Clamor in the East, Attack in the West

Strategy 6

In any battle the element of surprise can provide an overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint.

Modern Example

Other than your usual assortment of enemies in the workplace, you must beware of the human resources personnel. These people have no other agenda than serving as spies for the employer. Since they are a cost, they have to justify their existence by digging up the goods on everyone else. A jobfairy.com best practice is that once you get hired at a company, you then set up a search on the major job boards, in addition to the usual one, that will tell you if your new company is doing any hiring - have it delivered daily. Make it across the entire country, not just your local region, if your company is not too big. One, you want to know if you are going to be replaced. Moreover, two, you want to know if your company is really having hiring freezes or not. Keeping a current version of your resume out there that does not have your current company's name on it can also prove informative. This makes use of the element of surprise. The company has no way of knowing you have done this. Having all your company's current software packages in that no-company-name version of your resume makes you more likely to be called in case they are posting your position to recruiters but not to the major job boards. In addition, although companies monitor your phone calls and e-mail from day one, they would be unlikely to suspect that you would not trust them from day one either. Never bring up your surveillance activities or voice anything but the utmost contentment with your position. Then leave for that better job as soon as you smell something happening.