 8ro( =aro#yn Sees e>'e##ent !ook 1a"ing a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and %ther 'rea ers, in %hi'h she suggests res:onding to a reBe'tion in an e(:o%ered %ay, su'h as !y %riting a note to the editor thanking her 8or 'onsidering your :ie'e& A'ting e(:o%ered he#:s you 8ee# e(:o%ered, and 'ountera'ts the sha(e& D& The A'tua# =o:ing No%, here are the a'tions I took: When I 8irst read the reBe'ting e(ai#, I 8e#t a <ague disa::oint(ent, !ut the 8u## i(:a't o8 the reBe'tion hadnt sunk in& I (ost#y 8e#t a sense o8 deta'h(ent or disso'iation, %hi'h is a :rote'ti<e strategy& I a#(ost ne<er 8ee# this %ay in (y :ro8essiona# #i8e, any (ore, so this indi'ates a <ery !ad situation& A 8e% (inutes #ater, I %as #ess deta'hed, and a!#e to re'ogniCe !oth the :artia# a''ura'y and ina::ro:riateness harshness o8 the 'riti'is(, as %e## as the 8a't that I had ?8ai#ed&@ Then I did start to 8ee# sha(e: I a'tua##y got si'k to (y sto(a'h& I reso#<ed to %ork hard to 'o(!at (y 8ee#ings o8 sha(e and dise(:o%er(ent& First, I !oo(eranged: I %rote !a'k to the editor and thanked her 8or her 8eed!a'k, and noted that it (ust ha<e !een a di88i'u#t note 8or her to send& 3She a'tua##y shou#dnt ha<e sent it at a##, !ut 'a##ed, gi<en our :ro8essiona# re#ationshi: and the 'ontent o8 her 'o((uni'ation&7 I did
!rie8#y re!ut a 'ou:#e o8 her :oints, !ut that %asnt the (ain :art o8 (y note& She %rote !a'k thanking (e 8or (y ?gra'iousness&@ I %as sti## #e8t 8ee#ing !ere8t& 3This is %hen I %rote the de:ressed note , it %ou#d ha<e !een !etter to 'a## (y 8riend, !y the %ay, !ut he %as out o8 the 'ountry&7 I had no idea %hat to do %ith (yse#8& The dogs, :erha:s sensing an o::ortunity, started '#a(oring to go 8or a %a#k, a#though they had Bust !een out t%o hours ear#ier& Not kno%ing %hat e#se to do, and 8iguring that at #east so(eone in the househo#d ought to !e ha::y, I took the( out 8or a #ong %a#k& It %as 8reeCing out, and the %a#k didnt rea##y he#: (y (ood, !ut it didnt hurt, either& Then I did (y dai#y errands, !ut as I (ade (y rounds, I s:ent a!out \K0 e>tra on treats 8or (yse#8 , 8ood, 8#o%ers, so(e 8un o88i'e su::#ies& So(e :eo:#e (ight see that as irres:onsi!#e or es'a:ist, !ut to (e a treat is Bust that , so(ething you %ou#dnt ordinari#y do& It doesnt ha<e to !e a!out (oney , a #u>urious !athtu! soak or :uttering around in the garden 'an %ork Bust as %e## , !ut o8ten, s:ending a !it o8 (oney does he#:, :ro<ided you dont !reak the !ank& Treating yourse#8 during ti(es o8 'risis sends the (essage that, des:ite the 8ai#ure, you are a good and %orth%hi#e :erson& This is 'ru'ia# !e'ause :eo:#e %ho #et their 8ai#ures de8ine the( o8ten are too a8raid to take risks, and %ind u: %ith a :ro'rastination :ro!#e( or !#o'k& 3Its a#so i(:ortant to treat yourse#8 %hen things are going %e##, !y the %ay , treat yourse#8 as o8ten as :ossi!#eF7 Later that sa(e day, I %as !oosted %hen another %riting :roBe't , #ess i(:ortant, !ut sti## %orth%hi#e , %as !etter re'ei<ed& Around -- :&(& that night, I started %riting this essay& =#assi', e(:o%ered !oo(erang: %riting %e## is the !est re<enge& The ne>t day, I re(ained disa::ointed !ut %as a!