The game of chess is, above all else, a game of strategy. The chessboard is visible to both players, and each player is aware of the plethora of moves that their opponent can make. In game theory (and economics) this is known as perfect information. In contrast, the game of poker is an example of imperfect information, because the cards held by the opponent are hidden and so the available information about the next move is unknown.
Perfect information is also different than complete information. Complete information is when all players have access to all information, but the outcome may still be unknown. For example, a player may not know the exact outcome of a dice roll, but they know the probabilities associated with each possible outcome.
If we approach searching for a job as a game strategy, it is very clearly in the realm of imperfect information. Job searchers have generally very little information to go on from a given job posting. Some of this hidden information includes:
Who was in the position before, and why did they leave, or is it a new position?
How many others are applying for the position? What does the competition look like?
What is the organizational culture like?
Aside from what is on the job description, what is the employer looking for in the candidate?
The good news is that much of this information can be discovered through research, either online, through personal and professional networks, or by other means. As I mentioned in the previous post, a potential employer is looking at your resume, but their secondary source is any information they can glean from the internet. You'll want to level the playing field by doing the same. In addition to the company website, you have to do a basic Google search. You might find news articles that reveal troubling issues with the organization or its leadership. With a little effort you can find out information about staffing, budget size, and so forth. Importantly you may find out who was in the position beforehand or whether the position is new.
If you haven't developed your network of peers and professionals, you should be getting into that. It's a small industry, and chances are someone knows someone who knows someone. That old saw about six degrees of separation is true, and what's more, it doesn't necessarily mean six people apart. According to Malcom Gladwell:
"Six degrees of separation doesn't mean that everyone is linked to everyone else in just six steps. It means that a very small number of people are linked to everyone else in a few steps, and the rest of us are linked to the world through those special few."*
Finally, as you think about approaching your search with a game theory point of view, you should think about how you want to play the game before the game begins. Many people are very passive in their job search strategy: they see a job listing, and only then do they start the process of applying, researching, and hopefully interviewing. That approach ensures that you are left with the greatest amount of imperfect information. The best way to get a job is when you're not looking for a job. Don't just look for job openings, keep track of positions recently filled. Build a list of resources (available on the member section of my site). Go about the process of learning when and how people move within the industry, including the job they left behind. It reminds me of that scene from When Harry met Sally:
Sally: At least I got the apartment.
Harry: That's what everyone says. But, really, what's so hard about finding an apartment? What you do is look in the obituary section. You see who died, find out where they lived, and tip the doorman. What they could do to make it easier is combine the two. You know, Mr. Kline died yesterday, leaving behind a wife, two children, and a spacious three bedroom apartment with a wood burning fireplace.
In the game of chess the goal is to give yourself an edge over your opponent, notably in your ability to anticipate their next move. Typically this involves thinking through the most likely moves and how you would respond. In the realm of job searches, any means by which you can move from an imperfect to a perfect strategy will give you that edge. Make your move before it's your turn.
* Gladwell, Malcom. The Tipping Point: How little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Boston: Back Bay Books, 2002.