Hunting...For a Job:  Lessons Learned From the Field

© Dion McInnis 2010

There are a lot of similarities to job hunting and the type that many of our friends, family members and colleagues are accustomed to.  This guidance is written for those folks, and can hopefully be understood by non-hunters, too. 

When you decide to go hunting, you don’t simply walk onto someone’s property in hopes of it being okay and assuming there is SOMEthing to kill there.  Likewise, you don’t enter the unknown land with an armload of hand grenades, knowing that if you toss enough of them, something will die and hopefully it will be edible. 

You’re a successful hunter because you know locations, prey behaviors, use of blind or stalk and when each is appropriate, weapons, ammunition and clarity of purpose (food or trophy or both).  How can you use that in your job search?

Locations:  Where do you WANT a job?  Can you cite the reasons that you want to work there and why you are specially qualified to help them?  Be selective and know why you BELONG at that location/organization.  You’ll want to be able to describe that in your cover letter.  They want to know that you know enough about them to want to work there, to fit into their organizational culture and that your knowledge and style will help them be successful.  A lot of great, managed hunting venues do not advertise but build their clientele based on word of mouth.  The same can be said for great places to work.  Most jobs are not filled because of ads taken out in newspapers or job search sites.  People hire people, not résumés, so get seen in the world of where your desired employers are.

Prey behaviors:  You know about the animal you’re pursuing.  You know when and where it feeds, whether it freezes or runs when spooked, which way it moves relative to wind direction, and whether it tends to move in groups or solo.  What is the behavior of your potential employers?  Are they members of certain types of organizations?  Is there a chapter of that type of organization in your area?  If so, attend their luncheon meetings,  go by their offices, etc.  Get to know them.  People hire people; get to know people.  That doesn’t mean you have to become Mr. Sociable if that is not your style, but get face or voice time with people related to the organizations you want to work for.  Are there peak use times for the organizations?  Perhaps a call to them before the crush begins is a good time for them to address needs.  Or maybe “after season” when things are more calm.  The more you know about the businesses and their “behaviors,” the better you’ll be able to align your strategy and intense focus on the hunt…for a job.

Blind or stalk:  Once you know what sort of hunt you’re going to undertake, you have a better idea of whether you should use a blind or should stalk your prey,  right?  The location and prey behaviors lead your decision making regarding the right approach.  The same can be said for the job hunt.  Depending on the type of employer you are looking for and where they are located, you will select a blind or stalk approach.  Do you sit in one place and wait for the right target to come by?  That is akin to staying home and watching newspaper ads, websites and such.  With a blind, you set up in a location that you know naturally has your prey; likewise, if you search for a job that way, you want to watch the places that will have the jobs you’re looking for.  Careerbuilder would not likely have them, but specialized organizations might, for example.  The stalk method would send you to organizations, offices, and ranches—either in person, or via e-mail or phone—looking for opportunities.  That’s a good way to go.  In fact, try both blind and stalk methods with the insights and instincts of a hunter.

Weapons:  You likely never go hunting with one weapon.  Even if there is just one rifle or shotgun, you may also have a sidearm for protection or signaling hunting partners, and/or a knife for cleaning.  Success doesn’t come with just one tool.  In the job search, you need a variety of tools, too.  A business card is always handy because you want to have some “I.D” whenever you meet someone who may interested in you or could help.  Also, each cover letter will be different, applicable to the potential employer.  It will be the “weapon of choice,” personalizing your interest and setting the stage for them to be interested in you.  Your résumé merely substantiates your abilities and appropriateness for the job.  Last, but certainly not least, is the thank you letter.  If/when you get an interview, send a thank you note or letter immediately.

Ammunition:  How’s that .22 working for the hog hunt?  Or the 12-gauge with buckshot for squirrel?   When contacting potential employers, you have to match your ammo to the task at hand.  What caliber or gauge is equivalent to how long of a résumé and type of cover letter.  You don’t want to “blow them away” but you also don’t want to barely get their attention.  That’s why each is crafted specifically to the potential job and/or employer. 

Clarity of Purpose:  Before you choose your hunting sight or opt to pull the trigger, you know basically whether you are hunting for meat or trophy.  That guides a lot of your strategy.  You also know what constitutes a trophy.  When looking for a job, you’re doing the same thing except the measurement is basically salary and benefits.  The way you look, where you look and how you position yourself will be different for a “meat” job versus a “trophy” job.  There is no wrong answer, but you want to have in mind which you’re after before you start the process and during the negotiations when the time comes that you’re offered a job.

Any time you seek anything, the process must include knowledge, understanding, strategy and focus.  HUNTing for a job is no different.