How Strong Is Your “Job Search Ethic”?

If you are out of work, is it OK to have a swim? Can you play tennis and go to the gym? Isn’t that counter to the work ethic required to find a new job? After all, it’s a competitive world out there! In this post I will suggest a new term more appropriate to job search that requires similar effort but with an allowance for leisure time.

Before we define the term “Job Search Ethic”, here’s how dictionary.com defines the reference term:

work ethic
n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence.

So how does a “work ethic” compare to a “job search ethic”?
The answer is they contain a lot of similar attributes. For example, both include the defined aspects of hard work and diligence – that makes sense, right?

In my view, though, the “job search ethic” should include a number of important additions.

First, I’m going to add the words “intelligent” and “strategic” to the new definition. This suggests that your time is used in concert with a well-thought out plan.

Second, I’ll also add “efficient” since your choice of focus will either have you wasting time or put you in a position to be doing the right things with time left to take advantage of this break in your career.

Third, I’ll add “confident” and “pro-active”. This comes as a result of executing a solid plan and delivers results when recruiters and hiring managers see your strengths.

Last, I will delete the term “moral virtues” – not sure that helps too much . . .

So, what is the definition of “Job Search Ethic”?

Job Search Ethic

n. The use of a strategic plan to pro-actively and intelligently seek new employment through the use of efficiency, hard work and diligence resulting in a confident and successful search.

That’s my take, how would you define it?

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job title, keywords or company	city, state or zip jobs by