1. Apply for jobs that are never listed…by connecting with extraordinary people from all walks of life.
Most of the really great jobs are filled before companies even think
to post them on Craigslist or other job sites. Overall, the interviewing
process is tedious and if 50 people interview, 49 are going to be
deflated and only one elated. How many times have we interviewed for a
job we knew was not right for us and yet we were still devastated when
we weren’t called back for the next round? It’s like a beauty pageant
gone terribly wrong.
Become friends with people who work in companies you’re interested
in. Enjoy learning about them and supporting them. Don’t be surprised
when they call you up and ask you to join them when a new position opens
up or refer you to an open position at another great company.
Networking opens new doors all the time.
2. Skills always win…yes, even over likability, charisma, and charm.
Develop mastery in your chosen profession so you will continue to
create job opportunities throughout your entire life. Companies will
always need people who can deliver strong results. Great companies hire
good people who are willing to learn and who are not afraid to educate
themselves. There is a wealth of learning available to you – on and off
the Internet.
3. Don’t rely on your résumé…too much.
A résumé is a good first step to get your foot in the door and
describe what you’ve accomplished in your career. But showing is better
than telling. Create a portfolio that represents who you are and what
you stand for, which you can add to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Those are the places where hiring professionals will go to check you
out, anyway.
4. Don’t focus primarily on money…if you’re really good, it will find you.
Discover the work that calls out to you and start doing it. If you’re
just in “the game of work” for the money, title, and illusion of power,
you’ll never feel completely satisfied or fulfilled.
Here’s a great example of someone who keeps money in a healthy
perspective: We know a young man who loved building websites. He loved
it so much he quit school and built them from dawn until late in the
evening just about every day. Each project led to another. He had so
much work that he started hiring “helpers.” Today, he operates a
successful Web development firm and he still builds websites. He hired
“a suit,” as he calls her, to take care of the “biz” so he can continue
to do what he was born to do.
5. Don’t quit your day job…while you are working on discovering what you want to do.
Your time before and after you go to work belongs to you. A company
doesn’t own you; just the time you put into it. Having more than one job
for short periods of time, contrary to popular belief, won’t burn you
out. Worry, stress, and lethargy take a bigger toll in the long run.
Also, if you have a day job you don’t have to worry about failing or
going hungry since you have a steady stream of money coming in.
Eventually, you may need to take the next step and leave your old job
behind in favor of your new one. But until then it’s nice to have a
safety net. Be grateful for that net and don’t shortchange it.
6. Demonstrate genuine gratitude in your current position…no matter where you are working.
Gratitude is an excellent trait to master. Most people enjoy working
with grateful, humble, genuine people who give their all. Do the
absolute best you can and if you’ve been slacking a bit, go the extra
mile to build better habits before seeking that dream job.
Keep in mind that happiness generally has little to do with a job.
Happiness is a choice. Neither your boss nor your company can make you
happy. One of the happiest people I know works at a grocery store. She
brings joy with her to the job. She always has something kind to say to
everyone waiting in line to check out.
7. Get off social media and back in the game of work…because social media is a tool, not a job.
Once you upload your credentials, get back out into the real world.
Limit your time on social media to a few minutes a day at specified
times, such as before going to work, during your lunch break, or at home
in the evening. Social media isn’t a job, it’s a tool. A contractor
doesn’t live for his hammer. He or she puts it to work building things.
“You will never do anything in this world without COURAGE. It is the
greatest quality of the mind next to honor,” said Aristotle.
We can use technology to remotely learn about companies and jobs. Our
question…could we be doing more? Is it time to create a new way to find
the right job and build a meaningful career? “Never be limited by other
people’s limited imaginations,” said Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African
American female astronaut.
If you love writing – write.
If you love designing beautiful spaces – design away.
If you want to build a software app – go ahead!
The choice is ultimately yours. Don’t waste your time, regardless of
where you are working. Focus it and manage it wisely because it’s more
important than money. It’s one thing you can never get back, replace, or
buy more of.
Pause for a moment and take a long look at your hands. What is the
work they are meant to do? Part of the joy of living is finding that
out. Enjoy the journey and keep us posted.
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