Job Search Tactics: Speed is Life

Are you soaring at Mach 1 in your job search, or stuck in the hangar?

In a jet fighter, speed is everything. It improves maneuverability, allows faster target engagement, and it can be “converted” to a higher altitude for better situational awareness of the battlefield. Speed is also essential when aborting a mission or avoiding a formidable threat.

That’s why we have a saying in the jet fighter community: Speed is life.

Those three simple words took on a deadly new meaning for me, my squadron and a group of engineer in 1999 – and taught me a vital lesson.

In April 1999, my wingmen and I were in a daily full-fledged air-to-ground battle with the corrupt regime of Slobodan Milosevic during Operation Allied Force. The enemy forces in Serbia had formidable surface-to-air weapons and their radar systems were doing a very effective job at tracking our aircraft. They even shot a few fighters down.

Our mission in the 79th Fighter Squadron: track and destroy these enemy radar sites using the HARM Targeting System (HTS) in conjunction with the HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile). Both systems were built by the defense contracting company Raytheon. Initially, our squadron was very effective at eliminating the enemy sites, but after just a few weeks they were able to jam and degrade our targeting systems. Our mission effectiveness dropped rapidly. It was a do-or-die situation and we needed help…fast.

We called Raytheon and explained our dangerous predicament. In just a few days, their engineers were on base and briefing us on a revised plan to defeat the threat. I’ll never forget the site in our huge, secure, fortified hangar -- three engineers in khaki pants and buttoned down shirts briefing more than 100 pilots in sweaty flights suits.

They asked questions and then listened. They went back to the drawing board and worked on a solution. Within a day, we had upgraded software for the

HTS and HARM loaded into the F-16s’ computers. We were mission ready.

Raytheon was living the concept of “speed is life.” When we asked them for help, they didn’t reply, “Thanks for the feedback guys. We’ll get back to you in a few weeks.” They knew lives were on the line. Their sense of urgency and commitment to serving us -- the customers -- drastically improved our mission effectiveness and possibly even saved lives.

In this highly competitive job market saturated with candidates and minimal job opportunities, you can learn a thing or two from a great company like Raytheon. You need to put timing and speed to work for you in order to gain a competitive advantage in capturing the attention a hiring manager.

Here are a few “speed wingtips”:

Get timely intel on targets. Keep your “personal radar” constantly sweeping for qualified job leads. You need to use every available resource to keep you abreast of new job openings – social media (like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook), networking events, tips from friends and family, information from industry publications, and any other sources you can tap into.
Connect – now. If a job lead comes in, be prepared to take the call. If not, reconnect with the caller on the same day at all costs. Return voicemails as soon as you can. When you see a target of opportunity on the web, paper, or through a referral source, don’t wait to engage it. Pick up the phone, write a personal letter, and/or send a crisp, targeted e-mail immediately. Your competition is often only one click or call away from defeating you.
On time, on target. Watch your timing – always arrive for appointments on time or a few minutes early. It gives you time to calm your mind and run through your mental checklist of information about the company and yourself. Leave enough time to account for getting lost en route, finding parking, dealing with traffic, etc. Make sure you have the cell phone and e-mail of who you’re meeting available. A quick e-mail/call while stopped at a traffic light
Know yourself. Don’t waste time in the interview trying to make up answers or tap dance around lack of knowledge. If you don’t know the answer to a question, “I don’t know” is a perfectly good answer. But follow it up with “I’ll find out.” Do your due diligence, and get back to the interviewer as fast as possible. Then quickly move onto what you do know and the value you can bring to the company.
Quick mission follow up. Send a thank you card out right away (hand written and hand addressed) to the interviewer. Did you get the interview with help from someone in your network? Be sure to send a thank you to that person as well. (Hint: Once you get the job, be sure to thank anyone who gives you a reference – people want to know that their help was useful.)

In a competitive job market, speed is indeed life. And while your life may not be on the line, your lifestyle is. Like Raytheon, go above and beyond to demonstrate how you are different from the rest of the competition. When you do, you’ll gain loyalty, trust, and yes…maybe even a job.

For more job hunting advice, visit Military.com's Careers Channel.