Since graduating college I've professionally worked at five organization (six if you count Salesforce, post-Tableau acquisition). Out of those five companies, I was referred or recruited by four of them. I.e. I didn't formally apply for the job I would eventually get. On the surface, that statement and my resume make it appear that I'm either very good at what I do (which I am) or very lucky (which I am too). However, this appearance doesn't represent of the pain, sweat and tears I've put into my career.
I've shared this quote before and will continue to because it's so meaningful and useful: If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. - Seneca the Elder
My first professional job was a direct result of me planning a networking event for the American Marketing Association collegiate chapter, while still in university. Although I opened the event to several companies, I especially targeted ones I wanted to work for. At the event, I made sure to talk to the professionals from those targeted companies . It was a gambit that paid off when one of the top agencies I was interested in emailed me a few weeks later, offering me an internship. This led to a full time role a few months later.
Most recently I was referred to a new role at Cisco by a former coworker at Heap. The referrer was a person who I had a few, positive experiences with, though wasn't actually on my team. What was so surprising and impressive is it had been almost 1.5 years and multiple companies in between since we had worked together.
Other than Tableau, everything in between that first experience and my latest have been through referral. All luck right? Not quite.
What my resume will never show are the challenging times where I was not happy in my position; or not working all. The KPIs I won't list on a CV are the hundreds of jobs I've applied for over the years, over 100 recruiter and hiring manager calls, dozens of team and panel interviews, and the 15 times I was the second place candidate--in a 12 month period. All that work for nothing, right?
Wrong.
Every application, interview, presentation and activity around applying was a step towards recognizing exactly what I wanted. Even in the worst situation, I was able to take something away, such as practice my small talk or thinking on my feet. Every action helped me avoid a Hell No and move closer to a Hell Yes. Or as Seneca would look at it: I knew which winds to follow and which ones to avoid.
So what is the point of this blog post, besides seeming as a humble brag (it's not)?
First, it's a reminder that what may appear to be luck or ease, may not be the case. It's easier to trumpet your 1% of victories than 99% defeats.
The second, which I didn't make explicit anywhere in this post is: nurture relationships. And not just because it might benefit you in the future. I've always received more gratification helping others and seeing them succeed vs. having some kind of reciprocated benefit. It feels good to help people and often times those who appreciate the support do want to reciprocate in some way.
As always, keep finding the opportunity in your obstacles.
James
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