Broadening Your Horizons
I’d like to pick up where Bijan left off yesterday in his “Looking for a job? Be helpful” post. Bijan’s recommendations are spot on for anyone out there trying to land a job. But there are unfortunately more qualified people looking for jobs today than there are opportunities available.
So what to do if you can’t get the gig you want?
My first piece of advice is practical. Focus on the company more than the job. Try and find a job at a great company even if it is beneath your skill and experience level. And when you get there, as GaryVee would say, crush it! Your performance will stand for itself, and if it’s truly a great company you’ll be rewarded with more work and responsibility than you can handle.
My second and more important piece of advice is largely impractical and especially relevant for those that can’t get into the companies they want. Disappear. Go to Europe, Asia or Africa, somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, take a menial job to pay for room and board and just get out there. Learn about other parts of the world, other people and most importantly yourself. You may never have another opportunity to do so.
This is especially true for students with limited work experience just coming out of school. I took a year off in between high school and college and moved out to Israel. It is to this day one of the best things I have ever done. I learned more about myself that year than I ever have. I would encourage anyone who can to do the same. It’ll make you more well rounded, thoughtful and interesting.
Another thing worth thinking about is public service. There are some very unique opportunities to get involved today with the new administration and the herculean challenges ahead. I met some Harvard students traveling from Boston to NYC the other day and asked them what had changed in terms of career paths for graduating seniors given the current economic crisis. They almost in unison told me that more students were pursuing public service opportunities. This is fantastic. Our country needs bright, young, energetic folks to get involved. And this is a great opportunity for graduates to get their careers going, meet incredible people and give back.
Not having the gig you want is a great opportunity to do what you never thought you would. So get out there and seize the moment. It will reward you in spades in the long run.
