Sizzle, sizzle, and more sizzle – that’s what our world seems to have become. Shiny, new, “the latest,” “the greatest,” the “don’t miss this special offer, only available for a limited time!!!”. (And of course always followed by multiple exclamation marks.) And job search has become the same. It’s all about marketing and sizzle.

Problem is, we live in a world of sizzle, but we long for a world of steak.

The steak is the good stuff. The satisfying stuff. Sizzle doesn’t satisfy – it may tempt, tease, intrigue – but not satisfy. The things that really hit the spot – that’s the steak. Meaning, connection, authenticity, integrity – these are the things that make us feel on track. The things we crave in a deep and very human way.

A satisfying job search is not about the sizzle; it’s not about having the snazziest looking resume and the  catchiest brand identity. Finding a job with steak requires a job search with steak – a job search that emphasizes authenticity over advertising, and connection over catch phrases.

We may live in a big world of sizzle, but we can make our own little worlds about steak.

Note to counsellors, coaches, and librarians:

Interested in this concept? You might enjoy Job Search Advising: All Sizzle, No Steak?, the keynote I’m presenting at the Canadian Career Information Association AGM on Thursday May 27^th.

Job search as sales & marketing