The document discusses how careers develop and people find jobs. It notes that the traditional linear career path is less common, and instead, careers now involve leaping between roles and using networks. It also emphasizes the role of chance, as up to 60% of careers are shaped by random events or opportunities. The document advises developing skills, networks, and experience through involvement to increase chances of serendipitous opportunities and shorten job searches. Proactive planning and engaging networks are posited to lead to better jobs more quickly than relying solely on job boards or newspapers.

1. How do
careers
develop? How
do people find
jobs?
Gerry Treuren November 2013

2. The traditional view of
a career
• You have a plan for what you
want to do
• Steady progression, onwards
and upwards!
• Fewer people have this now
Early to bed,
early to rise…

3. The new career trajectory
• Leaping from one role or
assignment to the next
• People use their
skills, knowledge, networks
to leap from assignment to
assignment
I hope that vine is
strong enough…

4. The protean or portfolio career
• Less job security
• Job assignments enable
you to develop skills,
networks and track record
…what am I going
to do next?

5. Getting ahead in the jungle
Maximise three types of career
assets
1. Knowledge, skill and
experience
…Makes me
2. Networks
wonder how I
3. Recommendations keep from
and reputation
going under
Its like a jungle
sometimes

6. Finding the next tree
Increasing your
marketability
Build your
knowledge, skills
and experience
to catch the new
opportunity
Getting better
information
Cultivating
social networks
to tell you about
new trees/ jobs
and make
representations
for you
Do you know of
anything going for
someone like me?

7. How careers usually unfold…
You are walking
down a path with a
plan for where you
want to go…
Marine biology
or bust!

8. But stuff happens. Happenstance
and a boulder
blocks your way…
Up to 60% of
careers are shaped
by random events
I’m heartbroken!
I didn’t make the
DFAT shortlisting.

9. Happenstance (2)
Or someone offers
you an exciting
opportunity
Exciting
opportunity
this way
About 40% of
jobs are found
unexpectedly
Yes, I can help
you organise that
fashion show!

10. Happenstance (3)
Someone you know
knows something you
want to know
0-100% of jobs are
found through strong
or weak tie networks
Did you hear about
the job at Haighs?

11. Chance of something unexpected happening
Increasing the chances
of happenstance
Involvement increases
skills, knowledge and
experience and builds
and develops
networks
I’m having fun
editing the bicycling
club newsletter
Involvement in work experience/volunteering/
professional group activities

12. Its not what you know…
Informality of recruitment
An occasionally true job seeker myth
Informal
selection
techniques
But random events remain
unpredictably important
Well, Jana in my bike club
liked my editing work and
mentioned me to her friend
in publishing…
Rigorous
selection
techniques
Importance of the job
Tell me again how you
got that new job?

13. Social networks – word of mouth
Strong tie
network
You
Weak tie
networks
It’s so good to see
you again!
Strong ties – family and
friends
• They usually know what
you know
Weak ties – people who you
know well enough to chat
with, call or email
• They usually know many
people you don’t know

14. Happenstance or planning?
People who plan their
careers and job search
strategies usually find:
• Better jobs
• More quickly
Put yourself in the way of
happenstance
And those who plan and
make job search efforts
find more unexpected
opportunities…

15. Proactive job search finds
jobs more quickly quicker
12
10
In this sample, the
proactive job seeker finds
the job in less than half
the time of the least
proactive job seeker.
8
6
4
2
0
Newspapers, job
boards
Previous + other
sources of job
information
Previous + direct
Emphasis on
contacting
activating networks
employers +
activating networks
months
Thanks for lining that
job up for me, Auntie
Norma

16. So, how should one prepare
for job search?
• Develop your
skill, knowledge and
experience in every role
•
Broaden and deepen your
portfolio
• Develop your job search
knowledge and skills
•
Treat your job search like a
job, devoting effort and
planning
• Put yourself in the way of
luck
•
•
•
Internships are an
investment
Volunteer and network as a
person and as a job seekers
Get involved in your
professional community