We all have different strategies for job- searching. Unfortunately though, some of us haven’t quite got it right yet! Take a moment to review the following five non-strategies. Do you recognize yourself in any of them?

1. I Wish — When you were a child you were probably asked many times what you wanted to be when you grew up. Your answer was most likely whatever suited your fancy at the time. No consideration had to be given as to how this was to be accomplished. The “I Wish” job searchers operate in a similar fashion. There is a goal, often very well defined, but there is no plan for bringing it into reality. They live in the future, but haven’t bothered to figure out how to get there.

2. The World Owes Me. This is a more assertive version of the “I Wish strategy.” These individuals have a goal, often in the form of a glamorous job, and a plan, of sorts. Someone is going to give them a job. These individuals wait patiently for a benefactor to confer upon them a suitable position. They expect it to happen with no more effort on their part than is required to pick up the phone and say, "Yes, I'll take the job."

3. I Hope — This non-strategy is usually characterized by a plan without a well-defined goal. These non-strategists send letters to employers. However, instead of a resume targeted to the company and position, they send aimless resumes and form letters that say little more than "I want a job." The “I Hope” job hunters strategize that, if they just send out enough resumes, the averages will be in their favor. But maybe they won't be.

4. I Beg— These strategists have no clearly defined goal other than "getting a job." They do, however, have a plan. They will grovel and beg their way to a job. If they had a motto, it would be: "I’ll do anything." The rationale for begging and groveling is probably the idea that by agreeing to do "anything" — or more precisely, showing a willingness to start at the bottom — they will demonstrate desire and enthusiasm. Although on the surface this may sound like a good idea, it backfires in many cases because starting at the "bottom" does not guarantee an opportunity for advancement in every organization.

5. What’s The Use — This is the most passive and pathetic non-strategy of all. At its heart, it is an admission that all their years of education and over 20 years of accumulated experience may add up to nothing of value. The “What's the Use strategists” often makes statements like: "I checked Iz Ruk v Ruki; I wouldn’t get any of those jobs as I’ve not got enough experience." Instead of testing that theory, the “What’s The Use” strategists will either stay at home waiting for an economic boom or settle for something far below their talent and education. They give up the fight before it’s even begun.

Conclusion

These non-strategies are examples of what NOT to do. Sometimes it is easier to have no strategy at all and just kind of let things happen to you than to take decisive action. That way, you don't have to make any real decisions. Non-strategies allow you to REACT to the "unfairness" of it all, thus protecting you from any chance of failing and being "exposed" by your "bad" job search strategies. This may work in the short run. You end up with lots of sympathy from your family and friends, but no good job.

To get the position and success you want, you must learn to launch an effective job- search strategy. You must ACTIVELY fight for success.