Even though I decided to continue my consulting business, I am still sending out resumes.Although I am almost positive I won't accept any of the positions offered to me, there are several reasons why I don't think of it as a waste of time:
- The Impossible. The off chance that I actually find a great company to work for (and that gives me the opportunity to advance to a management or partnership role in the future).
- Contacts. Basically I need to get my name in front of as many people as possible. Even if there isn't an opportunity to work together at the moment, there may be some time in the future. This is what business networking is all about: long-term relationships.
- Insight. Because most of my work revolves around the hiring process (see EmployApp, my hiring management software, as well as ERS , Brooke , Agilogic, and the many other clients I have in the HR industry), it's important that I understand the mind of a job seeker and the process they go through.
But as I was talking to a friend of mine she suggested one other reason that I didn't think of. Even if I'm not particularly interested in any of the jobs, I'm still gaining Experience.
"Wait a second", I said. "I've been in 4-hour meetings to sell EmployApp to Boards of Directors and C-level employees of large corporations. I have experience." She argued that there was a difference. The more I think about it, the more I am starting to realize that she was right—and that the main reason why I decided to go into business for myself is this: it's actually easier to sell a product or service than to sell yourself.
- I don't take it personally when a prospect doesn't buy from me.
- I go on sales meetings, not interviews.
- No one asks me to take a personality test or pass a background check.
I guess I never realized it before, but I can't believe what most people put up with in order to get a job. Employers are a real pain in the ass.
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