Do you want to make buggy whips? A lot of them are sold here in Amish country. Just don’t expect to get rich making them.
An hour ago I talked to a very good programmer whose skills are hopelessly out of date. She was hoping to get a job as an intern so she could upgrade her skills. She has only one problem in her job search:
- Only antique collectors say, “I like things that are outdated, frustrating, inefficient, and dangerous.”
Luckily she knew she might only be hired as an intern. Some people think that they should be hired as rocket scientists even though they have outdated skills. Seriously. I have people severely infected with archaic abilities approach me every week. They freely admit their problem and then tell me they deserve a great job, a raise and happiness without their own effort.
Bosses want to hire the best people they can. They aren’t social workers. Some companies train the people they hire, but they are going to try and hire the best worker who needs the least training. It is pure common sense: they hire the best person.
If you are a master of buggy whip technology, don’t expect a job at NASA. There will always be a few buggy whip makers scraping by, but you won’t get rich working for them. Invest in yourself. Get the updated skills you need to be employable. Get out of the buggy whip age and into the computer age. Leave the stone arrowhead tools behind and become an engineer. Learn to be an expert.
That means you need to invest in yourself. It may be as simple as asking your boss for training. More likely you will have to study on your own. Read a new technical, sales or business book each month. Subscribe to journals and websites about what you do. There are community and online colleges that you can use to get a degree or advanced training.
You can’t make a silk purse out of a buggy whip. But with time and patience you can turn a mulberry leaf into a silk purse. It takes specialized knowledge and a silk worm. Learn the specialized knowledge you need for your job. Go make a silk purse.
Something To Do Today
Think about your job search. Just think. And then take notes about your conclusions.
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For 2 weeks: Zen and the art of getting a job
Tomorrow: Why you aren’t paid what you are worth
Later: A man dying of thirst
Perception
Character
Diamond in the rough
Cleat marks up your back