Writer, Agilist, Elder Geek
Lately, when I talk to people about their job searches, it seems that a lot of them are worried they're being labeled in their job searches by recruiters. They worry these labels are at best limiting, and at worst, detrimental. With so much labeling, there's honest fear the judgements being passed are harmful.
Here's my take: yes, you're being labeled.
The job search is like a fighting game. Yes, I dare compare the noble endeavor of sending out endless streams of resumes to Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, King of Fighters, Knights of Smash-Face, and whatever else is out there where buttons are mashed and pain is delivered.
Think about it. You seek victory, while pursuing vague and at times poorly-worded motivations. You travel to strange locations, wear outfits you never would normally, and engage assorted people in what feels like sparring matches The only difference is you usually don't get two chances per encounter to win, you get one. Also giant lizard ninjas don't spit poison on you as much.
Fighting Games teach us important truths about the job search. Yes, without the benefit of alcohol that you can prove, I'm saying victory in the job search is like victory in a fighting game – you want to call on specific moves to win.
We're here to encourage professional geekery, of taking your fantoms and making them your profession. But I'd like to take a moment to encourage the reverse.
Yes, I'd like to encourage you to think about how you can do your regular job in your hobbies (assuming there's enough of a difference).
Now we'd love to drag our hobbies into our jobs, so encouraging the reverse may seem different. Aren't we trying to encourage you to take your hobbies and make them into jobs?
So here's what I'm thinking . . .