Why Job Search is Hard

Adaptation occurs in nature when the outcome of something is predictable. For example, take plants of the savannah areas of Northern Australia, where the main source of water is deep underground. The eucalyptus trees and hardy grasses synonymous with these regions adapt because of the predictable nature of the environment where the water table exists in perpetuity. With long tap roots, this predictability allows plant life to survive in the savannah, providing food and shade to its fauna.

But adapting to a job search, that is, becoming comfortable with it, is almost impossible because the process is unpredictable. A typical job search involves waking up in the morning to a phone call asking you to come in for an interview only to receive a rejection email that same afternoon. Adaptation is difficult as we never know what the outcome of our next activity will be. Will that next phone call land an interview? Will the next coffee meeting uncover your dream job? Will the next job from seek.com be a tedious one with selection criteria?

The uncertainty of not knowing what will happen makes it impossible to ever be fully comfortable with the process. It’s not that finding a job is impossible (yes, yours is out there), it's just that the “finding” part isn't always easy.

Magnetic Relationships

Dr Miguel Lopes, a Portugese academic, has developed the concept of 'magnetic relationships'. His research focused on how entrepreneurs attract resources for new ventures, in particular the way in which the individual entrepreneur sells ideas and builds networks.

Successful entrepreneurs sell ideas through a mix of an engaging and persuasive style and the pure force of their personality.

Building a network involves two key strategies. The first is to develop 'legitimacy', in other words, building trust and authentic relationships with people. People who act in line with their values automatically attract other people.

The second is positioning oneself in the market. This involves three strategies:

1. Broaden the scope of the relationship with people with whom resources are exchanged. This allows a broader range of options should a particular type of resource be required in the future, whether it be physical or information.
2. Increase strong ties with important resource providers. Such people could be staff members, colleagues, suppliers etc. The aim here is to develop the relationship with a person that is based on more than just one topic or transaction.
3. Increase weak ties to as many people as possible. This is the traditional definition of networking. Meet as many people as you can. Such meetings generate opportunities through 'chance' encounters.

The concept of 'magnetic relationships' has immediate applicability to careers. We all know the importance of networking, but for most of us it is a difficult thing to do. The power of 'magnetic relationships' is that people will be attracted to you, making your networking easier. However, you still have to maintain your magnetism using the three strategies above:

1. Keep regularly in touch with those who you deal with. Try and meet other people around those you already deal with
2. Setup a system to stay in touch with those people that are important to you. They may play a number of different roles (eg mentor, information provider, networker etc) but the key is to remain visible.
3. Keep up the traditional networking. Yes, its hard work but its importance to your career cannot be overestimated. Make a goal to attend 1 networking function each month.

Remember that even magnets need to be re-magnetised, so keep at it!

What will motivate you: money or development?

A recent survey reported in the Financial Review again found that people are more interested in long-term career development than remuneration. In fact, with the economic woes, career development is even more important than a year ago. 45% of employees left their employer because of a lack of career development.

Interestingly, nearly half of the 3000 employees surveyed said they were seeking a new job.

This hints that people are resigned to their current situation but will move if a better opportunity comes along. I wonder though, how many people are being proactive about seeking opportunities? Are they just looking outside their organisation? Do they see the opportunities within their current workplace that are created during times of change?

Remember that 'career development' is your responsibility. Don't just rely on your organisation to come forward with opportunities - they may well be overly occupied just keeping the ship afloat. Be proactive, explore, have conversations. Something interesting might just turn up....