Reflection - being proactive
Two facts emerge from the findings above. Firstly, the methods that work are the active ones – where the jobseeker takes the initiative. Secondly, the approaches that are most effective are personal – where direct contact is involved.
Richard Bolles, in his book ‘What Color Is Your Pararchute?’ argues that there are a number of myths about the best ways of getting work. Most people rely on methods such as advertised vacancies or recruitment agencies. And recently the Internet has promised a way to make it all easier by providing access to a greater number of adverts and agencies than ever before.
Bolles' main point is that these methods are very passive – waiting for something suitable to turn up. Furthermore, all the evidence suggests that they are not very effective. Whenever research is carried out into how people actually get their jobs, these methods come well down the list.
The key in jobseeking, says Bolles, is being proactive – seeking out or even creating opportunities. It’s also an advantage if contact can be personal. Ultimately, you can’t be given a job by a system, you are given a job by a person.
Of course some types of work have very structured and formal recruitment methods, but even here the informal and personal is frequently important. Often those who have succeeded in these processes have put much effort into gathering information from prior (active) contacts.
Being active doesn’t mean completely giving up the other methods, but it does give more options and a greater chance of success. The most effective use a combination of methods and do not rely solely on adverts and agencies.