Design your own opportunity

Today I heard two separate stories depicting design of their own jobs. This is what is called the hidden job market. Let's look at the first story.

John had been let go from his previous employer due to restructuring and cost cutting. This happened just prior to his preplanned and paid for vacation. The good opportunity here is he had already paid for it and no money back so he had to go. Had he cancelled and got his money back, since he definitely may need it while unemployed, he may have stayed home, been depressed and not very positive as he went about his search. As it turns out he came home all refreshed, had the time to grieve while having a great time and a fresh approach to his search.

A former acquaintance called him and asked he stop by just to talk, the acquaintance was aware of the layoff. After John visited he put together a proposal for a growth opportunity at his friend's company and wound up being hired. There wasn't a position previously and now there was one. Two brains are better than one.

The next story is Lance, he has been doing consulting. He had found a great consulting job with one company and had actually been hired for a huge project. He was elated. About eight weeks into the assignment he was let go as they lost another big contract. He wasn't feeling to good now. He began the search again and found a small contract. As he works that contract he is able to ascertain whether this current company could really afford another full timer of if it should stay as a contract position. All the while making more and new contacts.

Your job when out there looking is to really listen, research and use your basic intuition to spot opportunity creating positions then act upon them with recommendations.