What do nuclear war and a job interview/search have in common?
Many of you who are children of the 1980’s like me probably remember “WarGames”, Matthew Broderick’s first big movie(?) where he plays a hacker that breaks into a computer that controls U.S. nuclear missiles. Through a chain of events, the computer decides to initiate a countdown for a nuclear strike.
In a desperate attempt to stop this, it is decided that the computer must learn no one wins a global nuclear war by playing tic-tac-toe. It does this repeatedly through every iteration of game play until it determines the best result is not to play since no one wins.
It is after this revelation the computer states the famous quote from “WarGames”.
“The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?“
While absent risk of a nuclear exchange, communication elements of finding a job carry the same lesson. The best way to win is not to play. How can this be?
Don’t play the same “games” as your competition.
Resume submissions. Submitting resumes online is the same as whistling in the wind. Some music producer might here the music and sign you to a recording contract, but highly unlikely. You have absolutely awful odds of a resume getting selected and advanced by the algorithm filters and people gatekeepers. Plus, this process diminishes your value until you’re a commodity. There may be situations in which you have to make a good faith effort submitting resumes (like for unemployment). Do what you have to do. But don’t stop there.
Work on connecting with people who actually make the hiring decision for a job. Or people who truly influence that person. Rarely is this a recruiter. Become well known in what you do so that a decision-maker asks for your resume. Network, write, record, and do good work.
Trendy advice and suggestions from experts on what to do in interviews and job hunts. Yes, this piece is giving advice, but this is good advice. Quality and dare I say timeless advice. Be you. Not a clone of someone reading the latest advice in a magazine or online.
Yes, a clone. Because recruiters see the trends in their interviews, on resumes, and even with the questions asked by candidates. Sure, use advice that makes sense for you. But do so selectively, don’t go all in. Like a clone.
Your communication needs to intelligently say you have value to offer an employer beyond regurgitating “hot advice” guaranteed to make a difference. Until next week’s “hot advice” comes out.
Be smart. Be you. Stand out in a way that entices people to ask about you. Be a quality, valued, and smartly compensated hire.
Drop it to lo-fi
If you’re in the market for music to think or zone out on, consider lo-fi. It’s a subgenre of electronic music that can be great for concentrating and relaxing. It intentionally has audio imperfections (hence the name). Be careful which songs you're listening to when, though. I sat down in my recliner to read while listening to lo-fi and woke up two hours later. Luckily it was a Saturday!
A search on Apple Music, Spotify, etc. will turn up plenty of listening options. One is the artists Lofi Fruits (it’s a collaboration of musicians). Their music can be found here. They just came out with the greatest hits album with 199 songs. Not a lot of songs, but it’s a start. You can also find playlists and videos on YouTube that can be soothing to play in the background.
Get productive in the zone or just chill. Laid back music awaits your ears and mind.
Lofi Fruits YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LofiFruits