The Art of War for Job Search (Part 1)

A classic in modern military study, The Art of War by Sun Tzu has its origins in two and a half millennia of Chinese tradition. It not only survives to this day as a military document it has found its way into other doctrines and a diverse number of applications. My copy of The Complete Art of War is the 1996 English translation by Ralph Sawyer and it is reputed to be one of the most scholarly interpretations of the text handed down from the original. It reveals the complex relationships between armies locked in combat, but it also has become a universal analogy for principles of leadership, management and life itself. It could be said to be the epitome of insight to a deeper understanding of human conflict. It is periodically worth reviewing the principles of war as it relates to human resources management and other interpersonal relationships, such as that faced by job seekers in today’s market.

The application of Sun Tzu’s principles to non-military thinking usually omits one key element. It was written with keen focus on discipline, well ordered troops and organization as it relates to spirit, or ch’i. He comments that when the soldiers are well fed, properly trained, clothed and armed, their ch’i was aroused and they would fight with valor. If there was imbalance in their relationships, their ch’i would be deadened by physical or material conditions and they would be defeated. While this religious context may not be directly applicable today, the concept of being prepared or unprepared in spirit definitely applies to a job search.

The book is composed of thirteen chapters covering all aspects of the strategy of conflict. While they emphasize different aspects of doing battle, a common thread running through the text is that strategy is not simply working a list of “to do’s” but an action plan that could allow quick and appropriate responses to changing conditions. When unexpected situations arise, preparedness would overshadow sticking to a predetermined plan.  

1. Initial Estimations – He emphasizes in this chapter that war is too important and the consequences are too serious to be entered into lightly. There are very specific fundamental factors and necessary elements for success. Failure to heed the necessary steps in preparing for battle results in losing everything. A job search is no different. The search begins with thoroughly surveying everything that is relevant to the individual and the job market. Choice of career direction and next job step must be matched with information about the current market. A total analysis of self must be matched with needs in the workplace. The primary reason to enter the search is for the mutual benefit of both the job seeker and the prospective employer. If the reason to look for work is simply dissatisfaction with the status quo or unrest, the plan cannot begin. A firm conviction of purpose and a set objective is needed or the effort is lost before it starts.
2. Waging War – Understanding the challenges that will face a job seeker need to be considered in detail. There will probably be different degrees of winning or losing, so up front there must be a definition of what success will look like. Success is not always measured by reaching the ultimate goal of new employment. Sometimes it is winning the lesser battle to arrive at an intermediate stage that is a stepping stone toward that goal. Engagement must be quick and decisive without hesitation. Evaluation of progress also needs to be immediate so measuring success can be fed back into the plan. It is also important to define the boundaries of cost so that resources are conserved, used wisely and not wasted. Time is a resource that can only be spent once, so prioritizing activities to maximize this crucial aspect of the search is of paramount importance. The use of tools to manage time can itself become a challenge when the lure of technology wastes the resources that it was intended to help.   
3. Planning Offensives – After considering the environment and considering challenges, this is the beginning of the actual plan of attack. Just as in war, the best solution is to win without fighting. Finding circumstances that almost guarantee success are hard to find but not impossible. That perfect match does exist, but it cannot be a forced fit. Most of the battles will be fought on someone else’s turf, so being the solution to their biggest problems will have the employer seeking the seeker. As in any negotiation involving other people, it is important to know when to push and when to back off. Networking contacts are an important resource and must be employed sparingly and wisely. The end goal of each offensive will be to turn contacts by phone or social media into a face-to-face meeting and a discussion of mutual needs.
4. Military Disposition – The concept of appearing invincible works in armies and in job seekers. Touting strengths by display of skills through accomplishments makes the story not only believable it creates an aura of quality that is a desired trait in a candidate for employment. Scripting the story to be employed at the precise time and place is a key to winning. It is important to recognize strategic opportunities and also to prevent opponents from finding opportunities to push back. Information is the ammunition of success in the job search. Anything that is worth doing is worth measuring and recording. Focusing energy to maximize the use of information gives the job seeker a distinct advantage. Employers will manage data on candidates, so to come to that battle unarmed is to bring a white flag.

To be continued in Part 2