How to Increase Your Career Opportunities: Serendipity or Exposure?
How to Increase Your Career Opportunities: Serendipity or Exposure?
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It's all about who you know.” But how much of career success really comes down to connections, and how much is just sheer luck or serendipity? You might think it's all about getting lucky, but the science and research around career growth shows a very different picture. Spoiler alert: the real answer lies somewhere in between.
In this blog post, we’re going to break down how you can actually increase your chances of landing career opportunities by using a mix of intentional exposure, some clever strategies, and even a little bit of good old-fashioned luck.
The Power of Exposure: Playing the Numbers Game
Let’s start with a simple idea from probability theory. Think of career opportunities like a series of dice rolls. If you don’t roll the dice, you can’t win. But here’s the kicker: the more times you roll the dice (i.e., the more opportunities you put yourself into), the better your chances of landing a big one.
Basic probability tells us that the more exposure you get to opportunities, the higher the likelihood that one will lead to something amazing. If you're someone who’s always putting yourself out there, attending events, or even just making new connections, your chances of a career breakthrough increase massively.
It’s like playing the odds. The more you increase the number of opportunities (whether it’s job applications, networking events, or new projects), the higher your chances of success. And if you follow the multiplicative increase rule, every new opportunity compounds on top of the last one. For example, attending more events doesn't just give you more chances to meet the right people—it also builds up your experience, your portfolio, and your confidence.
The Compound Effect: Building Opportunities One Step at a Time
Now, if you’ve read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, you’ll know that small, consistent actions add up to massive results over time. In the world of career development, this means that every time you meet someone new or learn a new skill, it compounds. These small actions stack up and open more doors over time.
The concept here is compound probability. It’s not just about getting lucky once. It’s about putting in the work and getting lucky more often. And research backs this up. A 2007 study by Social Networks found that weak ties—those acquaintances you know through others—are more valuable than close friends when it comes to finding job opportunities. Weak ties expose you to new networks, new opportunities, and new people. It’s all about how you build and expand your network. Each new connection compounds and increases the likelihood that one of them will lead to a career-changing opportunity.
Serendipity: The Role of Luck
Okay, we can’t deny it—luck does play a role. But, it’s important to note that serendipity isn’t something you can just wait for. In fact, research from Richard Wiseman, in his book The Luck Factor, shows that “lucky” people actually increase their chances of luck by staying open to new opportunities and constantly putting themselves in situations where they might get lucky. So it’s not about waiting for something magical to happen—it’s about creating the conditions where something magical could happen.
As Wiseman’s research shows, the more open you are to new experiences, and the more people you meet, the more likely you are to experience those “lucky” breaks. It’s about being in the right place at the right time—and, crucially, being ready to take action when that moment presents itself.
How to Increase Your Exposure and Opportunities
So, how can you stack the deck in your favor and give yourself a shot at those serendipitous moments? Here are some practical tips:
1. Network with Intention
It’s easy to get stuck in your bubble, talking to the same people every day. But to increase your chances of career opportunities, you need to expand your network. The key is not just knowing a lot of people, but knowing the right people. As Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha say in The Start-Up of You, your career is like a startup: you have to constantly adapt, learn, and build connections that keep you moving forward.
Remember: weak ties matter. If you’re only connecting with your closest friends, you’re missing out on potentially life-changing opportunities.
2. Keep Learning and Developing New Skills
This is a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning: the more skills you have, the more valuable you become. People often say luck favors the prepared, and that’s true. If you’re constantly learning and leveling up, you’ll be ready to jump at any opportunity that comes your way.
And hey, Mindset by Carol Dweck teaches us that having a growth mindset is key. If you’re always improving yourself, it not only gives you more to offer, but it also opens up new areas for growth and new opportunities.
3. Do Side Projects
Side projects, side hustles, freelancing—whatever you want to call it—these are amazing ways to diversify your experience and expand your network. They show that you’re proactive and that you’re willing to put in the extra work. More importantly, side projects often lead to unexpected opportunities. Whether it's a freelance gig, a collaboration, or just meeting new people, side projects expand your horizons and increase your chances of finding your next big thing.
4. Put Yourself Out There
You have to be visible. This might feel uncomfortable at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. Whether it’s sharing your thoughts on LinkedIn, starting a blog, or just attending more events, getting yourself out there increases your exposure and builds up that compound effect we talked about earlier. You never know who will see your post or hear about you from someone else—and boom, the next thing you know, you’ve got an opportunity in your lap.
5. Create Opportunities
Instead of just waiting for the perfect opportunity to come to you, why not create your own? If you see a gap in your industry or an area where you could add value, why not go for it? This is what entrepreneurs do every day. They create their own opportunities, and while it’s a bit more risk-taking, it can also lead to huge rewards.
6. Be Open to Serendipity
Finally, always be open to the unexpected. Sometimes opportunities come out of nowhere, and they might not look like what you expected. It could be a random conversation at a networking event or an offhand comment that leads to a big break. By staying open and being ready to take action when an opportunity presents itself, you increase your chances of having one of those "lucky" moments.
Conclusion: It’s Both Serendipity and Exposure
So, is it luck, or is it exposure? The truth is, it’s both. Serendipity does play a role, but you can increase your chances of experiencing luck by actively seeking out opportunities. By networking intentionally, learning new skills, doing side projects, and creating your own opportunities, you’re setting yourself up for those lucky breaks.
Remember: career growth is not about waiting for things to fall into your lap. It’s about stacking the odds in your favor, and the more you do this, the better your chances of success.
Let me know in the comments: how have you increased your chances of career success? What’s worked for you?
References:
The Start-Up of You by Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman
Mindset by Carol Dweck
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
“The Strength of Weak Ties” by Mark Granovetter, American Journal of Sociology, 1973
