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On The Job Hunt? What’s Your Angle?
A couple of weeks ago I re-learned something about life that makes for a good living analogy in job search.
It happened one afternoon as I was doing an errand at a local business offce here in Mission Viejo. It started innocently enough.
I get out of the car and circle the back end of the Jeep to head up the parking lot toward a main door. Once in view of the rest of the parking lot, I notice another person apparently heading to the same building entrance. And he’s walking about my same speed.
Wanting to avoid an awkward meeting at the door, I begin to pick up the pace. And, once there, I can choose whether my speed was enough to get in quickly or whether it would be easier to wait a few moments to hold the door. Does this sound anti-social? I guess it does. But it is a part of our culture so I try to have fun with it.
Am I the only one who thinks about this stuff?
Of course, the other option was to slow down and let him get there frst. There, now he has the moral dilemma! But I decided I wanted to beat him there. I was in a bit of a hurry having a few more errands to run that afternoon.
Well, as I picked up the pace, I noticed that it wasn’t helping. Despite a spring in my step, it appeared that all was lost. We shared a few respectful glances as we got closer and I, in respect for his apparent victory, slowed my pace and let him reach the door with a healthy gap between his and my arrival.
And, you know what? He didn’t hold the door and he didn’t say hello.
So what did I learn here?
He had a better angle.
And, as a result, required less effort to achieve his desired result.
And there are a lot of other examples in life where a better angle or a better approach wins the day. Tink about a defensive back in football trying to run down a wide receiver streaking down the sideline. Or a center felder in baseball running to catch up to a screaming line drive in the gap.
In the end, a better angle beats extra effort if all things are equal. And in job search, there are many equalizing factors. So it makes sense that the right angle helps when on the job hunt.
Since the origins and many of the tools created for Tim’s Strategy are focused on smart, effcient activity, your angle in job search seems to be a highly relevant and practical discussion.
But, what are some examples of a better angle or advantage?
1. Your Job Search Strategy
A few weeks ago I asked the question: Are You The Tortoise Or The Hare? If you read this post, ask the question and answer it honestly, you will have a sense of the angle(s) you have used up to this point. Have you been smart or just aggressive? Your speed may have beat the other guy to the door but were you prepared to succeed upon arrival at the hiring offce?
2. Productive Networking
But, perhaps the best example is networking. Say, for example that a new job just popped up on the radar screen. A great ft with your job objectives? Great! Now, how many others in this market have the same idea? Now you and a few hundred others have sent highly polished cover letters and resumes to the hiring manager. A few have sent theirs via Fed Ex hoping to capture the eye of an HR manager. One person even tried a personal note to the CEO to see if the highest exec might be so compelled to make mention of you to the hiring manager.
What’s your angle? And is it the best, most effective one? Does it include the use of your network or the network of those connected with you on Linkedin? Do you think that a referral to the hiring manager from a respected third party beats a FedEx or a CEO letter? Of course it does. Like a full house over two pair…
A word of warning, though. Don’t tap your network hard for a job in which you are not qualifed. Once a good hiring manager sees a lack of fit, your resume will find the trash can and your network will hear that their effort was wasted. Not good.
Now, of course, we’re talking about getting a phone or frst round interview. Your ability to succeed in that frst interaction relies upon a different angle.
3. Vetting and Preparation
Once noticed and guided into an interview position through a smart initial approach, your job is to now make a connection with the company and show them how you, uniquely, are the right person for the job. One of the ways to do that is through vetting and researching the company and its people. And through this process and the frst interview, you may find out that you don’t want to work for this company. And that is not a bad thing to learn!
Vetting is a process designed to learn about and potentially weed out certain aspects of an opportunity. Also your overall preparation is key in being in a position to succeed as a candidate. If you haven’t already seen it, check out my Sip™ tool. It is a free download from the Tim’s Strategy website.
Of course there are many other examples of smart and effcient efforts in job search. You can check the archives at Tim’s Strategy for other articles. I hope a number of them give you a few new ideas to help you arrive at a new job with confdence and style.
So, do yourself a favor. Be smart, have a strategy and identify the angles that will help you work productively. Leaving time during job search to pursue a few passions and spend high quality time with your family.
And if you see someone else racing toward the door… smile, wave and enjoy the walk. On the days when you get there frst, hold open the door. You may make a new contact.