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| Facebook: This reads as ri$ky.. I think this beautiful 'black dog' has about as much common sense as my former German-Shepherd Husky named Rebel. |
One meeting is worth more than five hundred sent curriculum vitaes?
Revised today
On Sunday, I met with a member of church leadership after the sermon and service. It was a social and not formal meeting. We had seen each other at the beginning of the service and agreed we would chat after the service. We discussed each other's employment situations presently. I expressed the desire for employment within academic disciplines I am trained in. He quickly stated that he knew an organization that may be looking for someone with my skills and texted them immediately.
Admittedly, there is no guarantee I will receive a job interview from that interaction.
But pondering on that event, my thoughts were that one good meeting with an acquaintance from years ago, that was at least somewhat familiar with me personally and professionally, in my particular case, was probably worth more than me sending out, by email or regular mail, five hundred curriculum vitaes to academic institutions and businesses that do not know me personally.
This concept of having to be known and trusted in a social context has been made even more apparent to me from recent courses I have taken with professional employment recruiters and as well from meetings with these recruiters.
These principles are the same in other social contexts as well.
I think there is a very significant lack of willingness to risk, risk aversion, by most within employment and other social contexts within western society.
The fact so much professional and personal interaction takes place online today, in my view also greatly contributes to risk aversion. Most professional applications require the use of an online application with no personal human contact, in most cases.
By risk, I am meaning reasonable, reasoned out, risk taking, and not foolishness.
Ephesians 5:15-17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Therefore [a]be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 [b]making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Footnotes: Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
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A problem is that humanity is both sinful (see Romans) and finite. Therefore, determining what is wise risk and foolish risk can be difficult.
Since earning my PhD in 2010, I have had few interviews, despite the fact many employers have stated are my impressive qualifications. This has been in the contexts of both religious studies departments and philosophy departments.
Without going on attack mode, which is not my objective here, whatsoever, I reason in our modern western societal context, work fatigue, set social patterns and lazy thinking, are among factors that fuel modern risk aversion.
It seems to me that as human beings are fallen (Genesis, Romans), a more in-depth, careful and measured approach to risk is required in many cases, both professionally and personally.
I have admitted on an archived post on Dr. Russell Norman Murray, that I myself have been guilty of risk aversion, in error by not, in the past, staying at the megachurch I am presently committed to. It seemed easier and better to attend smaller churches where I had friends.
In hindsight, I should have 'gone it alone' in larger social settings. This would allow for more teaching possibilities and social possibilities. It is likely that my undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea, which was far worse at that time, played a part in my decisions (excuse mode, but it is a legitimate proposition).
As a former pastor of mine has stated more than once in sermons (paraphrased): A person has more regrets at sixty years old than at twenty years old, and so on as one grows older.
It seems to me from a biblical perspective, a key prayer is continual requests to make Holy Spirit guided risks in life and to avoid future regrets. In other words, to get it right, the first time and to repent and change when mistakes have been made. Not to just shove things under the carpet...
