Is there a connection between the oil spill seeping inexorably across the Gulf of Mexico and the wild gyrations of the stock market last week?  I think there is.  For me, the link is that we human beings have a dangerous tendency to over-reach ourselves only to suffer the consequences.  Our technological prowess enabled us to drill for oil in unfathomable depths of the ocean, but when we hit a snag (admittedly a big one with a rig exploding and eleven people losing their lives), the best and brightest of BP just don’t have the know-how to cap it, and we must watch helplessly as the ominous slick spreads. 

Our intellectual adventurousness also allowed us to build supercomputers that conduct stock market trades at a millionth of a second defying the processing speed of the human brain.  But a system failure can cause havoc sending stock prices, and our retirement funds, into a stomach churning bungee-jump without anyone able to identify the cause or prevent something even scarier from happening next time.

So, as smart as we are, mere mortals make mistakes.

Our friend Nicolas, about whose job search woes I previously wrote, found himself in a difficult situation resulting from his own mistake.  You may remember he was having trouble closing the deal after a series of interviews went sour.  Months went by, and he struggled taking temporary assignments when he could, networking to unearth opportunities and following up diligently wherever able.

On the surface, Nicolas seemed to be doing all right.  He stayed in shape, went out with friends and kept his morale up most of the time.  But Nicolas had a hidden little secret.  He kept on spending.  As one credit card maxed out, he would move to another. Then another.  He sold his apartment and, therefore, did not have to worry about mortgage payments or the risk of foreclosure. But, the rent still had to be paid.  So, he got himself further and further into debt.  The great American de-leveraging that started when the financial crisis broke did not seem to be happening in Nicolas’ world.  He knew he needed to regain some financial order (particularly since he worked in a Finance function), so he started to ring-fence his debts and get things back in control.  But, there were still a couple of delinquent debts.  He knew his credit score might take a hit, but he refused to check it persuading himself that somehow the problem would disappear.

Months went by, and out of the blue, an ideal job opportunity presented itself.  A government organization concerned with financial regulation had an opening that exactly matched his skill sets.  The pay was good, and the office three blocks from his home. He aced his first interview and was invited to the second round.  At that point, the HR representative explained the hiring process included extensive background checks, and Nicolas was thrown into a state of agitation – should he confess to his poor credit history or say nothing and hope it would not be discovered?  He deeply regretted his past lax behavior, but now it was too late.

Although ultimately disqualified from this position, some weeks later, he secured a year-long contract with a good institution.  It is not the perfect job for which he hoped, but it is a step up from what he had been doing for many months.  The new position gives him time to clear up his credit, and he is making a bit more money.  He is managing 20 people as well, which is valuable experience for his career.  He didn’t land the dream job, but he did land!

Key takeaway?

He needed to admit to himself earlier that a prolonged period of un- or underemployment needs some adjustment in behaviors and some unwelcome tightening of the financial belt. Not doing so can come back to bite you.

On the positive side, for the sadder but wiser Nicolas, his perseverance paid off. He is once again on the road toward his destination.

Fredia Woolf , founder of Woolf Consulting, blogs to help people improve their workplace effectiveness and optimize their careers.  As an organizational consultant and leadership coach, she works with clients to increase insight, inspiration and impact. She can be reached at fwoolf@woolfconsulting.com.

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Last updated on March 6th, 2012 at 09:57 pm