Does Sheer Grit Work in the Job Search?
I just finished reading The Connection Algorithm by Jesse Tevelow. Be warned however, that his book is about escaping the ZombieLand known as the J.O.B., and this post is about one way to land your next big J.O.B. using an excerpt from Jesse’s book.
I was attracted to the title as a dedicated Connector who is always looking to improve. I also escaped ZombieLand, even while I help others through my career coaching find their place in it, hopefully with fellow Zombies they like.
Interestingly, Jesse serves as a model for much of what I teach about finding a job. With his permission, I have excerpted some passages from his book for illustration.
After graduation from college, Jesse was jobless. This is what he had to say:
I was scared shitless once again. Naturally, I decided to take another risk. I was blasting my resume out to every company I could find, but it didn’t seem to matter. Getting desperate, I began applying to restaurant jobs, and eventually found an opening at an upscale seafood place. A week later, I received a phone call from a guy named Wiley. He was the VP of SeamlessWeb, a startup that operated an online food ordering service.”
Desperation in a job search is understandable but can be tempered with a focus. Interestingly both grit and serendipity favored Jesse in this instance as he was finally found a job with sheer willpower, but was also contacted with another opportunity in the food industry. The challenge isn’t over yet, however.
At the time, this was a new concept. The company was relatively small – about fifty people, but it was growing like crazy. Wiley […] convinced me to come in for an interview and I met him in person later that week. I loved everything about him and the company, but unfortunately, he didn’t hire me.”
Most people in the job pursuit stop here and move on to something else. Not Jesse Tevelow.
Over the next few weeks, I emailed Wiley incessantly, begging him to hire me anyway. To my surprise, he eventually obliged. All of my risky decisions and persistence had finally paid off. I was working at a hot startup in New York City. It was my first taste of success.
Employers have hiring needs. And as much as risk taking is a requirement for businesses, a business owner must still mitigate their risks. Showing passion for a job, through sheer determination, can often be a tipping point in the hiring decision. Qualifications are important, but attitude is imperative.
Jesse Tevelow eventually escapes ZombieLand for good, but not without learning some amazing things before he breaks free, and certainly by way of grit and persistence. Check out The Connection Algorithm to read the rest of his story. Alternatively, check out his blog at jtev.me
