Locate Your Next Job Using
Saving Private Ryan Techniques

In the movie, the searchers for Private Ryan had a single purpose and clearly defined objectives; made purposeful steps toward their goal; and tried to apply the right strategies at the right time. Job searchers can learn from this, said outplacement counselor Charles Prugh, who spoke at the Marin Professionals General meeting on May 12, 1999. (Mr Prugh, actually took part in the Normandy invasion depicted in the movie.)

Use Low Animal Cunning

One strategy recommended by Prugh was the use of "low animal cunning." As an example, he told of a client who wanted to remain with his present employer but was stymied because it looked like his boss was going to remain in place forever -- thereby shutting off any advancement opportunities.

An audacious scheme was cooked up with the goal of getting the boss promoted out of the company! The client wrote an anonymous letter praising his boss's abilities and Prugh forwarded this to several headhunters with the suggestion that this excellent man would be a good search candidate. The boss shortly moved out and up, and the client got his promotion. He used the same tactic again for his next two moves up the ladder.

Get Serious

You need to use your creative imagination to figure out "who needs me?", attract their interest and attention, and show them how you can fill their need.

Job searching, like Saving Private Ryan, is an example of a linear search as a serious engagement. You need to get to a certain place, and to help you find your way you should circulate among the right people in your field - go to professional meetings and other places where you can network.

First use get some practice and develop your patter by doing social networking. Then start doing business-to-business networking. You need to contact between five and 105 persons within 90 days to uncover the right situation. You should be creative at networking. Let people know you care for them and the problems they have to cope with.

In an interview, your first task is to be a good host or hostess - making the interviewer feel comfortable. You can show that you are a "spiritual companion," someone the interviewer can easily converse with on a common ground.

Make a good attack. Have yourself well-armed to impress them with your ability to handle the engagement. Avoid doing anything to shoot yourself down - know what you want and don't waste their time articulating vague hopes and desires. Take charge of your side of the discussion and ask appropriate questions instead of acting like you're trying to fit in.

Systematically investigate several job titles for which you are reasonably qualified.

In the 1980s, job hunters applied for a specific position. This doesn't work so well anymore.

In the 1990s, job hunters do better by packaging themselves and then presenting a proposal to their target - in other words sell yourself to them.

• Create your agenda for the interview
• Describe problems you know they have
• Be clear about what you know and can do
• Mention at the end that you prefer permanent employment (assuming that's the case) but would consider interim contingency work.

What degree of chaos exists? Use chaos to your advantage. Areas that are evolving and growing have lots of confusion, and this offers good opportunities for enterprising job hunters -- there are problems to be solved and functions to be defined.

Look to new areas where the focus is on providing services, but avoid shrinking or stagnant industries like retail, insurance, and banking.

Public speaking and information-providing jobs offer nice opportunities. With things evolving rapidly, you can capitalize on the ignorance and confusion by becoming a valuable information source.

Charles Prugh counsels individual job seekers as well as consulting with companies. He can be reached at: (415) 434-1440