The Compounding Value Of Being Out Of Work

I won’t blame you if you think I’m crazy. After all, the idea sounds silly.

How could more of a bad thing be a good thing?

Well, it’s true.  And the formula to the left proves it. The more you are out of work, the more you build your network.  And the more you build your network, the more opportunities come to you down the road.

Thereby increasing your opportunity for more jobs even when you aren’t looking. Because you are better known and appreciated.

Convinced?

Well, before you bite down too hard on the hook, I have to admit something.

The formula shown on the left doesn’t really have much to do with being out of work.  Or networking.

Although I guess technically there’s a relationship between the two subjects. Since the formula is actually the chemical compound for caffeine which most of us drink too much of during a job search.

But now that I have your attention, I do believe that even without scientific proof, the idea has merit.

But I’m not sharing this to convince you to quit your job every three years so you can build up a strong network.

I’m sharing it to help you see a true benefit of your situation (you are part of the job search fraternity).  I’m also sharing it to prepare you for a potentially unstable future (you may be in a perpetual job search) and to make sure you keep networking throughout your career.

Because networking is not simply a skill you learn to solve the job search problem.  It is a life skill.

Here’s how it works:

1. The first time out of work, you are literally starting from scratch. You know almost no one outside your prior company and often no one in your community.  You never needed to know anyone. You are saying and doing the wrong things and it is a slow process.

2. The second time around you are better at networking with the people you met the first time around (who now have jobs). And you automatically meet others who are out of work this time (not last time). You start o get known a bit.

3. The third time around you now have two sets of former connections and now are beginning to meet other job seekers who will need your help (considering you are now an expert at this).

So your network compounds at a faster rate. Just like your money does in an account where you earn interest.

No one really plans to be out of work. And certainly with the financial burden that accompanies a job search, I won’t wish it on you. But know that there are benefits to being out of work at times in life.

Without a job search, when will people learn about you?

Thanks Hey Paul Studios for the great image via Flickr

Written by: Tim Tyrell-Smith
Tags: better job | build | compounding | get known | growing | ideas | Job Search | network | networking | value
Categories: Career And Life Development