Image originally published on deadspin.com
Zack Hample is many things: a published writer, the proud owner of a 250 pound rubberband ball, and a classic video game buff. But, he’s most famous for his extensive collection of baseballs he’s caught at Major League games. Hample has caught more than 9,000 baseballs over the past 26 years and shows no signs of stopping. Clearly, he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. Here are a few qualities that Zack exhibits that will help you get ahead in your job search:
Consistency
Zack is consistent in his attendance to games. If he didn’t go to every game, he wouldn’t have caught any home runs at all! Zack stays alert at every game, ready to catch any balls that come his way. By giving a consistent effort, Zack saw a steady increase in the size of his game ball collection until it numbered in the thousands. Likewise, you need to give a consistent effort in searching for a job and preparing for your interviews. Consistency in effort leads to consistency in results!
Timing
Zack understands that baseball is primarily a numbers game. Certain batters swinging against certain pitchers will hit the ball into certain places. Zack knows this and places himself in the seats where he is most likely to catch a ball. Another way of describe timing is being in the right place at the right time. A big part of the job search is placing yourself in the right place in the right time. You need to go somewhere where you will be noticed. Career fairs, networking events, and industry meetings are all good spots to put yourself in the right place at the right time in front of the right people.
Diligence
A cousin of consistency, diligence is another way of saying “not giving up.” Zack Hample is a shining beacon of diligence. Do you think he caught his first ball and then went on a never-ending streak of catches? Chances are, there were many games where he didn’t catch anything at all! But he kept showing up. Kept putting himself in the best spots. Kept giving a consistent effort every game. And just like Zack, you need diligence in your job search. You can’t be discouraged when things don’t go your way. You need to keep sending out applications, keep putting yourself in the right place at the right time, and keep the quality of your materials consistent across the board. Diligence is the rock on which every success is built.
So there you have it: a few lessons from Zack Hample’s success that can help you get ahead in your job search. If you want to have your job search firing on all cylinders, schedule an appointment with the experts at Aced My Interview. Zack himself has given us a glowing endorsement:
