CBS MoneyWatch.com reported yesterday that the rules of the American workplace are changing. Businesses and employees alike are becoming more fluid and creative:

"As companies scramble for a footing, they’re reinventing themselves to become more flexible, more creative, and better connected. And that’s exactly what you should be doing to move forward in the new American workplace. In this coming decade, initiative will be king and relationships will rule; your ability to adapt will mean the difference between career success and failure."

The article lists the ways in which employees are adopting new strategies to excel in their roles in the workplace, like carving out a niche for yourself, relying on a professional network to complete tasks, participating in social networks, and taking more risks. But while reading the article, I realized that all of these tactics for career success could - and should - be incorporated into any job seeker's plan of action.

The best tip that can be applied to today's job search? Tip number 1: You Write Your Own Job Description. The article states that employees need to carve out their own role at work, rather than relying on a job description. I think that job seekers need to adopt this mindset. While searching for jobs, the job description posted to a job board, a niche site, or even a company's career site should not be the deciding factor of whether or not you think you want to be considered for the position. Job seekers should realize that job descriptions may no longer be accurate representations of your total responsibilities in any particular role. Employees today wear many different hats, no matter their title. So even if you think a job description is bland and not exactly what you are looking for, you may want to give the opportunity a shot because you will be able to "write your own job description," and take on new projects and responsibilities that interest you. This way, you expand your career horizons and can broaden your job search net. Finding a job in this economy has partially become a numbers game, and the more opportunities you are considered for, the more likely you will be hired. 

Readers, have any of you been considered for and accepted a role that, at first, does not completely interest you but you later enjoy?