Thursday, September 18, 2003
When I was recently part of an ever-popular restructuring plague decimating the job market these days, I tried to look at in a positive light. I wasn’t particularly happy with my job situation at the time and had already begun the process of seeking another job. I figured this was not only an opportunity to get away from the rat-race and office politics but also a chance to find something I truly enjoyed doing. From my initial foray into the market, I knew right away I was going to be up for a serious challenge and competition with the myriad of other job seekers in the open market. What I didn’t realize was that finding the proper job, let alone getting someone to interview would be easier than finding my wife.
I began seeing a career counselor, which my former employer was nice enough to provide, shortly after being laid-off this August. He began to school me in the finer nuances of how to conduct a proper job search; the most important key being networking. I don’t know about you, but the idea of networking just feels a little seedy, especially the informational interview. I understand how valuable it can be to speak with someone in an industry you aspire to work. However, the notion of contacting someone under the guise of seeking information for your career search amuses me. Obviously I want job and they know it. It’s really nothing more than a big game.
Networking groups and meetings are even more amusing to me. It’s really kind of like dating when you think about it; trying to establish connections in a roomful of strangers with the hope of landing a date that could potentially lead to a long-term commitment. Except in this case, we’re talking jobs, not sex. But it still takes the right amount of schmoozing, charm, BS and bravado right? The same holds true for want ads.
Want ads are akin to responding to personal ads. You have to have to tread that fine line of honesty while trying to separate yourself from the rest of the masses. “Single marketing professional with a flare for the creative and savvy communication skills seeks like-mined advertising agency who enjoys casual dress, humor and the occasional happy hour romp.” You send in you resume and let the games begin as you agonize over when to call to seem interested without coming on too strong.
If you are lucky enough to get a date, the fun really begins. You need to figure out what to wear, analyze your past interviews and do your research in hopes of presenting yourself in the right light. Then there is the thank you note and hours spent analyzing the interview and stewing over where you thought you went wrong. And the worry, oh the worry really digs in. “Will I ever find the right job and settle down or will I be reduced to a life of jumping from one career to the next?” Yup, job hunting is just like dating, fortunately I’m married.
I began seeing a career counselor, which my former employer was nice enough to provide, shortly after being laid-off this August. He began to school me in the finer nuances of how to conduct a proper job search; the most important key being networking. I don’t know about you, but the idea of networking just feels a little seedy, especially the informational interview. I understand how valuable it can be to speak with someone in an industry you aspire to work. However, the notion of contacting someone under the guise of seeking information for your career search amuses me. Obviously I want job and they know it. It’s really nothing more than a big game.
Networking groups and meetings are even more amusing to me. It’s really kind of like dating when you think about it; trying to establish connections in a roomful of strangers with the hope of landing a date that could potentially lead to a long-term commitment. Except in this case, we’re talking jobs, not sex. But it still takes the right amount of schmoozing, charm, BS and bravado right? The same holds true for want ads.
Want ads are akin to responding to personal ads. You have to have to tread that fine line of honesty while trying to separate yourself from the rest of the masses. “Single marketing professional with a flare for the creative and savvy communication skills seeks like-mined advertising agency who enjoys casual dress, humor and the occasional happy hour romp.” You send in you resume and let the games begin as you agonize over when to call to seem interested without coming on too strong.
If you are lucky enough to get a date, the fun really begins. You need to figure out what to wear, analyze your past interviews and do your research in hopes of presenting yourself in the right light. Then there is the thank you note and hours spent analyzing the interview and stewing over where you thought you went wrong. And the worry, oh the worry really digs in. “Will I ever find the right job and settle down or will I be reduced to a life of jumping from one career to the next?” Yup, job hunting is just like dating, fortunately I’m married.
