The ways of finding work are shifting

Every time I make the completing students (and graduates) aware that the trend of searching for work by way of sending CVs and hoping for luck are shifting, the reactions I get from them range between shock and indifference. Times are changing. The signs are there.

Finding work takes more than just academic qualification and appealing CV. Among other things, it takes dedication and investing in your trade. It requires robust research about the industries/ organisations/ markets which need your skills.

It takes mutual connections (not only who you know, but how you influence the decision-maker at the time of the pitch) to get ahead. Those of us who do not gear up for this often miss out. Sometimes we rely on chance to give us jobs. But how often does “chance” come around?

Most of us who have been struggling to find work for over 2 years of graduating – I work with many of them - have not taken steps beyond just sending CVs into a Black hole and hoping for luck. What is holding us back?

Fear
False expectations appearing real.

I am shy

Shy people are constantly evaluating themselves negatively.

Dream job

Only deliberate research about your profession/ trade will dispel the myth about “dream job.” You don’t land a dream job passively. Only by taking proactive action can we do a worthwhile job.

Right opportunity

What exactly is the right opportunity? Put yourself out there. Use your talent more. Do what comes naturally to you a lot more. Hone your skills. Meet your opportunity. Do what you can right where you are.

Seeking approval and validation

We live up to expectations of our lecturers, parents, siblings, friends, lovers, neighbours, employers, etc. Are you trying to please someone? How about seeking the God in you instead?

Fearing rejection

When we go out to give what we can offer; to tell somebody (manager, company, investor, audience) what we are good at, we must anticipate rejection. Learning to deal with rejection is one of the most important life practices available. The industrial age rewards us for avoiding rejection. No, we must pursue rejection, until we realise that all we get for our endeavours is feedback. When people give us the feedback we did not expect, we think they are rejecting us. No, they are giving us feedback. What you do with that feedback is crucial.

Eye on the bling

From the moment we measure the progress and success of others through the bling they have, we have missed the point. Once we ignore the trials and tribulations the people we look up to have experienced to be where they are, we become the slaves of ill-fitting dreams.

Our country has many challenges (economic, political, social and spiritual. These challenges have for a long time conspired against a young generation (the highest unemployment rate is with the youth). If you are young and Black, you are worse off.

The economic and social system appears to be denying us job opportunities, because it does not trust us. Trust is scarce, (real human) connection is scarce and so is the element of surprise. We are too compliant; we are too similar; we are too average. We are trying not to ruffle the feathers.

The commitment to bringing something new or different to the table, the commitment to standing out, and the faith of saying at the time of meeting decision-makers, ‘I can help you with this,’ ‘I can do this for you,’ will propel us to the level of playing our A-game.

Entrepreneurs emerge from this mindset. They are not accidental success stories. They did not start businesses as a fall-back alternative after failing to secure employment. They are authentic people. They have surrendered (not given up) to the life of serving, of giving something of themselves which others won’t give, or are too afraid, or lazy, to offer. They are providing something which is new, real and important in this era of connection economy. In the words of Seth Godin, ‘the connection economy rewards the leader, the initiator, and the rebel.’

If you don’t know what you are offering, and you are not willing to find out, wait your turn in the unfair and often dissipating promise of employment. But if you know what you are offering (as a leader, initiator and the rebel), step up. Why do you wait to be called in?

Oprah Winfrey used to call people to give them spotlight on her show. She is no longer there. YouTube has changed the game. Rebels meet their important audience without asking to be given a chance. The real chance is not the moment you have asked for, but the moment which you seize. So grab your chance. Knock on the doors. Find out what the people need. Can you satisfy the need?