One version of a famous proverb is,
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
~Proverbs 11:14 New International Version
Another version of the same proverb is,
“Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.”
Proverbs 11:14 Amplified Bible
The second version does not tell us us to seek many advisers, it tells us to seek wise, intelligent guidance from wise and godly counselors. Since most don’t read the second version, too many people are getting wrong advice.
Let’s consider the two messages…
The first (NIV) version says,
“Listen to everyone.”
The second (AMP) version says,
“Listen to the wise and intelligent.”
What does this mean for a job seeker?
If you listen to everyone, you’re going to hear advice like this…
I asked a friend about jobs in Tampa Bay in 2010
My Friend responded, ‘There are no jobs in Tampa Bay.’
My Experience was, I interviewed with a Tampa Bay employer the next day.
I asked another friend if his employer was hiring,
He told me: ‘No, they’ve been cutting back for years.’
My experience was, When I went to his company’s career site, I found page upon page of jobs that were a good match for me.
The takeaway is…
Not Everyone Has Wise and Intelligent Advice.
What is rarely understood by almost everyone, is,
Most people do not know what they don’t know.
Because of this fact,
Many, if not most people, think they know all there is to know about everything.
Here’s where this type of thinking could steer you wrong in a job search…
Let’s say you’re very interested in the ABC corporation. They have an opening that seems like a perfect match. They’re a growing company and they appear to embody the same values you have. While you’re applying to the job, your friend calls. You tell her what you’re doing and she replies,
“Don’t even bother. I went to all of the trouble of applying, customizing my resume and interviewing. And for what? I never got the job.”
Let’s examine the assumption underpinning her advice…
Her assumption is…
“If I wasn’t hired, you won’t be hired.”
In other words, you’re no better than I am. You’re no more qualified, no more capable, no better at articulating your strengths, and no better at interviewing.
What does this person know about you?
I’d wager she thinks she knows all there is to know about you. I’d say with almost 100% certainty, that her knowledge and understanding of you and your capabilities is limited. Her ego is also undermining the value of her advice. For most people aren’t going to tell you, that you will succeed where they failed.
So who’s advice should you seek?
You need to seek the wise and intelligent. In this example, the wise and intelligent are those who’ve succeeded where you want to succeed. If you want to work for the ABC Corporation, get to know people who work at the ABC Corporation. These people have succeeded where you want to succeed.
Do you see the value in listening to the wise and intelligent vs. listening to everyone?
