During my current travels, I was struck by the contrast of these two different fish, as depicted on custom wall tiles.  The meaning of the noun, flounder, refers to the fish.  However, it is the verb meaning that gave me concern.  Two formal definitions are given, when I query Merriam-Webster.com:

1. to struggle to move or obtain footing : thrash about wildly
2. to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually

When I began my recent job search, I found that I sometimes acted clumsily and ineffectually, struggling to get proper footing.  It was only after I learned that the internet age had changed the rules, did I begin to make some headway.

Only after a realized the value of networking in the search, did I actually begin move ahead, and upward — much like the sailfish on the corresponding  tile.  In fact, the sailfish is much more active, and feisty!  It can be seen jumping out of the water, displaying its true splendor for all to see.

One can learn a lesson from the sailfish, and apply it to the art of informational interviewing — a more outgoing form of networking.  In an informational interview, the job seeker reaches out to key people from whom good things can be gained — insights about an industry or company, new skills or trends that should be explored, and most importantly, referrals.

But just as the sailfish, you must display your splendor, in the form of success stories.  Think of these as those events in your past jobs that you’re most proud of, and those which you’d like to show to others when you have the opportunity to “leap out of the water”, and stop floundering.

Consider your most impacting success story that, when shared with others, your eyes would widen and your face would light up.  Now, try to think of three to six more of those that make you similarly proud.

How many stories were you able to muster?  Which one would you consider your most effective?

Editor’s note: KJ is currently in Florida with his family, but continues to blog for his LeggUpp readers.

In my personal job search just a few years ago, I approached it like a gatherer. That is, I spent many hours on the internet job boards, gathering up jobs which I thought I would be suitable for. Then, I prepared my cover letter, submitted my resume, and recorded another job submission that I’d hope to hear back from real soon. A similar approach would occur with headhunters, who would connect with me with promises of possible matches on job reqs which they had, or would have in the future. More possibilities were gathered in during those discussions.

Gathering was safe. I could tell myself, and those who were pulling for me, that I was making progress. Surely, one of the online submissions would amount to solid interest, an engaging interview, followed by real offer. But days, weeks, and months seemed to pass without actual success.  What was I doing wrong?

It wasn’t until I began to appreciate the value of hunting, did I begin to gain real traction.

Hunting begins with networking.  In our analogy, networking would equate to asking other (job) hunters where the game could be found. But it also involves storytelling, too. In earlier times, hunters would circle a campfire to relate success stories to their tribesmates.

When networking, and especially in an informational interview, you should come prepared with many an interesting story about successes during your career, as this helps to build interest and rapport. These success stories will show you to be the solid performer that you are, and thus make you more attractive to hiring companies.

Just like news about a nearby herd of bison, when you conduct a series of information interviews, word about your value and skills will spread, perhaps to someone who will approach you about a position instead. And, in a job search, isn’t it more advantageous to be the hunted, rather than the hunter?

Consider whom in your industry would be interesting to conduct an informational interview with. Reach out and request a 15-minute meeting. Arrive prepared to listen first, but to share some success stories, too.

Asking for informational interviews may seem difficult at first, but become easier after each successive one. Please be sure to use the comment section below to share your experiences with your fellow hunters.

When the game proves challenging, you’ll be glad that you sought out help — just like those in the picture above.

As the story goes, there were six of us in a small, single-wing Cessna plane with the passenger seats removed.  I volunteered to be the first to jump because I was afraid that if I saw the others go first, I might get “cold feet”.  So, when the instructor told me that it was time, I climbed out of the plane onto the step, and awaited the signal to leap backwards — the actual jump.

A funny thing happened just after I jumped, though.  My helmet came off and was now travelling earthward, without the benefit of its own parachute.

Two lessons from that day can also be applied to your job search:

1.    You can’t change the past, so make the best of it.

I was never going to get my helmet back, so I focused on the new experience of floating to earth.  Similarly, your past jobs are all behind you.   But, you can use the job search to focus on rediscovering many of the accomplishments achieved and skills learned, which you hadn’t had time to think about when you were in the thick of things.

2.    Storytelling is a great skill to develop.

And, once you’ve made a list of the accomplishments and skills mentioned above, you’ll want to present them in an interesting and engaging manner.  This is where storytelling techniques come in.  Practice recounting your stories with friends and family, asking for honest feedback on how to improve your presentation.  This is great practice in advance of a successful interview.

A job hunter should develop a file of at least twelve accomplishment stories, framed to be presented using a P-A-R approach.  (I’ll be sure to cover the use of  P-A-R, or the Problem – Action – Result method, in a future blogpost.)

Do you have at least twelve accomplishment stories written down, and committed to memory, in preparation for your next interview?  If not, you should start preparing them today.