Maintaining Happiness while job hunting

I am reading a fascinating book at present. I picked it up thinking it was a frivolous and light read, but its packed with insight. Brown explores an interesting concept of happiness using the wisdom of the classic Stoic and Epicurian teachings. I don't typically read philosophy books, and so this is an interesting deviation, but a learning opportunity.

Both philosophies were founded in Athens around 300 B.C as the lives of both Zeno and Epicurus, the founders of the two schools, overlapped. They both counseled that we should avoid excessive pleasure and desires. And to settle an important point early on, Epicureanism did not advocate for excessive self-indulgence the way we may think they did. (Just as the Stoics were not unfeeling and reject emotions.)

Happy, the book, aims to reclaim happiness and to enable us to appreciate the good things in life, in all their transient glory. By taking control of the stories we tell ourselves, by remembering that 'everything's fine' (according to Brown) even when it might not feel that way, we can allow ourselves to flourish and to live more happily.

How can we apply philosophical teachings to current day?

The Covid Pandemic has changed the face of employment. Many, who were in life-long jobs, are back in the job market. Others, are having to pivot their career, often at a later stage in life. I daily read harrowing stories from people who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. Disillusioned and stressed, they desperately apply for job after job to no avail. I can imagine how stressful and exhausting it can be. Application after application, rejection after rejection. It is hard to remain resilient. As I read Brown's book, I was taken in particular, about one example he gave. I wondered if it might help you with interviews and job applications. (Yesterday I spoke about how narratives shape our life and how the language we use influences our thoughts. I shared a Ted Talk that Lera Boroditsky did on language and how we use it to frame our stories.)

Brown quoted Brian Cranston's advice to aspiring actors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1WiCGq-PcY). Mr Cranston said that initially he had gone to auditions 'to get a job' and he had realized that it wasn't helpful or working. He said that an actors role was to create a compelling interesting character and present it in an environment where the audition happens and them you walk away.

How can we use this knowledge to help those in employment crisis? What if you were to identify your skills and strengths. You were to create a CV/Application Form to the best of your ability, highlighting those strengths and achievements. You were to present them at an interview and then (wait for it....)

........you walk away.

It is up to the the interviewer to decide if you would fit in with the team, if you have the right skillset, if you would be happy in the role. Just like an actor auditioning, your role is not to 'get the job' - you have absolutely no control over that. Your role is to show up, be present, and demonstrate what you have done in the past that may help the company in the future. Your only responsibility is merely to be you. That's it. Focus on the elements of your job search, that you can control. You cannot control if they choose you for the job!

This goes back to my article on "Circle of Control". Stephen Covey talks about your circle of control and your circle of influence and circle of concern. It is a great tool for resilience. The job hunting arena is not an easy place to be at the moment, but I encourage you to question, what is within my control and what is outside my control. If it is outside your control its important to let it go, and stop worrying about it, to park it. Trying to control something that is outside your control, only serves to increase stress levels. Focus on what you can control, ie your CV/Applicantion, your contacts, your behavior within an interview, your attitude. The rest is irrelevant.

Best of luck with your job hunt.

For a confidential chat on your career pivot call Karen on +353 87 4567847