04-17-2008, 10:58 AM
Just how does one go about landing the job you want? Does a person just happen to be in the right place at the right time and falls into a great job? There is not majic forumula but the following tips may be helpful.
- Pray - for the Christian, your work is an extension of who God created you to be. And God did not create you to be miserable! Ask God to guide you.
- Dream - Spend time, daily, letting your mind roam. what would an ideal job look like? what would you do if money was no concern? What do other people affirm as your talents or skills? Dreaming can be a great way to generate some energy for the job search (or job preparation).
- Prepare - When you have a sense of what types of work would "fit" you, write down a strategy of how to get there. It may include some extra training or education. Or it may be as simple as writing a new resume, focusing on presenting your strengths and passions as you list your experience. If you don't have a resume, write one or get someone to help you write one. There are online sources or ask for help at a career counseling center.
- Search - Search large job websites, nice websites, and classifieds in the local paper (these are usually online), and networks of friends, family, and teachers. Don't get discouraged with the search. It's part of the process and will help you discover where you would like to work and where you would not.
- Sell your skills. You may not see yourself as a salesperson. and you don't have to be. But you do have to believe in your ability to benefit a prospective employer. And you need to communicate that. So learn about the company (or church) where you're applying. Dress to match their work environment when you go for an interview. Make eye contact with the interviewer, and offer a firm handshake. Send a thank you note or email immediately after the interview. Follow up with a telephone call if you don't hear back within a few days.
- Pray - Did I already say that? For Christians, our lives are grounded not in ourselves, but in our relationship with the God who created us with specific interests and abilities. The One who loves us enough to lead us to places where our uniqueness matches our work, so that our work becomes purposeful work.
So keep dreaming, keep preparing, keep searching, and keep selling your skills. But your best strategy may be to begin and end and surround all of it with prayer. Because there is One who cares even more about your job satisfaction than you do.
by Juli Nelson in The Source Spring 2008
- Pray - for the Christian, your work is an extension of who God created you to be. And God did not create you to be miserable! Ask God to guide you.
- Dream - Spend time, daily, letting your mind roam. what would an ideal job look like? what would you do if money was no concern? What do other people affirm as your talents or skills? Dreaming can be a great way to generate some energy for the job search (or job preparation).
- Prepare - When you have a sense of what types of work would "fit" you, write down a strategy of how to get there. It may include some extra training or education. Or it may be as simple as writing a new resume, focusing on presenting your strengths and passions as you list your experience. If you don't have a resume, write one or get someone to help you write one. There are online sources or ask for help at a career counseling center.
- Search - Search large job websites, nice websites, and classifieds in the local paper (these are usually online), and networks of friends, family, and teachers. Don't get discouraged with the search. It's part of the process and will help you discover where you would like to work and where you would not.
- Sell your skills. You may not see yourself as a salesperson. and you don't have to be. But you do have to believe in your ability to benefit a prospective employer. And you need to communicate that. So learn about the company (or church) where you're applying. Dress to match their work environment when you go for an interview. Make eye contact with the interviewer, and offer a firm handshake. Send a thank you note or email immediately after the interview. Follow up with a telephone call if you don't hear back within a few days.
- Pray - Did I already say that? For Christians, our lives are grounded not in ourselves, but in our relationship with the God who created us with specific interests and abilities. The One who loves us enough to lead us to places where our uniqueness matches our work, so that our work becomes purposeful work.
So keep dreaming, keep preparing, keep searching, and keep selling your skills. But your best strategy may be to begin and end and surround all of it with prayer. Because there is One who cares even more about your job satisfaction than you do.
by Juli Nelson in The Source Spring 2008