Over the course of the past 20 plus years working with people looking for a job…meeting with individuals as a group and also one on one, helping them to use Linkedin as a tool, I have proposed the following process in some way, shape or form:
This is WHAT I would do IF I were looking for a job.
So, here are my 10 steps to Finding a Job You Can Love!
1. Identify your passion. What are you interested in…What makes you get up in the morning?
2. What company or non profit would you ideally love to work with…NOT for.
There IS a difference.
3. Explore their website. What is their mission and vision?
4. Connect with people working for that organization. It’s really not hard to do.
5. Take your new “connections” out for coffee…Again not hard to do. Use your creativity. Meet in a park, bring your own lawn chairs and mask…at this time of the Corona Virus.
6. What are the challenges that organization is facing…short term and long term.“
7. After taking the Strengthfinders. 2.0 Assessment…you now know or have a clue to your “Strenghts” and HOW to use them! So you are now going to use your “Strengths”to solve their most pressing challenge!
8 Remember, You are unique! There is no one else like you.
9. Forget about the “job description” IF you are pursuing a job with an opening… It’s just a clue to their perceived needs!
Positions that are advertised are probably already taken. Why compete…It’s a losing game. So don’t spend alot of time with that goal of submitting applications to job openings. You can do that, but…
10. So you are now going to use your “Strengths”to solve their most pressing challenge! AND
You are going to create your own “position”.
I never got a job with a resume.
Is Linkedin useful for finding a new job or career?
AND your probably wondering if anyone got a job following my advice.
Don’t really know…My good friend Wayne said once. “You can teach a person what to do but you can’t make them DO what is in their best interest to do”. That’s a paraphrase of his comment after my voicing disappointment that with all the help & advice I have given many people especially about updating their Linkedin profile. Few people follow through. Why don’t you be the exception?
You don’t get a job because of your Linkedin Profile. It’s just a tool to connect with the right people who can help you. AND to see who the people are that are doing the job you might love to do…but only better!
This process is also perfect for finding a great volunteer opportunity!
Why you are receiving this post.
You are one of my 5500 + Linkedin connections over the past 15 years.
I started using Linkedin around 2003 with a small prayer group at my church with people searching for a job.
Don’t remember if the Prayer group was part of my job description while on staff or I did it as a volunteer, but I did continue as a volunteer with the group after I resigned my position with the church. It was time to go full time as a volunteer with the numerous volunteer activities I was involved in. My background was agriculture which led me to contact Chapin Living Waters which was involved with agricultural missions around the world and ended up doing their website after Dick Chapin learned that I and a friend created our churches first website. The friend, Chuck, also helped me with this website after some 19 years. Illustrates the power of “connections”.
Dick’s favorite saying was and also mine: ““If you missed knowing me, you missed nothing. But if you missed knowing my savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything.”
Theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul. “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.”
On Your Journey
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
On our journey with Jesus! “The trail is long, and we won’t arrive at our destination in this life. Still, we’re on the journey with Jesus for the greatest thrill of our lives.” Zig Ziglar
Feeling a little anxiety during this Corona Virus Pandemic?
Many of us are feeling some anxiety. Little wonder. According to Dr. Frank Minirth and Dr. Paul Meier in their book Worry Free Living, “Anxiety is linked more to the future, while depression is linked to the past. Depression is the past superimposed on the present, and anxiety is the future superimposed on the present.” Not knowing what will happen in the coming weeks and months with this seemingly runaway virus quite naturally can bring anxiety.
Matthew 6:34 says “So do not be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.” (The Living Bible) This is sound wisdom and an utterly reliable promise, but conquering our anxieties can be tough.
Anxiety during Corona Virus?
Remember, You Are Special and Unique!
Luck, Fate or Providence?
We often hear the words, luck, fate, and providence.
You found this page…by luck, fate or providence…?
Your answer to this question will probably determine if you are going to continue reading this post to the end and take some action.
Theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul. “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.”
Finding A Job You Can Love!
Actively Looking For A New Job or Career?
The book, Finding A Job You Can Love explores the SIMA process:
SIMA System for Identifying Motivated Abilities
but I also see other process’s as
1. Strengthfinder 2.0
2. S.H.A.P.E Strengths, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality, and Experience.
3. Spiritual Gifts Assessments
Good Assessments to help you identify the gifts, abilities and strengths the LORD has given you!
Some key steps you can begin to take now!
What to do with your Linkedin profile now with the Covid-19 Crisis.
A good article by Wayne Breithbarth, Linkedin Guru
If you are looking for a great volunteer opportunity:
Some insights from my experience with Linkedin:
How does your Linkedin profile look as you view these steps?
1. Alot of my connections profiles are outdated, not updated.
People find jobs and do NOT update their profile.
When was the last time you looked at your profile?
2. Some retired people’s profile still show that they are working.
3. Dead people’s profile are still there.
4. Most “connections” don’t have a website on their Contact section. May work for a non profit and don’t even have their non profit website listed. I tell them and some don’t even add it! ???
5. I’m not looking for a job, no book, product, CD or service to sell.
6. I have an Eastbrook Community Group on Linkedin. Over 350 people in the group. A good way for new or newer people to get to know others. No one uses it that I know of. No one posts anything in the group.
Ready to make some changes to your Profile?
7. In 100 groups…just a passive member. Doesn’t seem to encourage people to connect with me.
8. I post “status updates”…sometimes 3-4 a day…and then go many days without posting.
9. I frequently “like” other posts of my connections.
10. Basically, I use linkedin to drive people to my blog. and my website.
Bottom line: Don’t know how useful Linkedin is for me….After all the years I have been using it…Must be around 10 years. 5500 “connections”
How useful is Linkedin for you?
Your thoughts, insights or wisdom?
Lots of opportunities in the world
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”-Albert Schweitzer
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
If we truly are Jesus’s hands and feet in the world…how can we be good stewards and invest our lives for His glory? So we can truly make a difference in the world!
● When searching for Nonprofits to invest in…either as a volunteer or as an investor, what should I be looking for and why?
● Start with your church! Look at your churches’ website. What is their Mission statement and Vision for your city and the world?
Monday morning, beginning of a new work week: Off to work?
Still looking for peace in your life?
A few final words of encouragement
“May our LORD Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2nd Thessalonians 2: 16-17 (NIV)
In Conclusion
If you have found anything of use to help you….why not consider helping your friends?
Various buttons on bottom of this post. Send this post to a friend, post on facebook and or linkedin!
If you have any questions or thoughts post them. Let’s start a discussion!
Blessings
Richard
This is great advice! Thanks for taking the time to put it together. I hope a lot of people will be helped by it — Ruth
So do I! Hope people will post to their social media and or email to friends who might be looking for a new opportunity that the LORD already has for them!