How May I Help You Find Your Dream Job?
Written by Michael on May 16, 2008 – 1:08 am -How may I help you find your dream job?
Are there resources you’d like to learn more about?
Specific jobs or areas we can highlight or focus on?
I want to help you however I can.
No charge, no sweat.
Here’s what one reader wrote to me a few days ago:
Hi Michael.
I cannot express how excited I am to have found your site. I came across it following a link from Self Made Chick.I believe I am an entrepreneur. I have a dream of making money doing things I love that help people, and in my own fashion. But I have so many things I am interested in.
I am a teacher, and a writer and I have a natural instinct for marketing and business. I want to try so many things.
Like you, I have always been fascinated by jobs. What it takes to do it.
What type of person it is good for. I’ve often contemplated becoming a career counselor or coach.As I was reading your bio, I couldn’t believe how many similarities we have. I am just so excited to have met someone who is passionate about many things, fascinated by careers and researching them, and understands the need to find a person’s purpose.
I have done a workshop with Martha Beck on this topic. I am currently reading “Are You Using Your Genius?” at the recommendation of Jonathan Fields. And now, I will have to add 17 Lies to list. My head is swimming with ideas. It’s both exciting and scary because I know I am on to something big in my life. It’s the universe talking to me!
The readings are empowering. I often feel selfish when I think about leaving the classroom to pursue other interests. I feel guilty because I see people just working and struggling to make ends meet. I ask myself, who am I to think I can achieve these things. But I think I have finally accepted that I am lucky because I have the courage to at least try.
Thank you so much for your blog. I am extremely happy I found it.
I’ve connected with this reader.
How might I be of service to you?
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Posted in Resources |
May 16th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Michael, I’ve been clicking around so much today that I don’t really know how I got here. ;-). Yes, I’m looking for my dream job. I was once in IT. Don’t think I want to be any more. I enjoy writing more. I Have managed to maintain a popularity rating between 3-7 in http://www.blogcatalog.com for the last two weeks, but would love to land something more substantial. Any ideas? - Nards
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Michael: I am so lost I couldn’t find south if I were standing at the north pole.
It’s a long, frustrating, boring story, but suffice it to say, I have no idea what to do. I’ve applied, interviewed, even been promised a call back by almost every interviewer, but have never received a call.
I told my wife I’ve gone from a high-school kid job to a college kid job. Everyone around me says I’m smart, talented, good at anything and everything I do but no one will hire me.
I have many interests (too many interests), tons of ideas and even more fear, and no idea where to go.
Have I made this plea desperate enough? Seriously, I am at my wit’s end and was contemplating the worst about 6 months ago. Are you familiar with Dan Miller’s “48 days to the work you love”? I read the book and I’m working the workbook - most of my answers to his questions are, “I don’t know.”
Everyone is offering me advice and none of it seems right to me.
Where do I start? What do I do?
If nothing else, please keep me in your prayers.
Thanks,
Nic
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Nic, sorry to hear about the struggle. BUT, do not fear . . . there’s a spot, and a ‘right’ spot out there for you. Please paste your resume in the comments here, and let’s take a gander.
First step is to know where you’ve been so far.
Michael
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Michael:
Here is the most recent version I’ve been using - I’ve got 5 other formats/objectives if you’d like to see any of them too.
Of course the formatting just went to hell in a handbasket. grrrrr
Thank you.
Nic
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Production Management & Arts Administration
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Software Experience & Skills:
Microsoft Office Suite: Tested “Advanced” in Word, Access, Excel and Experienced in Outlook and Publisher
Typing Rated at 75 Words-Per-Minute
Versed in all office equipment including scanners, fax machines, copiers, etc.
