6 Lessons from David and Goliath That Can Advance Your Career

The biblical story, David and Goliath, is something most of us have related to at some point in our lives.  Malcom Gladwell wrote a brilliant book about the story by the same name which I highly recommend.  Here are my thoughts on how it applies to your career:

1.       Be Targeted and Strategic in Your Approach 

David did not approach Goliath without a plan.  He did his research.  He did not use conventional battle.  He would have lost if he did.  Instead, he identified a vulnerability and used a targeted approach.

I attended Tulane Law School and was in the middle of my class.  I admit to enjoying law school in New Orleans.  The years I was in law school jobs were not plentiful, so everyone was scrambling for clerkships.  Many of my fellow classmates paid services to send their resumes to every law firm in the US.  I sat down and thought about everyone I knew, or my relatives knew and decided to send ONE letter.  I wrote a letter to the Managing Partner of a top firm in Atlanta explaining to him why he should hire me for a clerkship.  He picked up the phone and called me the minute he received the letter and after interviewing me over the phone, offered me a clerkship.  Why?

2.       Send Your Best, Well-Timed Message  

Just as David was careful selecting his stones, it is just as important to spend time crafting the right message to a prospective employer.  Why was he so quick to call me?  I had researched him.  I explained to him how I admired him and his firm and the specific work they were doing.  I referenced the people who we knew in common and offered them as references.  Was that enough?  

David waited forty days before approaching Goliath.  He "iced" him.  He chose the time of his approach carefully for strategic reasons. Similarly, I had done my research.  I knew that this firm was hiring for clerkships and had just landed significant new work.  Many of my classmates were sending resumes to law firms that weren't even hiring.

3.       Know Your Strengths in Relation to Your Audience 

David knew he could defeat Goliath because he knew he was a great sniper (albeit with a sling shot).  He was able to approach with a quiet confidence because he was prepared, had a strategy and had carefully chosen his rocks (message).

Similarly, I had carefully chosen to write this ONE letter to a person who I felt could identify with me.  He was the name partner of a major Atlanta firm.  He was wildly successful, but he was not on Law Review.  From all accounts, it was his skill in the courtroom that had led to his success.  It was by emphasizing my strengths that I felt that HE would find valuable that I captured his attention.

4.       Be Vulnerable and Authentic: It Disarms People

David showed up in a simple tunic.  Don’t pretend to be something you aren’t or pretend to be better than you are.  In my ONE letter, I related just enough to make him curious.  I became relevant, real.  I stood out from the crowd.  I wasn’t just a resume. He became invested in getting to know me and helping me with my career.

5.       Courageous Action is Rewarded 

It is often forgotten that David volunteered to go up against Goliath!  Was he nuts?  No.  He knew his strengths.  He had a strategy.  He stepped forward with confidence.

Whether it is volunteering to take on a role or project, or sending a targeted letter,  don’t wait for your career to happen to you, take courageous action and create the career of your dreams.

6.       Go Big or Go Home        

David did not volunteer for a low profile project.  I did not pursue anything other than exactly where I wanted to be.  Identify your goal and with singular focus, pursue it.  Take advantage of the opportunities to stand in the limelight and swing for the fences, but always be targeted and strategic in your approach, send your best message, know your strengths in relation to your audience, be vulnerable and authentic, step forward with courage and then slay your Goliath!

Carrie Trabue is President of Carrington Legal Search, a retained executive legal search firm with a track record of long term relationships and hires that stick. www.carringtonlegal.com