Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Using TOC while seeking a new job

After looking at the hiring process in the last 2 posts, I'd like to change my view point and look at the process from the other side. When a person is looking for a job – can TOC be of assistance?
First up is the realization that seeking a new position is a process of change and as such it would probably be beneficial to consider the 4 quadrants of change. Using the matrix can help a job seeker understand what special needs must be addressed during the process. Generically speaking these are the needs to reduce the risks inherent to the change and the needs to minimize or mitigate losses of parting with the current situation (losing the "mermaid"). It is important to remember that even when this change looks very appealing, an example could be a case of someone unemployed and in need of an income, the change does bring with it risks and losses which should not be ignored. Also make sure to consider both the employment side and the personal side of the change. Looking at the risk quadrant as an example – employment side risks may be "I will not succeed and this position will create a bad impression in my CV", personal side risks may be "I will have less available time to contribute at home which might create friction".

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3 comments:

Tal said...

I would like to see how you implement TOC for the job search.
The goal is obviously to find a job, but is it any job?
How would you define throughput?

Unknown said...

My thinking is that finding a job is a process and so doesn't fit the complete TOC process, which is geared for systems. For example the TOC goal talks about "more goal units now and in the future". One rarely needs to get more jobs now and in the future. So I'm applying the TOC process to professional life, in which the goal can be "more income now and in the future" or whatever fits the individual and is driving the process. Throughput is then measured in goal units. As always necessary conditions may apply, and this, as well as the "now and in the future" part of the goal, will probably limit the job search to specific jobs and not any job.

Anonymous said...

Hi Orion,
I was thinking that if the goal is getting a job that will satisfy and sustain you in the future, than throughput might be the number of interviews scheduled. Each interview will be a follow up to a resume sent and each resume will be a make to order where the system will be to generate make to order resumes and applications…..