Jun
29

4 comments

Minding Your P’s And Q’s During Job Search

I had a couple of other titles for this post. Including: “50 Bumpy Minutes To Vegas”.

This one actually made sense as I am actually about 5 minutes into what is promised to be a very turbulent ride to sin city.

You see, it’s 108 degrees F in Vegas today. So, since the flight attendants are seat-belted in with chicken wire, I can start this post a bit early (they won’t know a thing).

I actually was going to write this post last week as I was spurred on by some fellow passengers on another flight. They were carrying bags that were not in their control and I picked up a few black eyes as a result.

If you can tell – maybe you can’t – I’m a pretty patient guy. Really. But what I struggle with is people who don’t have the common courtesies firmly grasped.
Because it is so easy to be considerate of others.

So the example I’ll share from last week (as a set-up) has to do with people loading the plane and taking out rows of other passengers with their carry-on luggage.
It’s true. On my last flight, I got on early. First mistake. I had an aisle seat near the front. Second mistake. I didn’t bring my catcher’s gear. Final mistake.

Anyway, I got:

- hit in the face with the corner of a purse

- jabbed in the shoulder with a briefcase

- shellacked by the sleeve of a leather jacket

Now, you may ask: “Was I leaning out in the aisle? Nope. Was I being rude and thereby deserving of a jolt? Me? Heavens no.
You may also say. Relax. Accidents happen. People always have too much to carry and often those items are bulky, right? But I don’t buy it. I was there and looked them straight in the eye.

They had no clue. None.

These people couldn’t see the forest OR the trees. And were blind to the havoc they were causing.

So after the third incident – which was thankfully the last – I just smiled. What else could I do? Oh, and I started looking around for hidden cameras.

In job search, these folks are not intentionally rude. They just don’t know the rules of the road. If you’ve ever played golf with someone who stepped on your line without so much as an embarrassed glance, you know the type.
And the problem is that the victims of this type of crime while networking won’t be smiling…

So how do you know if you are committing these acts of job search infidelity?

Pay attention to the people around you. Are they staring at you with an incredulous expression? If so, you may have just stepped in it.

If you get to a networking event and are not sure how to act, hang out for a bit and watch others. Or go up to a volunteer and ask: how does this work? A friendly person will help you by providing a walk through.

If you are not sure about networking protocol with a variety of new networking contacts, well, ask them! “Is it OK if I call you next week to set up a coffee?” or “Can I share your e-mail with a few others that could benefit from knowing you?”

My main point here is to be conscious of what you say and do when meeting new folks. Because these new folks will become your psychological safety net as you progress in your search. Or…they will run to the hills when they see you coming.

Your choice.

Oh, and please forgive any spelling errors.
This was a bumpy flight.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Comments

Suzy Ubry June 29, 2009 @ 9:47 pm

Hi Tim,
Thanks for another great post and for the reminder that it really is, as you stated, so easy to be considerate of others.
As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Therefore, in our job search efforts … and in all of life … it is critically important to be aware of what kind of first impression we are making!
And if that be true, why not endeavor to always make an impression that allows the other person to know that they are important and valued?
Tim Tyrell-Smith June 29, 2009 @ 10:09 pm

Suzy – OK, I’m starting too feel spoiled. Yes, first impressions matter. Thanks for reading and sharing!
William Zaborski July 1, 2009 @ 7:31 am

Hi Tim, Hope Vegas was fun.
I really appreciated this article. One of the most challenging things about the job search for me is the networking part. Everything you wrote makes perfect sense – I guess we all just need to be reminded of common courtesy now and again. From everything I have learned so far about networking and networking events, it is important to go into them with a polite and positive attitude and a willingness to offer yourself up to others – not just “what can you do for me?” but, “how can I help you?”. I have run into so many people who want to take and take and take (leads, contacts, recruiter names) but don’t offer anything in return. That kind of leaves a bad 1st impression and, as Suzy said, you get one chance to make a good 1st impression.
Tim Tyrell-Smith July 1, 2009 @ 7:53 am

Well said, Bill. I agree that networking is a challenge. It takes social confidence and an ability to let pride fall to your side. Being unselfish is a great mindset heading in to an event. Think: “people need me in there!”
Leaving Vegas today . . . hope the flight home is a little less bumpy!

Minding Your P’s And Q’s During Job Search

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