#e to (ost#y 'ontinue %ith (y ordinary %ork as i8 nothing had ha::ened& I a#so !egan to 8ee# %hat I 'onsider a hea#thy resent(ent o<er the harshness o8 the reBe'tion& Later, I %as to %rite the editor a!out that , stating (y truth , and her !oss gra'ious#y 'a##ed and a'kno%#edged his organiCations (istakes and a:o#ogiCed& At that :oint, the issue %as tru#y in (y :ast& E&The Lessons When I %as younger and #a'ked strong 'o:ing ski##s, a reBe'tion #ike that %ou#d ha<e set (e !a'k (onths or e<en years& I think the key thing I ha<e #earned is to :rioritiCe 'o:ing %ith set!a'ks, !e'ause i8 you dont 'o:e, the 'onseAuent gui#t, sha(e, and disa::oint(ent 'an re(ain ?un:ro'essed@ and 8ester& "any :eo:#e, either !e'ause a set!a'k is too :ain8u#, or !e'ause they underesti(ate ho% under(ining it has the :otentia# to !e, (ake the (istake o8 trying to ignore their :ain8u# 8ee#ings and :ush on %ith their %ork& A#so, i8 you tend to%ard negati<ity, you (ay (ake the 'o((on (istake o8 ?o<er9 !#a(ing yourse#8&@ Nee:ing an o!Be'ti<e <ie%:oint in %hi'h I took res:onsi!i#ity 8or (y o%n (istakes !ut did not assu(e res:onsi!i#ity 8or the (istakes as others, a#so he#:ed (e re'o<er& It he#:ed enor(ous#y that the editors !oss 'a##ed (e and took res:onsi!i#ity 8or his e(:#oyees (istakes and a:o#ogiCed& 2n8ortunate#y, there are (any :eo:#e in the %or#d %ho
%ont do that& 4ut e<en i8 you are !#a(ed un8air#y , es:e'ia##y i8 you are , you shou#d stri<e to !e <ery '#ear and o!Be'ti<e in your o%n (ind a!out, 3a7 %hat you did %rong, 3!7 %hat you didnt do %rong, and ] %hat others did %rong that 'ontri!uted to the situation; and try <ery hard not #et others 8oist their (istakes onto you& Friends and (entors 'an !e <ery he#:8u# in this regard, %hi'h is one reason you shou#d 'onsu#t the( as soon as :ossi!#e a8ter a serious set!a'k& I## ha<e so(e (ore to say on the i(:ortant to:i' o8 'o:ing %ith set!a'k #ater& "ean%hi#e, I ho:e this essay has !een use8u# to you& I8 you<e got Auestions or are strugg#ing %ith your o%n set!a'k e>:erien'e, 8ee# 8ree to e(ai# (e at #i8e#onga'ti<ist at yahoo dot 'o(& APPENJIG II& The "ar<e#ous "entor "enta#ity and Ho% it =an He#: You Su''eed !y Hi##ary $ettig 3sour'e: htt::..#i8e#onga'ti<ist&'o(.!#og.56-.the9(ar<e#ous9(entor9(indset9and9ho%9it9 'an9he#:9you9su''eed 7 Ho% i(:ortant are (entorsU Lets Bust say that e<eryone I<e e<er (et %ho %as stu'k in their #i8e or 'areer %as se<ere#y under9(entored& In o#den days, (entoring %as :ro!a!#y (ore o8 an auto(ati' :ro'ess: you gre% u: %orking a#ongside your :arents on the 8ar(, or a::renti'ed %ith a 'ra8ts:erson or #o'a# !usiness o%ner& These days, you o8ten ha<e to %ork a #itt#e harder to 8ind (entors& "entoring is genera##y a (ore e>:ansi<e, #ess9stru'tured 8or( o8 tea'hing in %hi'h you gain not Bust kno%#edge, !ut %isdo( and :ers:e'ti<e& "entors are :arti'u#ar#y use8u# 8or #i8e and 'areer :#anning, and 8or guiding you through 'o(:#e> :roBe'ts that %ou#d !e hard to #earn so#e#y through !ooks: 8or instan'e, art, s'ien'e and entre:reneurshi:& "entors are a#so o8ten %e## 'onne'ted, and use their 'onne'tions to he#: their (entees& A sing#e :hone 'a## 8ro( a (entor (ay !e a## it takes to get you a ne% Bo! or a ne% 'usto(er 8or your !usiness& S(a## %onder that :ro:er (entoring 'an take years or e<en de'ades o88 the ti(e it takes you to su''eed at your goa#s , or s:e## the di88eren'e !et%een su''ess and 8ai#ure& Idea##y, you shou#d ha<e at #east one (entor 8or e<ery i(:ortant area in your #i8e, in'#uding not Bust your 'areer !ut (arriage.:artnershi:, :arenting, hea#th and 8itness, :ersona# 8inan'e, and any :assionate a<o'ations #ike art or :o#iti'a# a'ti<is(& You 'an a#so ha<e (entors 8or #i8es s(a##er 'ha##enges& Your !rother9in9#a% the ra!id G^ reader 'ou#d (entor you on 8ashion and groo(ing& +r, your neigh!or %ith the green thu(! 'ou#d (entor you in your Auest to gro% an organi' garden& "any under9(entored :eo:#e assu(e that (entors are in short su::#y, and a#so that :otentia# (entors %ou#d !e un%i##ing to %ork %ith the(& Not soF "entors are e<ery%here, and (any are g#ad to he#:& Here are so(e ti:s on 8inding and %orking %ith (entors& 3-7 Start S(a##& "entors tend to !e !usy :eo:#e %ho get asked 8or he#: a #ot, so(eti(es !y :eo:#e %ho are not serious or 8o'used& There8ore, %hen a::roa'hing a :otentia# (entor, (ake sure she 3or he7 understands that you are one o8 the serious ones !y (aking a s:e'i8i', 8o'used, :ersona#iCed and reasona!#e reAuest, su'h as, ?Your re'ent arti'#e on ho% to gain
'onsensus %ithin di<erse 'o((unities %as a(aCing& I( %orking on a :roBe't to !ring <egetarian (ea#s to our di<erse s'hoo# distri't and a( running into resistan'e 8ro( di88erent grou:s o8 :arents& Wou#d you !e %i##ing to ta#k %ith (e 8or K or -0 (inutes at your 'on<enien'e on ho% I 'ou#d get the( on !oardU@ Note that the asker does not ask the #istener to ?!e (y (entor,@ or e<en use the %ord ?(entor&@ What youre asking 8or right no% is a 8a<or, not a re#ationshi:: i8 the re#ationshi: is destined to de<e#o:, it %i##& Jont 8or'e it& "any :eo:#e %i## res:ond :ositi<e#y to su'h a reAuest , in'#uding so(e %ho( you (ight think too !usy or 8a(ous& +8 'ourse, others %ont& I8 you get reBe'ted !y a :otentia# (entor, dont take it to heart , go right out and ask so(eone e#se& I8 your initia# 'on<ersation goes %e##, theres a good 'han'e the :erson %i## in<ite you to stay in tou'h or 'o(e !a'k %ith other Auestions& No% you ha<e the !eginnings o8 a (entor re#ationshi:& 357 A#%ays 4e Pro8essiona#& When 'a##ing or <isiting a (entor, !e :ro(:t, :re:ared and 8o'used& Jont go :ast the agreed9on ti(e , a#though, i8 the (entor is enBoying the 'on<ersation, she (ight, %hi'h is 8ine& In your dis'ussion, 8o'us on :ro!#e(9so#<ing, rather than on ho% (isera!#e the :ro!#e( is (aking you 8ee#& Later on, send a sin'ere and heart8e#t 3!ut not gushy7 thank you note& 3D7 A#%ays Ask the Ney ^uestion& So(eti(e during e<ery dis'ussion %ith a (entor, you shou#d ask so(ething #ike, ?Jo you kno% o8 anyone e#se %ho (ight !e a!#e to ad<ise (e on this situationU@ And then, o8 'ourse, 8o##o% through& This %i## he#: you !ui#d your (entor net%ork& 3E7 Stay in Tou'h& I8 you 'onta't your (entors on#y %hen you need he#: they %i## :ro!a!