Slaying Goliath
Photo Credit: PurpleGecko on Flickr
The Turks expected an attack from British ships patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba to the West. Lawrence decided to attack from the east instead, coming at the city from the unprotected desert, and to do that he led his men on an audacious, six-hundred-mile loop – up from the Hejaz, north into the Syrian desert, and then back down toward Aqaba…. This was Lawrence’s great insight. David can beat Goliath by substituting effort for ability – and substituting effort for ability turns out to be a winning formula for underdogs in all walks of life… including newly-arrived skilled immigrants.
This excerpt comes from Malcolm Gladwell’s article, “How David Beats Goliath,” from the New Yorker. Gladwell discusses the way that underdogs prevail against the odds, or as the title explains clearly, how David beats Goliath.
You have heard some of the ideas written here before. You may have even tried them. I want to take a look at it from another perspective. Using some of the ideas put forth in the Gladwell article, I would like to discuss the successful tactics of underdogs from other time periods, in other places and in different situations. Then, I will apply them to skilled immigrants trying to find work in their field in a new country.
I do not get hired because I do not have any Canadian experience.
It’s something that we often hear from our clients. It leaves them frustrated and looking for answers. From the earlier excerpt, T.E Lawrence (AKA Lawrence of Arabia) led his smaller army in a revolt against the bigger and better trained Ottoman army. He led his men the long way around, through the desert in the summer, and battled heat, dehydration and snakes. Lawrence decided to substitute effort for ability.
Skilled immigrants can do the same. They can substitute effort for ability, and in the process gain some of that Canadian experience that employers say they are lacking. Do the legwork. Contact associations, research your industry and go out on informational interviews. More importantly, find volunteer opportunities. The more relevant it is to your field, the better. For more information about volunteering in Vancouver, take a look at this article by Catherine Rana.
Don’t just say that you’re a hard worker. Go out on that six-hundred mile loop through the desert and show it.
I have emailed resumes, but I do not get answers or feedback from anyone.
This is another common phrase that we often hear from our clients. There are job postings online. You upload your resume and cover letter to a website, and then you wait. Sometimes you get a response and sometimes you don’t. When you apply in this manner, you play within the parameters and to the strengths of the hiring organization. Underdogs are more successful when they change the rules of engagement. Now let’s go back to the Gladwell article and to an underdog story that you may be more familiar with: David and Goliath.
“And it happened as the Philistine arose and was drawing near David that David hastened and ran out from the lines toward the Philistine,” the Bible says. “And he reached his hand into the pouch and took from there a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead.” The second sentence—the slingshot part—is what made David famous. But the first sentence matters just as much. David broke the rhythm of the encounter.
David was victorious, not by matching the strength of Goliath, but by countering with speed and the tools of his trade. David did not proceed with the formal rules of engagement associated with battle.
David broke the rhythm of the encounter and was successful, and the same can be done when applying for jobs. The rules of engagement in the job market can be adapted to benefit the underdog. Other than sending emails and submitting applications to faceless computer programs, go out and network.
Networking helps with job search because you are no longer dependent on a company’s website. At a networking event a few months ago, one of our mentors shared how networking has helped him both in his professional and personal life. He cited how he has been successful in finding information about job opportunities from people he has met. In some instances, our mentor even found employment through the jobs that his network passed along to him. Not only that, but he also found value in the emotional and informational support that he received from the relationships that he formed.
Immigrants go through a lot to come to Canada. When you arrive here, it does not get any easier. Maybe you lack Canadian experience or maybe you don’t have the right information. The key is knowing that just because your army is out-numbered, or you are under-sized, or you lack this and do not have that, there are solutions. Just because you’re an underdog, does not mean that you cannot succeed. You have the tools. Whether it takes the form of a strong will, a slingshot, or a network of professionals; just like David, you can slay your Goliath.
Excerpts from “How David Beats Goliath,” by Malcolm Gladwell of the NewYorker.
Hi Jericho,
Once I again, I just want to thank-you for being my reference and helping me get my accounting job in Richmond.
I fully understand what you mean, being an immigrant, it is quite difficult to convince employers to hire you because they are unsure as to whether or not your skills and traits can be fully translated into Canadian culture.
Luckily, accounting is something that is done (almost) the same in every country.
I hope to see you soon and Go Canucks Go!