Professional Experience:
Associate – Planet Cellular, Trussville, AL (Jul 2007 – Present)
Advise Customers in the Selection and Purchase of Wireless Communication Devices for Demanding Work and/or Personal Needs
Customer Service: Decipher billing statements for customers, Analyze Current Plans and Features and Make Recommendations to Benefit Customers, Explain Features and Capabilities of Phones
Constantly Enrolled in Continuing Education to be Knowledgeable of Up-to-date Versions of all Technology and Products
Consultant - Ad-itude Consulting & Advertising, Birmingham, AL & Naples, FL (2004 – Present)
Oversee Complete Production Process of Advertising Elements for Radio, TV, Graphic Specialists, and Internet Developers
Write, Produce and Create Various Advertising Elements such as Radio Commercials, Web Sites, TV Commercials, and Direct Mail Pieces
Coordinate Production for Various Advertising Media
Consult with Business Owners, Marketing Departments, Board of Directors and/or Corporate Executives:
Develop Unique Business Selling Propositions
Conduct Detailed In-Depth Interviews to Establish Company Needs, Goals and Vision
Advise Advertising/Marketing Strategies and Devise Calendar for Execution
Make Recommendations as to which Media to use
Prepare, Present and Host
Advertising Campaigns to Board of Directors and Corporate Executives
Advertising Seminars
Production Director/Program Director
Renda Broadcasting, Naples, FL (Mar 2001 – Nov 2004)
5 Star Radio Group/Southern Broadcasting Company, Clarksville, TN (1996 – 2001)
Designed procedures and paper trail for sales department.
Developed operating procedures which evolved into company-wide standards.
Coordinated sales, traffic and production through a newly created system of cross-checks.
Increased efficiency of departmental systems.
Developed software which facilitated the flow of production and tracked sales efforts.
Streamlined procedures and eliminated redundancies across traffic, production and sales.
Realtor - CM&H, Clarksville, TN & Better Homes and Gardens, South Bend, IN (1994 – 1996)
Coordinated Activities and Communications among All Parties in a Real Estate Transaction
Negotiated Contracts with Buyers and Sellers
Advised both Buyers and Sellers through Both Sides of the Transactions
Finalized Buyer’s Information with Mortgage Companies
Scheduled Appointments with Appraisers
Obtained Various Reports for Termite, Sewer/Septic Tank/Percolation Tests, HVAC, Plumbing, Structural, Electrical, Radon, Mold Inspections
Worked with Title Companies to Review Accurate Legal Descriptions and Obtain Up-to-date Surveys to Assure Clear Title
Forwarded All Information to Attorneys and/or Title Companies for Review and Finalization of HUD-1 Statements
Accompanied Buyers at Final Walk-Through Inspections
Notified Buyers of Amount Necessary for Cashier’s Checks at Closing
Foellinger Auditorium Manager - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1989 – 1994)
Responsible for all scheduled events and day-to-day operations of a 1,750 seat auditorium
Coordinated Calendar, Organized Details of All Productions, Scheduled Employees
Supervised Student Employees
References:
(Deleted for posting purposes - but I include 2 pastors, 1 realtor, 3 radio professionals)
June 5th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Thanks, Nic. But . . . what’s the problem? You look like a talented guy who’s employed at doing something you appear to like.
Tell me what I’m missing. What is that you really want to be doing?
Let’s keep going.
Michael
June 5th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Michael:
The biggest problem is not getting hired. I’m sending re’sume’s, going on interviews but not getting hired.
It must be my advertising background that makes it look so good, but I hate selling cell phones. I’m not providing for my family, the benefits are cost prohibitive so my wife has to work and we are on her benefits.
I guess my two biggest strengths are coordinator/organizer and advertising. I am very organized (not quite OCD but close) and very creative regarding ad concepts and ideas.
As far as “what” I want to be doing, I’m not sure anymore. I came up with this analogy - I’m a car at the bottom of the river: obviously not supposed to be there, now rusting while the rest of the world is rushing past me.
I have too many interests/hobbies/ideas to pin it down. I like voice-over work and I like construction. I like organizing offices/stores/events and I like woodworking or tinkering on my car. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m more confused and feel pulled in a dozen different directions. I’m a very Type A personality (like you haven’t guessed).
What I have seen you refer to as “the universe” I attribute to God - there are talents and gifts He has given me that add up to something - I have no idea what it is. And when I use them to my utmost, I will be doing His work - obviously serving my purpose, providing for my family and very happy at what I’m doing. Right now I’m just existing and I don’t know how to move from here.
Thank you, Michael.
Nic