6.5 Stealth job search
Let’s say sometime in the next year or two you’re going to want to move to a new job or initiate the next phase of your career. What do you do?
You can look at job listings and send out resumes. But most people find that depressing.
And if you’re not ready to make your move yet, resumes are premature. Plus, I’ve heard plenty of HR people say resumes are more for ruling people out than finding top talent.
Plus, there’s this. Job searches tend to put people into a funk. I’ve seen people who have remarkable skills and abilities and an amazing track record crash into low self-esteem when they are between jobs, or even when they start thinking about what’s next for them.
So…
I recommend networking.
But a special kind.
You could call up people and ask them for…
An informational interview.
But the problem is that lots of folks think what you’re really saying is…
“I need a job quick.”
And if they don’t know of jobs they can turn you on to, they might be reluctant to meet with you because they don’t want the pressure and they don’t want to disappoint you.
If you really are doing an informational interview because you want to find out what it’s like to work in a particular field, make sure you make that very clear in your request…
“I’m calling to ask you for an informational interview because I think I might like to do the kind of work you’re doing. And I have some questions I’d like to ask you that could help me decide my future.
“Let me also be clear that I’m not in need of a job right now. I’ve got time before I decide where I’m headed. I’m very big on advance planning.
“I just want to ask you what it’s like doing what you do. I won’t be asking you if you know of open positions you could refer me to.”
But if an informational interview is not what you need, then try this…
A mission interview.
Except don’t call it that.
Here’s how you could make a request for one of these…
“Hi, I’m looking ahead and starting to think about the next phase of my career. I’m someone who is very mission-oriented and I want to find where I can make my best contribution.”
Notice that instead of enrolling them in helping you get something just for yourself, you’re enrolling them in the bigger meaning of helping to make the world a better place by getting you into the right position. So…
You’re enrolling them in mission.
And then you could add…
“I’m not looking for a job right now. I’m happy where I am. I’ve got plenty of time before I take the next step in my career. I like to do advance planning.
“And as I look ahead, what I know is that it’s really important to me to be able to make the biggest difference I can make given my talents, skills, and years of experience. And it’s really important to me to work with people I love working with and who love working with me.
“If you’re willing to meet with me, I’d like to ask you the pros and cons of the work you do. And how you got your present job. Was it something you planned, was it serendipity. And how do you think about where you’re headed in the future. These and other questions will help me think about my own situation.”
And once you’ve done a few of these interviews, you can add…
“The interviews I’ve done so far have really got me thinking. People have brought up ideas I’ve never thought about. They’ve given me new strategies and new questions to ask myself. They’ve surprised me.
“And a couple of the people I’ve talked with said our conversation got them thinking more seriously about their own future.
“Best of all, though, these interviews have turned out to be lots of fun.”
Now think about who you would like to interview.
If there’s an organization that does work you’re intrigued by with a leader who you’ve heard rave reviews about and you think you might like to work there, call up that leader and ask for an interview.
Instead of a mission interview, this becomes…
A steal job interview.
Because this person is going to learn a lot about you through the quality of questions you ask, the quality of your listening, and the free-flowing conversation that gets ignited.
If they like you, they might keep you on their radar for when they have an opening.
And there’s another possibility. I’ve coached leaders who have told me things like this…
“I’m not happy with my deputy director. He’s okay, but he’s not great. I don’t want to let go of him in case I can’t find someone better. But if I happened upon someone great, and she was ready to take a new job, I’d replace my deputy in an instant.”
So is it worth talking to directors of organizations where there’s no present opening? Yes, it is. And especially because so many jobs are filled backchannel through networking without any job announcement being sent out.
If there’s someone you’d like to meet with and get to know—and have them get to know you. You can ask them for…
A discovery interview.
Except you won’t call it that. Essentially you’re asking them to talk with you on a particular topic. It’s like a consultation only conversational and therefore more fun.
For example…
“I’ve heard great things about your leadership style, and I’m wondering if I could come ask you about how you developed your abilities? Did leadership come naturally to you? Did you work on it? How do you think about leadership? What books have you found helpful or inspiring?”
Or…
“I’ve heard that you are great at life-work balance. That’s something that’s very alive for me right now. I’m in the process of making some serious changes. If you’re willing, I’d love to come ask you questions about how you developed balance in your life. I find I learn so much from hearing other people’s stories.”
Again, the person you interview will learn a lot about you by the quality of the questions you ask, your attention, and whatever conversation gets ignited.
And it still surprises me how rarely great leaders get asked for the behind-the-scenes story of their lives and leadership. So often people will rave about the results they get, but don’t know anything about…
Who they had to be and what it took to get those results.
That’s one reason there’s that phrase, “lonely at the top.”
If you’re a respectful, appreciative listener, there are lots of people who would be happy to tell you about themselves and would find it rewarding rather than a burden.
But what if your job search is urgent? What if you can’t say you’ve got plenty of time so there’s no pressure? You can still put the focus on…
“I want to find a place where I can make my best contribution.”
You can still enroll people in that mission.
And you can still make sure to include some version of this…
“I’m just asking you to be my thought partner for a few minutes. I’m not going to be asking you if you know about job openings. I’m good at finding leads and pursuing them. But if you’re willing, I would like to ask you questions that would help me focus and clarify my thinking and strategy.”
So even if you’re feeling urgent about finding a new job, you’re getting across the message one way or another…
Yes, my search is urgent, but I’m handling the urgency myself, I’m not dumping it on you.
But of course, once they get to know you, and if they are impressed with you, they’re going to be motivated to help. So they might tell you about an opening, or give you the number of someone else to call who might be able to help you.
One last tip…
The more fun you have looking for your next job, the better the chance that you’ll come up with something good.
And these interviews—mission interviews and stealth job interviews—really can be a whole lot of fun.
