Choose the Right Lure

This past weekend, I had the privilege to talk with some up and coming members of the agricultural community. One thing we talked about was the image that we put out there, tends to be an invitation for what we get back. Let me clarify...

As an example, if you spend more time at church - you tend to spend more time with church friends and do church activities. If you put lots of facebook applications on your profile - you get bombarded with lots MORE facebook apps. When you're fishing, you tend to use little lures for little fish, and big lures for bigger fish. What we put out there, is what we invite back upon ourselves.

Searching for a job is not much different. Your lure? A resume most likely. But hopefully everyone knows by this time in their life that even the shiniest, most expensive lure, doesn't guarantee any fish. So, if you have been sending out dozens of resumes (or maybe just 1 or 2), expecting to land that next great job, I'm sorry, but you're sorely mistaken.

The best fisher-people know where the fish are biting, because they talk with other people that have heard where to go. There is an entire network of people in your local community that go fishing (or hunting) and they know where to go BECAUSE THEY TALK ABOUT IT. Those of you reading this will likely be looking for a new job some time soon, or already are. Please, please, please, don't trust your next step in life to a silly little piece of paper with a fancy French name like Resume. Who are you talking to?

Here are a few tips on how to improve your chances of getting noticed, or referred to your next employer:
1. Talk to your friends and mentors in the field you want to work in.
2. Be generous with people - when you see a job you know someone else would be interested in, pass it along. Think you know a connection that would help somebody out? Make the time to create that introduction.
3. Be GENEROUS with people. Give, give, give, and then give some more. Its like Christmas everday.
4. When you find a company you want to work for, figure out who knows somebody that works there. Call them to learn more - and ask questions about the company or position. Its likely that your inquiry will be heard of (especially in the ag industry).

Happy Networking