Advice Is Circumstantial
The other day I was listening to a program on networking strategies for job seekers. Some things were mentioned that gave me the squirms. Not because I disagreed with the message those giving the advice were attempting to convey, but because I’m well aware many people on the receiving end of advice take it as an absolute, as true in all situations. It’s rarely that simple. How right a particular bit of advice is for a situation depends on the circumstances. Most times the giver of advice has an image in their mind they are speaking to where what they are recommending makes perfect sense. What we as experts fail to do is make sure those on the receiving end of what we say fully understand the why’s behind the advice so they know when and how it applies to them.
Back to the networking program, one of the topics that came up was networking with other job seekers. The advice given was that those on the hunt for employment need to network in places where there aren’t other job seekers. I agree that needs to be part of the strategy. Being able to rub elbows with decision makers without having swarms of job seekers around allows you to stand out and reduces the competition for that person’s connections and opportunities. Anyone taking that advice, as it appeared some did through their comments, to mean other job seekers are to be avoided or aren’t good networking partners is off the mark.
I’m sure those giving the advice are well aware of the wealth of information that can be gained from fellow job seekers when those interactions are handled strategically. The point was to encourage people to increase their odds of being noticed and to shake them out of the belief participating in support groups for job seekers, where people simply share their heartache and frustrations week after week, is enough to get the job done in a search. That serves a purpose, but it usually doesn’t translate to job offers. Nor does lining up with the masses to meet with a decision maker at a job fair.
There is nothing inherently wrong with networking with job seekers, however. It’s all about the balance and strategy with doing so. Recruiters love to network with those looking for work because they are in the loop of which companies are hiring. Contrary to a casual mention in the discussion I followed, recruiters don’t just network with you so they can find out where you’ve applied and go after the same job. Make no mistake that happens and fellow job seekers may do the same thing. Think bigger picture though. Many job seekers become aware of several jobs in a weeks time. Add up the number of openings they know about over the course of weeks and months. Consider they are also out networking and picking up new contacts regularly who may benefit others. Perhaps they belong to professional associations that broadcast a variety of openings to their membership. There is a lot of intelligence there to be shared. With a conscious effort to truly network, job seekers can do quite well working with one another.
My intent isn’t to sell you on networking with other job seekers. I could go on for miles about that concept. I simply want to challenge you to dig into the advice you receive and ask yourself three things. What advantage is the giver attempting to create for you? What are they hoping to save you from? What is their point of reference? If you can identify the answers to these questions, you can decide how to make the advice work in your situation. It’s rarely the bit we tend to take as an absolute that helps us, but the logic behind what created the recommendation. Tap into that logic and put it to work in your effort to make good strategic decisions.
I’ll close with an example of advice frequently taken as an absolute many here can relate to. Remember “resumes shouldn’t be more than one page?” The logic behind the advice is sound. Job seekers should streamline their resumes so they are targeted with relevant information that makes an adequate case an interview is warranted. Many resumes flow to two pages or more because they are crammed full of irrelevant blah, blah, blah. What happened with that advice is logic went out the window. I’ve met many candidates with one page resumes who simply didn’t have enough of their relevant experience, affiliations and credentials on the page to get the interview. What’s worse is several knew their resumes were too light, but they were afraid going over one page was a greater sin than not having enough information. Tragic.
Most assuredly, Lisa, there are few absolutes (or even rules) managing one’s career. Different strategies work for some, not for others. Those at the senior level conduct a job search campaign that may look very different from that of, say, an administrative assistant.
What I find is that it is easier for job seekers to commiserate, I mean network, with other job seekers. It’s more comfortable, it’s easier on the ego, you can solicit lots of sympathy or empathy, and then leave feeling better about your situation. It is much more challenging to force yourself to network with decision makers. First of all, unemployed job seekers don’t have a job title so they flounder with the inevitable “what do you do” question. One punch to the gut, and networking only with other unemployed job seekers becomes a refuge. It’s the “only” that gets them in trouble.
100% agree with everything you wrote. That is indeed what the process can be like when people lose sight of the goal. With awareness and a concerted effort, purposeful networking with other job seekers as ‘part’ of a job search strategy could offer a safer place to practice selling oneself, build intelligence about opportunities in the area and learn what other job seekers are actually doing that works. There is no doubt those who use their time with other unemployed individuals primarily to swap stories of hardship and to hide from decision makers will fall short. It may serve a purpose, but the purpose is not job lead generation.
It comes down to balance and constantly taking stock of what is gained from a process. I’ve met those who have networked exclusively with decision makers and struggled because they were out of the loop on new methods job seekers were using to promote themselves and find leads. I’ve met those who have networked exclusively with fellow job seekers in environments that were more about providing support than exchanging leads.
I’m biased on the networking with job seekers bit because I run several networking groups for the unemployed. We exchange a ton of leads. We’ve seen several of our members move into jobs as a result. It wasn’t by accident though. And it didn’t happen because we got together for coffee and swapped excuses. Group members have their eye on the prize constantly. Time is used wisely and there is a clear push to build confidence and get members out in front of decision makers. It’s worked very well for us.
Find the general idea behind specific advice, then figure out a way to apply it that suits you.
That’s the message isn’t it? But I found the presentation too wordy.
For instance:
“Being able to rub elbows with decision makers without having swarms of job seekers around allows you to stand out” — that wd have been enough – instead you added – “and reduces the competition for that person’s connections and opportunities”.
Again:
“The other day I was listening to a program on networking strategies for job seekers. Some things were mentioned that gave me the squirms. Not because I disagreed with the message those giving the advice were attempting to convey, but because I’m well aware” <– unnecessary. this background info isn't relevant or interesting.
Alt ver:
"Many people take advice at face value. Then they reject it because it doesn't suit them or they accept it — even when it doesn't suit them.
In fact, there's a secret to taking advice. First, figure out the general idea behind any specific recommendation. Then find a way to apply it that suits you.
Then: Examples.
FEEL FREE TO DELETE THIS COMMENT
Thanks, Animal. Your feedback is great. I don’t mind it at all and I like reading the feedback you give others at well. You’re a natural at cutting through the fat and pointing out cliches. I’m not going to delete it because I think many of us struggle with overpopulating messages. Glad you got the commenting function to work.
Animal, I’m just curious as to why your comments were so long since you appear to be so critical of conciseness and brevity? Afterall couldn’t the blog simply have been written, “To find a job, do what works best for you. The end.”
There, that about sums up everything also, does it not? In fact, why should Lisa write any more blogs when we have the all-encompasing “secret”!?
This isn’t English comp 101, you’re not the teacher and if you don’t like the blogs why not take your intelligent self elsewhere? Your criticism is rude and adds no value. Every reader could paraphrase Lisa’s blog into their own style, so what?
It is Lisa’s unique writing style that touches and attracts the readers of her blog. I found your “improvements” to Lisa’s blog to lack warmth and personality. That kind of fodder that is commonly found.
Lisa, please do not change your style of writing as I find your blogs unique, thought-provoking and entertaining. For you to say that Animal’s feedback is great makes me wonder what weight of merit you find in his words.(Hopefully nil).
FEEL FREE TO DELETE THIS COMMENT
Animal Activist, thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you like my blog. My blogs will never be sterile of personality. At least I hope not. I like telling stories as much as possible. I do agree I beat some things to death at times though. It’s usually on the blogs where I have a message I want to convey, but I’m distracted with other things and trying to get it finished so I can put it out. I meant it when I said Animal is good at trimming fat off of things. His feedback gives me something to chew on. I am happy to know you were okay with the way it was originally written.