More Advice

The next couple of months will be important for most of us. We have to navigate our way into new jobs. The stakes are high, the process will be fast when it eventually arrives, advice is thin on the ground, we are nervous about whom to trust, and it is a new experience for many. My previous blog on this subject has proved very popular, so here is a sequel, in the form of 10 tips to help you win in the next two months. They are personal advice and not official. Take what you like and ignore the rest, some parts may be irrelevant or plain wrong for you. Don’t panic – most of us will land in a similar place to where we started. But don’t be complacent and assume that either.

Focus your aim. This MOR round will not be normal. Imagine being on a panel. You might be placing 12 jobs in one day. Each may have 20 applicants. That is an average of 2 minutes discussion per applicant. You have 5 bullets. Use them, don’t spray them about! You should urgently pinpoint 3-4 jobs where you feel you have a realistic chance, and focus all your effort of those. As soon as you can, your targets should be tightly defined, specific jobs with identified line managers not mere interest areas. Be pragmatic – in this situation, managers will be conservative and not take wild risks, so if you would be a “brave” appointment for a target job, then abandon it and refocus where you would be a safer bet.
Who me, why me? For your targeted jobs, maximize your chance. Network – as a rule, assume that if none of a selection panel know you and your talents well, you won’t get the job, no matter how brilliant the prose in your application. Keep applications short, simple, factual. In short sentences, convey why are you the best fit for your target job. That visual basic course you did in 1996 probably isn’t going to make the difference.
Leave your ego at the gate. This is no time to whine on about what your deserve, what you think is fair or unfair, where you would feel insulted to work (or for whom), or how you expect to be treated. You might end up explaining it to the person at the job centre if you do, with all the time in the world to polish that ego. Focus on facts not entitlements. Play the game to the rules as defined not your own fantasy rules. And be ready to be a good loser as well, as that way you’ll recover from setbacks more quickly and still fight a good game in the next round.
Be clear what you won’t accept. Do bear in mind rule 3, make no threat you will not carry out, and know which of a bad job and no job is your preference. It is a good idea to explore what your best alternative outside Shell really is. But then if you know full well which terms and conditions you will not accept, write it clearly on your application, and inform potential line managers as well. It will make it simpler later. If you are a British expat with six kids in the BSN, you can’t afford to be localized without education support. So say so, now.
Explore deals carefully, work between the cracks. This is the hardest tip and has many angles. First, don’t take comfort in weak platitudes. If you ask someone if you are a good person, it is too easy for them to just say yes. If you ask whether you are a realistic candidate with a substantial chance of a particular job, you will get more valuable coaching. Then, be aware that all leaders have to use standard disclaimers now and can’t create precedents, for example in offering packages or accepting special cases or even guaranteeing you a position (distrust anyone who says that). But within these boundaries, there is room to explore, if you have a line manager or advisor you feel you can be fully open with. They are human too and will understand your situation. They have a complicated jigsaw puzzle in front of them and will want to try to simplify it by making informal understandings. Think about where the flexibility might be, what you can do to make their life easier while achieving your own goals. Be ready to keep it ambiguous if that is all that is available.
Don’t ignore your development. The factors you would normally rate as important, such as grade progression, opportunity to learn, fit of job to long-term path, etc, remain important. So long as you are pragmatic, you should make sure these are part of your criteria, your applications, and your discussions with future line managers. You might choose not to make a promotion a deal breaker, but it is still worth having (and writing up) a discussion about criteria for promotion mid posting.
Read and re-read the rules, ignore the gossip. Don’t just assume that you know how these things work or that the guy in the restaurant knows what he is talking about. This is a fast changing environment with a lot of rubbish flying around. The rules are all on the web, clearly articulated. Your line manager can elaborate if necessary. Don’t assume what you read in August is still current, stay up to date.
Ask, and help others. This is no time for hiding in the corner. It may be embarrassing, but asking and learning now is better than losing later. You’ll be surprised that others are as lost as you are and only too pleased to talk. This applies to bosses and junior staff as well as peers. Sharing a problem makes it seem easier, even if it only clarifies your own thoughts. Most people love to help. If you give help, you will receive it too.
Keep things in perspective. This is important and hard, but don’t lose sight of things that are even more important. Smiling. Friendship. Integrity. Health. This will also help you to stay positive and effective.
Don’t forget the customer. Keep delivering. It will keep you sane. It will keep you effective too, sharp in your engagements and ready for a fast start later. It may be noticed by a selection panel and land you a great job. And it will help Shell retain its value through this turmoil.