To honor the start of Season 5 of AMC’s The Walking Dead (premiering this Sunday, Oct.12), here are 7 job-seeking tips that don’t require waiting until the zombie apocalypse.
1.) Knowledge is power. In a post-apocalyptic world, what you don’t know can killyou! Survival requires knowledge of tools, weaponry, agriculture, first-aid, and other basic survival skills. It also requires knowledge of your group and your enemies. Michonne survived isolation in the woods due to her background in fencing and knowledge of how and when the walkers attack. Hershel’s knowledge of anatomy saved Carl’s life. Daryl’s knowledge of tracking saved the group from attacks numerous times.
THE LESSON: Know the realities of today’s job market. If you’re just beginning your job search, here are some quick questions to ask yourself:
  1. Is your resume customized and optimized for the ATS?
  2. Do you have a list of employers you are targeting?
  3. What has been the result of your recent job interviews?
  4. Do you have a clear target?
2.) Strength is in numbers AND individuals. The first lesson in a post-apocalyptic world: you need a group to survive. Michonne only got so far alone in the wilderness. Larger groups seemed to fare better than smaller groups (think Tyrese and Sasha pleading to join Rick’s group; the difficult trek toward the unknown Terminus). The second lesson: the group dynamics will determine your