Skip to main content

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.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I make mistakes (and I bounce back)

I hate making mistakes.  I love my luxurious fantasy of perfection.  And today my humanity, my imperfection shone through fiery.  I hung in there and cleaned it up. I've learned, you just tell people you screwed up.  Say how you're going to fix it immediately, and how you're protecting it from happening going forward.  It matters little whether anybody else had anything to do with it.  Throw no one under the bus, however, you may want to bring them in on the effect the error had and get their buy in for the proactive solution for future transactions. Truth is, things move so fast that especially with transactional work, there are bound to be errors now and then.  The time it takes to be perfect would result in paralysis.  It's that magical balance between getting it done (and maybe having to beg forgiveness) and taking so long to deliver that by the time you do deliver, it's too late to be of any use (especially since you've now teed off ...
3 comments
Read more

I'm Happy

I'm so happy that I can't stop crying--Sting. These are beautiful days.  It's amazing how absolutely gorgeous Spring is in New York City.  The light alone streaming through the delicious apple green trees makes everyone sparkly. I called my Mom today, on a pause riding my bicycle down the West Side Highway bike path.  I looked at the Hudson, choppy with the wind bursting with joy.  I say joy, though I have no idea if rivers experience joy as they approach salty water.  I was joyful and projected it on the cresting water, white with air. My mother is happy.  She has a deep faith which she passed on to me.  It's sustained me and kept me strong in the face of the impossible.  We said prayers for each other on the phone.  She's got a new adventure coming up and I have one too: so we held faith for each other that something bigger than both of us would guide us.  We reflected on the fact that we as a family have been through many challe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Draft your Dream Job

Every once in a while, just for kicks, take a blank piece of paper and write out your ideal next job. Keep all the things you do now that you love, drop the things you're less good at or have mastered and want to let go, and fill the remaining space with stretch tasks and goals. Then write out the names of people who have your ideal job. Make a plan to reach out to them and have a 15 to 20 minute coffee break with them over the next month. Find out what it would take for you to get to the next job that's right for you. Do you need to ask for a stretch assignment? Would you be willing to make some time outside work hours to work on a related project with a mentor? Maybe do some volunteering in line with the new vision work? I suggest that you create a plan and list the milestones. It will amazing you in December how much closer you are to your vision, if you're just a little deliberate about it. Once you've created a plan for yourself, ask a friend to keep you acco...
Post a Comment
Read more