Hacking the Job Search: How to escape the rat race of unread résumés and unanswered applications

In January of 2013 I found myself unemployed, head of a single income household with 4 kids at home and quickly dwindling savings. Just a few months before that, while on active duty in the Navy, I had attended several classes on how to approach the job search process. They were somewhat helpful and I even landed an interview at Facebook. Facebook had flown me out to Austin for an interview. The whole thing looked like a tremendous opportunity to leverage some of my passion and knowledge about social media in a private sector leadership position. The pay, location in Austin, school system, housing options, people, weather, food … everything, looked great. Unfortunately, I bombed the interview and came home to tell the kids that Daddy was still on the job hunt. The end of my military service came quickly, and suddenly my full time job became finding a full time job. I went to bar tending school for 2 weeks in order to have some sort of evening job option to float us. Over the following months I worked on several fronts to improve myself as an independent consultant, an entrepreneur, a full time hire with a company and a Naval reservist. All of these options held potential for supporting my family, but each had its own costs as well. I learned through experience that desperation can lead us to a place where we will take any job, and yet the job market does not favor desperate people. I learned that most jobs are not advertised and that it is certainly who you know as well as what you know that counts. I learned that the current job seeker market serves the employer’s interest before the job seeker. I learned that failure is merely a bump in the road, and a point at which you can pivot towards success.

While the title of this book appeals to a broad audience, there are a few specific tips for those in defense contracting, national security and the military. This is because of my particular niche and experience. However, the general approach for hacking the job search can be applied in any industry, and indeed, I have tried to keep it relevant for everyone. Whether you are a transitioning veteran, a graduating college student or a downsized employee at a corporation, my aim with this book it to give you a process to get your next great job. I hope it helps.

Kindest Regards
Graham Plaster
CEO, The Intelligence Community LLC
www.theintelligencecommunity.com