By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be fish. (Quote by Ovid)

So often life offers us just what we need if we are willing to do the ordinary in new ways, creating extraordinary experiences.

Clint Eastwood learned this kind of wisdom from his father.  It served him well. Here is a quote from an interview with Clint in the “Costco Connection” magazine:

“When I was a kid, I remember going out looking for jobs, and I would ask him how I could figure out much I would make. He told me to not worry about that, tell them what I could do for them and that I wanted to learn everything about their business and become a great asset to the company. It’s an old fashioned, Mark Twain approach: Show them what you can do. The rest will take care of itself. Not many people live by those words today. I was fortunate to be raised in that era.”

Clint Eastwood followed this advice in his career when he wanted to direct a movie. He landed the job by offering to work free – this launched his directing career. Not only was this a great move, this was casting his hook in a pool and this time where others least expected there was success…his! He showed them what he could do.

You may be thinking, well that is okay for a young guy, just starting out…however, the great news is that Clint did this again, much later. He wanted to direct the movie Mystic River and ran into so much opposition. He again, offered to work free because he really wanted to do the film. He ended up receiving the minimum Directors Guild pay, and a percentage, so if the film did well, he would come out OK, and if not he said he would just go on to the next film.

Great advice if you ask me. Do you have a favorite company, where you would love to land a position? Consider taking Clint’s experience and his Dad’s advice to heart. It worked for Clint Eastwood, why not you? Consider casting your hook in the pool of your choice. Consider volunteering your expertise for a time and work free. Show them what you can do, while learning the ropes from the inside. Consider taking an entry-level position, gain insights into the company and grow your expertise. “Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be fish. (Ovid)”

Consider taking full charge of your career and consider Clint Eastwood’s masterful approach to achieving the job you want and reach your long term goals, while learning along the way and expanding your knowledge of the company and growing your skills and abilities. What could be better than that!

You may even land a job more quickly than others who take the standard job search path. We wish you the best in your career development. Remember to give yourself your best shot when you interview. Present to your potential new employer what you can do for them – make sure your resume, cover letter and other job search documents make you stand out from the crowd and are in expert form! Give yourself the gift of the best!

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call him at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters of Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com