“You want something, go get it. Period.” In speaking with his son in The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith offers some valuable advice for anyone working towards success in their careers. Whether you’re just starting out in the working world or are in need of a change, it’s important to take charge of your search rather than sit back and wait for an opportunity to come to you. Here are some ways that you can become a hunter rather than a hoper when it comes to landing your next position.
The Hunter always has their eyes peeled for the next opportunity; the Hoper waits for one to arise
The Hunter is someone who will utilize their network in addition to searching job boards on a daily basis, connecting with recruiters on Linkedin, and applying directly to companies they are interested in. On the flip side, the Hoper will post their resume on LinkedIn and other job boards and wait patiently for a recruiter to call. Although passive job seekers may not feel the need to go through all of these steps to land a new position, an active job seeker should be turning over every stone to find the best opportunities available.
The Hunter is proactive; the Hoper is reactive
A hunter packs their gear days in advance and wakes up early to set up their post for the day. In the working world, a Hunter is prepared with an updated resume, a well-constructed cover letter, and a flexible schedule to accommodate the busy schedules of their interviewers. On the flip side, a Hoper might just pass along a generic resume and cover letter to every recruiter they meet and is less inclined to take those 8 a.m. interview slots. Being unprepared for the next big catch can be the reason you miss out on your dream job, so get your supplies in order today to ensure a productive tomorrow.
The Hunter always follows through; the Hoper might not
Everyone knows how frustrating it is to apply for dozens of jobs, go on a few interviews, and never hear back with an offer or even receive feedback. In these cases, the Hunter is the person who will follow up with employers to check on their application, whereas a Hoper will sit back and wait for a response. If you are worried about whether or not your application has been reviewed or you haven’t received interview feedback within the time frame that your interviewer specified, take charge of the situation and reach out to the employer yourself- not only does this prove your interest in the position, but it allows you to focus your efforts elsewhere if you find out that the company isn’t interested in moving forward with you.
You tell me- are you on the hunt for your next big career move? Visit our website to learn about opportunities in all 10 of our offices nationwide!
