SUFB 599: How Marine Conservation Job Search Is Like Being A Salesperson

Searching for Jobs in Marine Conservation can be daunting, frustrating and depressing. We get up in the morning, find a job, then apply to it thinking that we will get an interview...but nothing. This process is repeated daily and your passion dwindles every month you are not working in Marine Conservation. However, it doesn't need to be this way. 

Searching for a job is similar to being a salesperson, where getting the job is the sale of a product/service. You can cold call people by applying to a job without any of the personnel knowing who you are just like you get phone calls from call centres trying to sell you a product. The chance of getting a sale or a job is slim. 

However, if you build a relationship with the client/employer, then you can show them who you are, become someone they trust and respect. Become someone they think about when there is an opportunity available. 

Building relationships is not the same as applying for a job blindly. Building relationship is about networking. Networking is one of the most important aspects of job hunting.

Networking is not about adding people to your "Contacts" App. It's about building relationships. You are selling yourself by seeking out a job, but you don't want to ask right away. You want to be patient and bring value to the person. Overtime, an opportunity may arise where you end up getting a job in the opportunity you want. 

I go into more detail about building a networking and seeking a job. during this episode.

This episode is building on top of last week's episode on Marine Conservation career. 

Do you have questions about your career? Discuss it in the Facebook Group.

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