By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
“The question isn’t who is going to let me. It’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
Father’s Day: Lessons from Dads That Apply to Your Job Search (and Finding Your Own Way)
Today, we celebrate Father’s Day, a time to honor the men who’ve shaped our lives. As I reflect on this day, I’m struck by how many of the lessons I learned from my own father—and have witnessed countless others imparting—directly apply to the often-challenging world of job searching.
Think about it. What’s one piece of advice many fathers give? Often, it’s about resilience. “Get back on your feet,” they’d say after a stumble. In the job search, rejection is part of the process. It’s not a reflection of your worth, but rather a sign to refine your approach, learn from the experience, and keep going. Just like a good father encourages perseverance, you need to cultivate that same tenacity in your career pursuits.
Another common theme is the importance of preparation. Whether it was meticulously planning a family road trip or ensuring you had your homework done, fathers often instilled the value of being ready. This resonates deeply with the job search. Are you truly prepared for that interview? Have you thoroughly researched the company? Is your resume laser-focused on the roles you’re targeting? Winging it rarely works, in parenting or in your career.
And let’s not forget the guidance on communication. Fathers often teach us how to articulate our needs, listen actively, and treat others with respect. These are foundational skills for networking, interviewing, and building professional relationships. In my years as a recruiter, I’ve seen countless talented individuals miss opportunities simply because they couldn’t effectively communicate their value or connect with the interviewer.
Now, I also recognize that Father’s Day can be a difficult day for some. Not everyone has had a positive or supportive relationship with their father. If that’s your experience, I want to say this: You are not defined by that relationship. The qualities of resilience, preparation, and effective communication aren’t solely inherited; they can be learned and cultivated independently. Look for those qualities in mentors, colleagues, or even figures in the broader world. Take control of your own narrative, be your own advocate, and build your own support system. Your career journey is ultimately yours to shape.
On this Father’s Day, as you celebrate or navigate the day in your own way, remember that you have the strength and ability to drive your own success. Embrace the resilience, preparation, and communication skills you choose to embody, and apply them with intention. They might just be the key to landing your next great opportunity.
Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrate, and strength to those for whom this day holds a different meaning.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
My current services are designed to help people find their next role more quickly than they might otherwise. Whether it is the information I freely share here or elsewhere, the video courses, books and guides I offer inexpensively, the podcast I continue to deliver (launched in November 2010, No BS Job Search Advice Radio has more than 3000 episodes), my YouTube channel, the course presentations I do, or the coaching I continue to do, people need help with finding work and succeeding at it.
People need help. The layoff notices are still coming through the feed. I encourage you to do something simple. Share their posts to your feed without expectation. Share mine for the information may help someone turn a corner and help them land.
Subscribe if you haven’t already. Click the like button. Comment. Do things to help others in need of finding work like tagging people you know when you see a job that may fit them.
Last week, I released new content including:
Build Your Own Dreams https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fSM
15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P
What Hiring Managers Are Doing in First Interviews https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lEO
Managing Layoff Survivor Guilt https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lmR
Job Search Mistakes: Only Looking on LinkedIn and Large Job Boards https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lI0
Employment Situation Summary June 6, 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ncr
How to Get Past the Gatekeeper or Voice Response System https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71V
Interviewing Well https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lFf
The Future of Jobs in 2025 https://youtu.be/nklDXmcjHIE
Don’t Forget to Ask about This on Interviews https://wp.me/p4aIk1-faL
#NEWLinkedInFeature(s) Captured [in] the Wild 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nbO
Count Yourself Aware https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lEO
LinkedIn Mistakes: The Skimpy Profile https://wp.me/p4aIk1-i1
Beware of Scammers During Your Job Search https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mbj
Why Is It Important to Consider Location in a Job Search? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b1P
Should I Accept a LinkedIn Connection Request from a Stranger?https://wp.me/p4aIk1-37A
Work for a Big Company Because of the Stability? NAH!
https://youtu.be/YgeZYvXOxG4
What’s Plan B? A Lesson from Shark Tank https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1I6
No BS Career Advice: June 8, 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ncz
Job Search Hell? Don’t Take It Out on Recruiters https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nc1
Another Job Search Lesson from “The Godfather” https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2LB
Is That Connection Request from a Professional or a Predator? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n4H
Ending Your Interview https://youtu.be/QRzn1mqxRws
The Only Taste of Success Some People Get https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gaX
Finding a Job in the Real World: Job Search fo r Recent Graduates https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ndi
Verify to Connect on LinkedIn? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ndq
Getting Past the No’s https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2tU
Have You Ever Fired Someone? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-38u
Always Be on the Prowl. Always Be Look for a Job. https://youtu.be/kEOx0C3sh_U
Is Your Old Resume Still Alive? 💀 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nd0
How to Get Past the Gatekeeper Part 2 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-73v
Deploy a Job Search Support Squad on LinkedIn https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ndz
You Don’t Have a Lot of Experience With . . . https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6ud
Looking for a Job As a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eJG
In What Way Has College Prepared You for This Job? https://youtu.be/hXy8yXmrAr4
Being More Inclusive of LGBTQ+ Candidates and Employees https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fa8
10 Career Branding Lessons For Today’s Professional https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ikb
A Secret Tactic for Getting More Interviews https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ne6
Give Endorsements to Get Endorsements on LinkedIn https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2Lx
Changing Careers. Changing Career Paths https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gHi
The 7-Day Resume Writing HACK! https://youtu.be/noFEVeHxSfE
A few from other people, too.
5 Practical Ways Job Seekers Must Combat Desperation (podcast)
7 Tactics for Competing as an Older Professional
15 Nerve-racking Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
The skills needed to find a job are different from those needed to do a job. You may be great at what you do, but job hunting, especially during difficult times, is very different than being a good employee.
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Share this. Subscribe if you haven’t already. Click the like button. Comment. Do things to help others in need of finding work.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter*
www.JobSearch.Community
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2007
PS Are you a recruiter or with a search firm with people you cannot help? Message me for information about becoming an affiliate at JobSearch.Community and earn 20% on 4 of the services I offer (not the two lowest cost ones)