#y 8ee# used& Instead, 'onta't the( e<ery 8e% (onths Bust to #et the( kno% ho% things are going, and es:e'ia##y to share any re#e<ant good ne%s& 3K7 $e'i:ro'ateF "entoring shou#d !e a t%o9%ay street& E<en (entors %ho are <ery su''ess8u# a::re'iate , and e>:e't , return <a#ue& So(eti(es, it 'an !e hard to see %hat you 'an use8u##y o88er a (ore9su''ess8u# (entor& 4ut e<ery (entor a::re'iates re'ei<ing use8u# arti'#es or other in8or(ation they (ight ha<e (issed, or an o88er o8 he#: %hen their o%n s'hedu#es get 'ro%ded And, 8ina##yT 367 "entorF Yes, Y+2 shou#d !e a (entor& First, !e'ause its good kar(a to gi<e !a'k, and, se'ond, !e'ause (entoring 8osters your o%n gro%th and su''ess& 3No% you kno% %hy so (any su''ess8u# :eo:#e do itF7 "entoring 8reshens your out#ook, shar:ens your strengths and ski##s, and e>:oses you to ne% :eo:#e and <ie%:oints& So get out there and 8ind a Bunior 'o##eague, student, or so(eone e#se to (entor& Think you dont kno% enough to !e a (entorU Think again: I<e ne<er (et anyone %ho didnt ha<e <a#ua!#e %isdo( or e>:erien'e to i(:art&
So, go 8orth and !e (entored , and (entorF "entoring is a :re'ious re#ationshi:, and a (ar<e#ous#y 'o(:assionate and :rodu'ti<e (indset, so #ets a## %ork together to !ui#d a %or#d %here %ere a## (entoring ea'h other to #earn, gro% and !e ha::y& APPENJIG III& So#<ing Pro!#e(s <ersus Jithering !y Hi##ary $ettig ada:ted 8ro( The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way !y Hi##ary $ettig& Lantern 4ooks, 5006& %%%&#i8e#onga'ti<ist&'o( So#<ing a :ro!#e( (eans taking s:e'i8i' a'tions su'h as o!ser<ing its sy(:to(s or (ani8estations; :re'ise#y de8ining it; resear'hing it and its :ossi!#e so#utions; de<e#o:ing a strategy 8or so#<ing it; testing the strategy; i(:#e(enting the strategy i8 it tests %e##; and e<a#uating su''ess or 8ai#ure& Jithering in'#udes a## the other things you do a!out your :ro!#e(s, in'#uding %orrying, 8ee#ing gui#ty, !eating yourse#8 u:, 'o(:#aining to 8a(i#y and 8riends, and 8ee#ing sorry 8or yourse#8& Jithering is :erni'ious& It gi<es you the i##usion that you are so#<ing your :ro!#e(, so that you dont ha<e to 8ee# gui#ty 8or ignoring it& It a#so gi<es you the i##usion that you are (aking :rogress, so that you dont ha<e to 8ee# #ike you<e gi<en u: ho:e& 4ut dithering doesnt rea##y so#<e your :ro!#e(& VVVThe ha##(ark o8 dithering is that, no (atter ho% #ong or serious#y you do it, the :ro!#e( ne<er gets so#<ed&VVV Sad#y, this is true e<en in 'ases %here a :erson dithers 8or de'ades, or his or her %ho#e #i8e& Ho% do you kno% %hen youre dithering <ersus so#<ingU Easy: i8 you<e !een %orking to so#<e your :ro!#e(, !ut (aking no :rogress, youre :ro!a!#y dithering& E<en the toughest :ro!#e( is so#<a!#e, at #east to so(e degree _ and it o8ten takes on#y a s(a## a(ount o8 a'tua# so#<ing to (ake noti'ea!#e :rogress& I8, there8ore, you are (aking no :rogress then you are a#(ost 'ertain#y dithering& Another di88eren'e !et%een dithering and so#<ing is that dithering tends to 8o'us on the :ro!#e(, %hi#e so#<ing 8o'uses on the so#ution& That isnt an a!so#ute ru#e, !e'ause :art o8 %hat you do to so#<e a :ro!#e( is 'hara'teriCe and ana#yCe it& 4ut i8 a## you are doing is thinking a!out the :ro!#e( and ho% (isera!