The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in general, it offers useful life lessons that we can take with us . . . if we only look below the surface. As I watched the game, I saw a number of things. How many did you see?
1. Winning is a team effort. The teams that make it to the game don't get there by accident. There are teams of planners and leaders who are constantly evaluating player performance and performing competitive analysis of the team and its capabilities with others. Scouts are looking to improve it. A GM looks at the draft and player cost to see where he can improve. Trainers and doctors are reviewing medicals. And then the coaches start getting involved.
You need to look at your own career in the same way in advance of when you need to make a job change. What is the market like for what you do? Do you excel, are you ordinary or below average? What can I do to upgrade my skills before management starts looking for lower cost alternatives? What is my real value (and understand that is a changing figure both up AND down)?
2. It is important to network to develop close and effective relationships with other professionals in your field. When management starts looking to hire new players, they are working with player agents who they often know from other negotiations. Doesn't that make the process smoother for everyone?
3. Attack your search like your life depends on it. Teams often come out attacking their opponent on both offense and defense. You need to attack your search with ferocity and not casually.
4. If your plan isn't working, make adjustments. Both teams enter the locker room with concrete feedback about their plan and how it's working or not working. If your plan isn't working as well as you like, change it using the feedback you're getting, just like the pros do. Analyze what is working and what isn't and adapt.
5. Keep a level head about you. It's one thing to play with a lot of emotion on the field, but it's hard to sustain for 60 minutes. Both the Eagles and Patriots came out with aggressive blitzes early in the game and attacking offenses before settling into a rhythm. In job searching, you may start off the search with a lot of fervor, but you need to remember that a search can take a long while. You need to manage your emotions for a 60 minute game and not just the first quarter.
6. Try not to be predictable. A football team that runs the same plays in the same sequence or under the same circumstances becomes predictable and other teams learn what they will do and will out perform them
7. Big mistakes can be critical. It's one thing to be defeated on a play or a series. It's another to make a bad call and be left exposed to a big play at a critical time like the Patriots did letting the Eagles back in the game with a 30 yard touchdown late in the game. When you get to the end of the search, it is best to have an agent negotiate for you, rather than leave you exposed to your own emotional whipsawing; if you aren't being represented by one, try to get input from trusted advisors with real knowledge (not your uncle who knows nothing about your industry but has good intentions).
8. Planning starts as soon as the game is over. As soon as the teams walked off the field, I can assure you that both will be planning for change for the next season and will take steps to rectify perceived weaknesses. What that means for you is that you continue your career development, training and networking even when you've just started a job. After all, the time when you have the most leverage in a negotiation is when you don't need a new job.
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman - Concepts in Staffing
Jeff Altman has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is also co-founder of Your Next Job, a networking group focused on assisting technology professionals with their job search, a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist. For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you're looking for a new position, include your resume).
Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More
You've looked at all the job interview tips and techniques.... Read More
You've taken the police officer selection test or law enforcement... Read More
Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More
Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is... Read More
At this moment in time, the increase in cross border... Read More
Are you harboring bitterness or anger towards your current or... Read More
How many times have you been asked, "What is your... Read More
One of the biggest mistake for job seeks is to... Read More
You are one of the fortunate few who have not... Read More
At the end of the third job interview, Helene was... Read More
According to an annual survey conducted by the National Association... Read More
Yesterday I was having a discussion with Mary who I... Read More
The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More
Unexpectedly loosing your job can be a very traumatic and... Read More
There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More
Today, it isn't that uncommon for some children and teenagers... Read More
Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More
Thinking of a career as a proofreader? Then you will... Read More
First of all, to fully understand and appreciate the answer,... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
Of course, mistakes are important. Two facts put those you... Read More
I'm the type of person that considers a healthy, enjoyable... Read More
Practicing Altruism The 'Golden Rule' occurred in the Greek and... Read More
I generally shy away from using the word "networking" when... Read More
Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor.... Read More
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More
The Painful ApproachFor many years, "performance management" was of an... Read More
During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More
You can learn a lot about how to do something... Read More
1. Develop excellent work habits ? for example, meet deadlines... Read More
I have to admit that I'm starting to slow down... Read More
For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More
Resume Writing doesn't have to be a solo gigResume writing... Read More
As you know too well ~ many jobs have been... Read More
In the current climate, many people are looking away from... Read More
Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More
In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More
Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel... Read More
Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries... Read More
In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More
Today we hear much talk of the 'global village'. People... Read More
There is an end to the job search tunnel!It has... Read More
Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More
Inherent within the human spirit is a desire for fulfillment,... Read More
Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More
If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More
Careers dictate resume formatDifferent careers use different forms of resumes.... Read More
Your resume needs to outline your skills and experience, as... Read More
Successful career change is based on first making an honest... Read More
Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More
Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More
In today's unpredictable economy, the idea of job security with... Read More
Some interview questions are asked so frequently that they've become... Read More
As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More
Your cover letter is critical to your success. It sets... Read More
Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More
1. You dread getting out of bed and going to... Read More
Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values,... Read More
I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More
The Internet is the most powerful employment tool on earth.... Read More
If you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances, you... Read More
If you're looking for a way to earn a living... Read More
Job loss affects most of us like any other loss... Read More
Job security is an out dated concept. The idea is... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |