Stuck between mediocrity and excellence

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...

"We don't need it do we? It's fake that's what it be to 'ya, dig me? Don't believe the hype... -- Public Enemy, Don't Believe The Hype When you are looking for new opportunities, it's natural to get drawn to all of the marketing and propaganda that's out there.  You'll see things like "The Best and the Brightest,"" Top 25 Places to Work,""Top 100 Up and Coming Companies," etc...  In order to get what you believe is a full picture of the company that you are interested in, you go to sites like Glassdoor where you'll see two extremes: people that are super stoked that they work at said company or people that are one step away from walking into the office and spraying everyone.  If you are really good at due diligence, you talk to a friend, or friends of friends that work for your target organization and listen to all of the things that confirm the bias that you already have planted in your mind.  ...

The Consultant says, "I really love consulting, but I hate dealing with clients."  The Doctor says, "I really love medicine, but I'm not a big fan of patients."  The Realtor says, "I love selling houses, but it sucks dealing with buyers."  It may not be that you are in the wrong profession. It may be that you are dealing with the wrong types of clients, patients, and buyers. If you are just starting in a profession, then the statements above make sense. And if that's the case, take your lumps, get the experience, and move on.  If you love what you do and you are good at it, there are customers out there that will appreciate it.  You won't find them if you continue pandering or catering to the crazies.