#e its (aking you, and youre not de<oting any ti(e to designing and i(:#e(enting a so#ution, then you are dithering& Another di88eren'e is that dithering tends to o''ur in iso#ation& You do it yourse#8, in the :ri<a'y o8 your o%n roo(, or at #east in the :ri<a'y o8 your o%n thoughts& When you 'on8ide in 8riends and others, you use those 'on<ersations (ore to <ent, or to see your o%n ideas and e(otions e'hoed !a'k at you, than to o!ser<e, de8ine, et'& "ay!e you dont e<en #isten <ery '#ose#y to %hat the other :eo:#e are saying, or ignore their ad<i'e& So#<ing, on the other hand, usua##y in<o#<es other :eo:#e _ and not Bust your 8riends, !ut :ro8essiona#s su'h as a do'tor, thera:ist, s:iritua# ad<isor, t%e#<e9ste: s:onsor, tea'her or (entor& And, o8ten, (ore than one o8 those& And instead o8 using these :eo:#e as an e'ho9 'ha(!er to re8#e't your o%n thoughts and 8ee#ings !a'k at you, you #isten '#ose#y to %hat they are saying and do your !est to 8o##o% their ad<i'e&
4e'ause (any Bo! seekers tend to !e asha(ed and inse'ure, they ha<e a natura# in'#ination to%ard iso#ation& 4ut (ost o8 #i8es toughest :ro!#e(s, in'#uding Bo! sear'hes, are !est so#<ed %ithin a strong 'o((unity& "u'h o8 the %ork you need to do to 8ind a Bo! a(ounts to !ui#ding that 'o((unity, <ia net%orking, ne%s#etters, <o#unteering and other (ethods& Jithering is a 8or( o8 :ro'rastination, a'tua##y& Pro'rastination is a !eha<ior o8ten grounded in 8ear , o8 reBe'tion, 8ai#ure, su''ess or 'hange& The :ur:ose o8 :ro'rastination is to N+T (ake :rogress , i&e&, to not ad<an'e to%ard the 'hange that s'ares us , and it o8ten %orks s:e'ta'u#ar#y %e##& An artist %ho is terri8ied o8 !eing reBe'ted !y ga##eries or 'riti's need on#y :ro'rastinate #ike (ad and ne<er 8inish a :ainting to a<oid 8a'ing that :ossi!i#ity& Jont get (e %rong: :ro'rastination 8ee#s a%8u#& 4ut 8or :ro'rastinators, the :ain o8 not 8inishing ones %ork is usua##y the #esser o8 t%o e<i#s& "any :eo:#e :ro'rastinate on their Bo! sear'h& So(eti(es they Bust do uni(:ortant ?!usy@ %ork a## day instead o8 net%orking and other i(:ortant %ork , one o8 :ro'rastinations (ain ta'ti's !eing to (i(i' :rodu'ti<e %ork , and so(eti(es they Bust gi<e u: and %e! sur8 or :utter around the house a## day& And (any o8 the( 8ee# a huge a(ount o8 gui#t a!out their :ro'rastination& The rea#ity, ho%e<er, is that #ooking 8or %ork is one o8 the %orst e>:erien'es (any o8 us %i## e<er 8a'e , its se<era# un:#easant e>:erien'es ro##ed into one, rea##y& I dont !#a(e anyone 8or %anting to :ro'rastinate on it& 4ut :ro'rastination, %hi#e an understanda!#e res:onse, is not an o:ti(a# one, !e'ause it o8ten #eads to (ore :ain and regret in the #ong run& ust as the artist %i## :ro!a!#y e<entua##y regret the 8a't that she ne<er ga<e her :ainting a rea# shot, i8 you :ro'rastinate.dither a #ot on your Bo! sear'h, you %i## :ro!a!#y regret it, too& So, :#ease: see a thera:ist or use other te'hniAues to dea# 8orthright#y %ith your 8ears so that you 'an !e the (ost e88e'ti<e and HIAPy Bo! sear'her you 'an !e, and get e(:#oyed again as soon as :ossi!#e& VVVENJ +F E4++NVVV

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