The Founding Fathers Offer 5 Tips for Your Job Search
The American Revolution like the French revolution and others that preceded it offers wonderful profiles in courage if we only take a minute to see them.
Yet there are other lessons that we can learn from them and from other heroes of the American Revolutionary War that we can apply to job hunting.
Lesson 1: There comes a time . . .
The American revolutionaries decided that enough was enough. That it was important to stand up to what they perceived as tyranny and take action. They tried to negotiate with the British but ultimately decided that war was necessary. You as a job hunter working for your employer need to decide for yourself when to negotiate and when to take action and, if you take action, take consistent decisive action.
Lesson 2: What are your principles?
The Americans established principles that have stood the test of time in their war with the British. They knew what they stood for and became clearer and clearer as time went on.
What’s most important to you in your next job or organization? What will you need to see or know in order to know it is the right place and job for you to work in?
Lesson 3: Find allies
Benjamin Franklin was sent to France to persuade the French to support the Americans. They sent troops and a general, General Marquis de Lafayette, to aid the Americans (and to support their own interests) in their battles with the English.
Who is there to help you outside of your family? Where can you find allies to aid you with introductions as well as advice during your job search?
Lesson 4: Do Not Give Up!
There were many reasons to give up and only one to stay the course. Especially in difficult times or when you are facing strong competition it will be easy to give up and hard to persist. Remember your reasons for job hunting and do not surrender your principles for expedience.
Lesson 5: Beware of traitors!
Like Benedict Arnold, you may have friends or colleagues who will sell you short and try to persuade you to stay. Like wolves in sheeps clothing they will make a strong case for surrender by manipulating facts into “nuanced thinking” and count on the passage of time to dissipate the strong feelings that brought you to rebellion. Beware!
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