It’s become a weekly occurrence for me. People who I don’t know reach out on LinkedIn asking for help finding a job. They send me their CVs, ask me to connect them with someone who can help, or request that I wave a magic wand and help them land a job. While I want to be helpful, there’s something that’s increasingly frustrating to me: most job seekers aren’t approaching the job search the right way.
This frustration led me to create four courses for sustainability job seekers, each course covering a different aspect of landing a job. Know more here: “Get Hired for Impact: 5-day Sustainability Career Challenge”
I believe that being able to sell yourself in the job market is a skill—one that requires time, effort, and a serious commitment to learning. But the reality is that most job seekers aren’t putting in the work to develop this skill. Instead, many people expect that simply sending their CV to someone or asking for a connection will be enough to secure them a job.
It’s time for a reality check. Finding a job is a journey, and it requires much more than just submitting applications. It’s like preparing for a major physical and mental challenge—think of it like climbing Mount Everest. To succeed, you need more than just a desire to reach the top; you need a clear plan, the right guidance, and plenty of preparation.
Climbing Mount Everest doesn’t happen overnight. You need to train, get fit, and understand the challenges ahead. Similarly, finding a job requires time to develop your skills—specifically, the skills to market yourself effectively. Job seekers often overlook this part. They expect a job to fall into their lap, without realizing that crafting a compelling personal brand, writing a winning CV, and perfecting your interview skills takes time and practice. Just like Everest, the journey to a dream job is a marathon, not a sprint.
Before attempting to climb Mount Everest, you wouldn’t just show up with a backpack and hope for the best. You’d invest in the right gear, get expert guidance, and learn everything you need to know to navigate the challenges ahead. The same goes for finding a job. You need resources that will help you develop your skills and guide you through the process. Whether it’s reading books, taking online courses, or hiring a coach, investing in these resources is crucial. Without the proper knowledge and tools, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Imagine you’re at the base of Everest, and instead of training or getting the right gear, you just ask a stranger to take you to the top. It wouldn’t work. It’s no different in finding a job. Asking random people, like me, to simply give you a job or connect you with someone who can help isn’t a viable strategy. You need to invest in your own development first. The people who succeed in the job market are those who put in the effort to learn the ropes and take control of their own journey. Networking is important, but it should be part of a larger, more strategic plan.
Just like Everest climbers face setbacks due to weather or physical challenges, the job search often requires persistence. You may face rejection or find that opportunities don’t come as quickly as you’d hoped. But just like those who climb the highest peaks, you’ll need to keep going, learn from your experiences, and improve as you go. Expect to apply and reapply, refine your approach, and keep pushing forward.
Climbing Mount Everest without a guide would be nearly impossible, and similarly, navigating the job market without expert help can make the journey much harder. Hiring a coach, attending workshops, or seeking advice from professionals who understand the job market can help guide you toward success. The best climbers have expert Sherpas guiding them—just as the best job seekers seek out people who can show them the way.
Reaching the summit of Everest takes months of planning and hard work. Likewise, landing a dream job is rarely a quick win. It takes time to develop the right skills, network effectively, and find the right opportunity. Many job seekers expect quick results and are disappointed when things don’t happen right away. Instead of giving up when things don’t go as planned, treat the process as a long-term goal that requires sustained effort.
The job search is challenging, and it’s not a shortcut to success. Just like climbing Mount Everest, it requires preparation, persistence, and the right mindset. If you’re serious about finding your dream job, invest in yourself. Take the time to develop your skills, hire experts if necessary, and understand that it will be a long journey. But with the right preparation and effort, you’ll be ready to conquer the climb.
Are you ready to treat your job search like the Everest climb it is? If so, you’re already on the right path.
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