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Step 2--Industry & Function--Ideal Job Description

So can you believe it? I have the treasured scheduled LIVE (vs phone screen) interview (which are now called "chats") on Monday. You know what that means: a day of company research. That's down the line in the process. I just know you'd want to do a happy dance by YOUR computer to celebrate with me. So far (since this all started November 4, 2009) it's been ONE phone screening and now one chat APPOINTMENT (which could get cancelled at any moment so I'm just saying it's scheduled.) Never count unhatched chickens. And, I'm going to officially start counting the number of positions I've applied to starting with the approximate FORTY.

Final personal note for today: lots of people around me think I should get a job soon. This is to track the story and see just how "soon" soon is, and keep up my spirits. Seriously Julie and Julia inspired.

OK, step 2:
INDUSTRY/FUNCTION

So now that you've written out your seven stories and you've seen a pattern that points to your passion, talents and the things you've done that demonstrate those, you're ready to map that onto reality.

What industry: medicine, law, entertainment, public service, government would be an ideal fit with your passions and talent? And given your favorite skillsets, what would be a good function for you? Think: Human Resources, Sales, Finance, Marketing, Compliance, Safety, Online (which now has several subcategories: design, video content production, sales...).

Start also to refine whether this would be with a small company or a large company, hierarchical or matrix, start up or mature business...The idea is to identify the ideal environment where you would thrive.

This is hard for most of us, since we immediately want to go straight for the job listings and start searching. The sad news outlined thoughtfully in "What Color is Your Parachute" by Bolles, is that combing the job listings and applying randomly to the latest postings is about the worst way you could go at your job hunt. Postings are still a part of the toolkit and we'll get to them. For now really work on the first two steps and get really good and clear about the ideal perfect place for you and the job description that will make you WANT to get out of bed on Mondays. Yes, at the tail end of a jobless recovery recession, we all need to be realistic. HOWEVER, you shoot yourself AND your potential employer if all you're doing is twisting yourself into some sort of I-can-do-anything employee. Because, Blanche, that's a lie.

Your ideal job is the place you start. From there, you can make some adjustments.

OK, go. And remember, life is more fun with a buddy. So pick one.

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