Do you like to eat three meals a day? If so, and you are over eighteen, then you probably need a job. That's no problem if you already have one, like it, and aren't going to lose it. Everyone else, keep reading.

What I learned

I heard Dave Ramsey mention a book last summer while I was out running an errand. It really caught my interest, so I made a note of it and looked it up later.

What Dave was talking about that I didn't know is that most jobs are never advertised anywhere. I have found that is especially true with good jobs that people actually want to work at.

The classifieds

Looking in the classifieds for a good job might be worth trying, but can very quickly turn into an exercise in frustration if you are looking for a good long-term job. It isn't about discrimination. It isn't about cheap labor. It isn't about outsourcing. It is just common sense and human nature.

A tale of job hunting success

Let's say I run a widgets business. Let's call it, Varied Widgets Corporation or VWC for short. At VWC, I have thirteen employees. Ten of these work in the widget production department, two in the front office, and one is a widget designer. One day, I decide to double the number of types of widgets we are making to try to appeal to a new market.

After I talk to Ralph, our designer, I realize there is no way he can crank out any more designs and maintain consistent quality. That leaves me with the options of either outsourcing or hiring a new designer. Ralph suggests it is much better for our workflow to keep it in house and tells me that Rolanda, the wife of his second cousin, Ronald, just graduated from design school. She had just called him a few weeks ago to chat and mentioned she was looking for a design job.

A few days later Rolanda stops by with a resume and stops in to say "Hi!" to Ralph and chat for a second. While they are chatting, I review the application and holler out my office door for her to come in and have a seat. We discuss the resume together and talk about the job.

Ten days from the day I first talked about it with Ralph, Rolanda is sitting at a desk designing widgets and trying to figure out the company insurance program.

The job was never advertised anywhere! Chances are the other positions I will need to fill to ramp up production won't be either, unless they are jobs no one wants.

Of course my story is completely fictional, but it is how good jobs are found. You don't even have to be good friends. Sometimes just asking a neighbor who has a friend who works at the company you applied at to check on your application can be enough to get someone to pull it out from the bottom of the pile, see that you are good enough and give you a call for an interview.

Moral of the story? Good jobs usually aren't found in the classifieds. They are found through friends, friends of friends, and yes, even their friends.

The book

[amazon 1599951533 thumbnail]Oh, and the book Dave recommended was so good I recommend it now too. [amazon 1599951533 inline] is a fun read and Bob Beaudine does an excellent job making his point that traditional networking is garbage. Friends are where it's at.

This isn't a complete book on how to get a job. It is just a powerful book that has the potential to be a classic on "The Power of Who."

Recommendations

If you are working through a career change or looking for a job, I would suggest reading [amazon 1599951533 inline].

For many types of sales people and human resource people, this book is required reading.

For pastors and church leaders, The Power of Who might prove very helpful depending on what stage of ministry you are in and what you are going through right now.

If you are like me and don't ever like to ask for help, The Power of Who can help nudge you toward a more balanced life.

—Luke