I've been dealing with systems lately.  One series of relationships stop when I lose my job and now I scurry to establish new relationships.  In a world of merit-based opportunities with many steps to reach the end.  The specifics don't matter because the process reveals more about the way through life transitions. 

You can find the way in many places, but for employment:

First, you submit some form of interest.  Whether, this is emailing a resume or writing an essay- it's the introduction.

Second, you wait for a follow up.  Some people disagree about negotiating this position of the process.  My friend says call them after a day or two.  Bug them because they'll remember your name and probably hire you.  They see you want to do the job. 
I'm not sold on his opinion.

Third, you meet, shake hands and talk about your goals in terms of somebody else's objectives.

Fourth, this is where the process can go a couple of ways.  Probably most corrupt, the person with the authority to offer the job may already know who has the job before the interviews are complete.  There's many variations: it's my cousin, it's my friend, it's my lover, etc.  On the honest side, candidates are considered for their potential rather than appearances.

Fifth, you may be offered the job at this point or you may have yet another opportunity to discuss your future goals in terms of the group's objectives (in more detail and with more passion this time.)

Sixth, you may have to pass some tests.  Waiting for results can be a drag.

Seventh, you keep moving forward because that's all you can do.

I've found time to tear up my front yard.  It's nice having that kind of time.  A three-week project, 11 tons of rock, a shovel and wheelbarrow; making it happen.  I met neighbors I'd never talked to in six years.  I became a site of curiosity in the neighborhood.

People would sit in front of their house and just watch as I moved earth.  96 hours total.  New sprinklers, grass and rock.  Two big beautiful trees.  I've seen them for six years, but I didn't realize how nice they are in my front yard.  In the afternoon, the sun was bright and a breeze would blow.  That spot in my yard at that time is beautiful. 

I never noticed that before.

I'd also never seen so many people begin working on their yards at once until I was about a week into my project.  I don't know if my example inspired others to keep up or served as a reminder we don't need someone else to do what we could if we simply got up off of the couch.