No matter if you are changing industries, changing-up your position, wishing to relocate or just looking to work for a better company, there is one thing you must have to be successful. It’s a thing that is rarely talked about in direct terms by job seekers, recruiters, resume writers or career coaches. Sure, you can muddle through some job search techniques and develop some marketing collateral to get you pointed in the right direction but without this thing, your success will surely be limited.
So, what is this thing? It is called VIRTUE. The thread that weaves throughout your every job search technique and interview strategy is truly virtue. And by focusing on developing and increasing your virtue, you stand to improve every facet of our job search.
So what kinds of virtue to you need to be a highly successful job seeker? Virtually every kind. They can include temperance, fortitude, kindness, patience, graciousness, politeness, truthfulness, courage, excellence, high morals, high ethics, servitude, honesty, tactfulness, discipline, fairness, flexibility, commitment, diligence, integrity, honor and my favorite: humility.
A word about humility. Its seems we rarely hear the word humble anymore, especially as it relates to success or successful people. Perhaps that is because in western society humility is erroneously connected with weakness. However the opposite is true. It takes a strong, gracious and grounded individual to express true humility. And humility is one of those beautiful gifts that cannot be hidden. It comes through in a persons tone, their voice, and their mannerisms. It is a prize and treasure to possess humility. Even just a little.
A truly humble person stands to greatly impress a key decision maker when introducing him or herself over the phone. A humble person often makes a tremendous positive impression in an interview, for example. And it is often the humble individual who earns the respect of their team or rises up through the ranks to become a cherished and respected corporate leader.
There is a story about a corporate executive who was trying to switch industries and obtain a position in academia. When a key university contacted him about a job, they indicated they needed to see his college transcripts before they could submit his application. Instead of complying, this executive wrote a scathing email to the director of human resources complaining about the overemphasis on the legalities of applying. Needless to day this executive did not even secure an interview.
The daily successes and losses of a job search require diligence in achieving your career goals, patience as you move forward each day and kindness to those who agree to speak with you and help you. Each of us had virtues more developed than others. Which ones are yours? Once you have defined them you can LEAD with them in order to maximize your job search success.
