Recently, a few job seekers have contacted me about their concerns about the job market being too incestuous, where there seems to be too many of the same people rotating among the same positions at different companies due to their familiarity with the area and their experience in the field.
My response, which took a while to gel in my head, is that if you feel an environment is incestuous, you probably are right; once you have made the decision that you are an outsider, it may make you come across that way. As well, it may be an indicator that you are swimming in the wrong seas when it comes to job search.
The best options for those who may be entering a new environment or new industry are to get connected with a solid recruiter who can give you the insights on the local job market; networking with others to break into the local business environtment; and possibly most importantly, to carry yourself as if you belong.
