To Thyself Be True

By Cindy Gordon

Whether starting out in the workforce or being a seasoned worker seeking a new opportunity, today’s job market is tougher than ever before.  The 2012 Candidate Behaviour Study by Career Builder found that 74% of those surveyed are either actively looking for work or would be interested in new opportunities.  With this type of competition, how do you stand out from the crowd?

Know what you’re looking for

I speak to many people who are looking for a new job or business opportunity and when I ask what specifically they’re looking for they say “I’m keeping my options open.”  This vagueness tells me they don’t know what they want to do, what they’re passionate about or how they want to contribute to a business.  When job opportunities come your way, are you mentally in the right place to properly assess them?  How can friends and family help you find new work if they don’t know what you’re looking for.

Start by looking within

Many people who are not happy with their work either chose the profession because there were job openings in the industry making the position easy to get, or because the salary or perks were good.  Time and time again we see that money and perks are not enough to keep employees engaged and motivated.  The right job for a person has a link between the responsibilities and their heart and soul.   When considering potential job or career paths ask yourself these questions:

·         Why was I put on this earth?

·         What is my life’s mission?

·         How do I want to make a difference in someone’s life?

·         How can I contribute to my community?

·         What’s important to me?

·         What fills my soul?

It is the answers to these types of questions that will help you focus in on the right career path.
 

Don’t wait for the phone to ring

Once you’ve narrowed down what specifically you want to do and understand how it would be meaningful to you, start spreading the word.  Share your message with everyone you know.  Speak from your heart as this will move them to want to help you.  Research organizations and companies that are in alignment with what you want to do and create a compelling pitch on how your skills, strengths and passion will add value to their business and clients.

Your time as come to stand out from the crowd.  You were meant to shine and be brilliant.  Go to it!

Cindy's goal is to live in a world where every person is engaged in a career that brings them personal and financial success. When this happens, it creates successful companies, successful relationships and successful communities.  Cindy knows first hand how being in the right career can change your life for the better.  For 20 years she was in a profession where she was not able to be fully authentic.   In 2006 when she found life coaching, she gained a new sense of self confidence, pride in her work and happiness in her life.  Cindy's passion had led her to work with both business leaders and individuals to help them gain insight into their personal and corporate values and to understand how to honour these values in their work. http://www.cultureshockcoaching.com