By this point in your job search you are probably acutely aware of the importance of pounding job boards, schmoozing your way through networking events, and making sure your self-marketing materials are in tip-top shape. What you may not be cognisant of is how effective simply taking the plunge, and diving head first into getting your dream job may be.
Take the story of foursquare Director of Business Development Tristan Walker. Walker was an active foursquare user looking to break into the startup world as a graduate student at Stanford. One day he sent an email to foursquare co-founders Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai inquiring about an internship. EIGHT (that’s right eight) emails later, Walker received an email back asking if he was ever in New York City. So Walker did what any sane job seeker across the country from his dream employer would do–say of course, I was planning to be there tomorrow, and purchase a flight. He got the job, spent a month as an intern, and now holds an executive position with one of the web’s most successful startups.
So what can other job seekers learn from Walker’s success? I would mostly boil it down to never being afraid to get shot down if you want something badly enough. “Corn on the Job” says its persistence that always pays off. I’ve been in a job search long enough to know that persistence doesn’t always pay off, not everyone will be Walker and get that dream job no matter how much persistence they show. You may be competing with other, very persistent and qualified candidates, or it may be that eight emails are the wrong fit for that employer. What I do think is important is that if you want a job badly enough, you put yourself in a better position to get it by maintaining contact with the employer and being ready when they might be. In other words, put yourself in a position to be in the right place at the right time.
Tristan Walker worked hard, maybe went a little crazy (I mean come on, a cross-country flight last-minute isn’t cheap), and scored a dream job. He then turned that opportunity into the job of a lifetime. Never be afraid to go for what you want, even be a little crazy if you must. It worked for Tristan Walker and it might work for you, but you’ll never know unless you try.
What is the craziest thing YOU would do to get a job? Tell us below!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by dpstyles™
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