This week on The Job Search Boot Camp Show we had special guest Laurel Donnellan, the President of ThreeGiantLeaps and Author of the new book “Born To Do: The Practical Guide To Loving Your Work”. You can hear the replay here, or listen to it on iTunes here.
On our show, Laurel discussed how she brought together her training in ancient wisdom and positive psychology to help those in career search. She says that she appreciates the need to earn a living by working, but says you need to do “the soul search before the job search” and by connecting to your “meaning” your life becomes much more interesting.
Searching Yourself Our society defines people by their work. The 2nd question most people ask – right after “what is your name?” – is “what do you do?“ The ‘test’ to see if you are in the right line of work is to think about the answer to that question. The answer to “what do you do?” should elicit passion or excitement (or both!). Most careeer books and Career Coaches usually don’t jump into the mechanics of the resume or job search. Generally, they start with the inner work (or what Laurel calls “soul search”) to identify your values, dreams, and passions. Through a short assessment and some short exercises, you can do the “soul searching” or the “inner work” to identify those traits that when you use them you lose track of time, or the tasks that put a smile on your face, or dream you had when you were a child of the career you would have.
Courage Many miserable employees remain miserable because they get paralyzed by fear. Courage comes easy for some, and harder for others. On our show, Laurel mentions those things that may be holding us back – what she calls “Limiting Beliefs”. She says the way to gain courage and overcome the fear of changing careers is to identify patterns that hold us back.
For example, no matter what our age – whether they are 24 or 74 – most of us have a limiting belief that it is too late to change our trajectory. We believe they are too old. Instead of saying “I’m too old to change careers”, Laurel instructs us to replace that belief with the saying – “I am open to the possibilities of a new career.”
Doing the inner-work will not only help you in your outter-work. It will help you in every aspect of your life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jay Markunas knows what he was Born To Do. He was born to help people find work they love. He does this as the co-host of The Job Search Boot Camp Show. He’s also is a Founding Partner of http://www.GreatOccupations.com which helps the fearful and the fearless find work they love.
The majority of this passage is consumed with Job’s continued pleas, both with his friends and with God. In regard to his friends, he compares them to the Wadis of Palestine, bodies of water that dry up in the summer, just when water is needed most. While he is in need of comfort because of the tragedies that have befallen him, his friends instead come to his side and accuse him of sin. It is a difficult concept to grasp from our worldview, but imagine having a close friend or relative die (only one of the many things that has happened to Job at this point), and having everyone around you say, “You must have done something to deserve this.” Job is adamant that he has not — and so the conflict arises.
It is important to point out Job’s diligence in making sacrifices to God, which was stressed in yesterday’s passage. It’s not that Job thinks he is perfect and incapable of sin. He is well aware of his propensity to sin, and even if he doesn’t know if he has sinned or if his family members have sinned, he routinely makes sacrifices to atone for sin just in case. Job is not just being prideful toward his friends when he argues their viewpoint. In 6:24-25 he tells them, “Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?” He would be willing to listen to their harsh words if they were true, but given their false nature, Job’s integrity won’t allow it.
When Job’s friend Bildad makes his first speech, we see some insight into the reasons for their mindset. He says in 8:20, “Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers.” The problem here is that the retribution principle assigns human logic to God. Aside from the fact that it is not God who is doing this to Job (as we see from the introduction and his conversation with Satan), to assume that God will work in the world according to what we think is right is to err greatly. God, all-knowing, all-powerful, knows what is best for us far better than we do.
It is Job’s reply to Bildad that bears more truth than perhaps even Job intended. First, he questions, “If it is not he, then who is it?” In other words, if it is not God who causes calamity and destruction in the lives of the righteous, who is it? Again, as readers we have a different view than the characters, so in this instance we can say undoubtedly that it is Satan. However, let’s apply that to our own situations. When the innocent are killed by the hand of man, can we not say that it is the work of Satan to tempt people to sin in that way? When wickedness fills the earth, can we not pinpoint the source to be the evil one who has dominion over the earth? We have already seen his crafty ways in Genesis 3, when he used lies and deceit to lure Eve and then Adam into disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. We cannot be naive enough to think he will not do the same to us.
Job’s words at the end of chapter 9 offer a ray of hope, whether intentionally or not. He pleas for an advocate in 9:33-34, “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.” Though this allusion was perhaps unintended by the author, this seems to be a foreshadowing of Christ. Knowing how Satan has defiled His creation, God has a plan of redemption in store for mankind, waiting at the cross for the sins of the world to rest on He who can take them away. Now, that doesn’t imply that tragedy won’t continue to happen. Though redemption is offered, Satan still has dominion over the earth until the time of Christ’s return, which we’ll see in the Revelation of John. What it does mean, though, is that sin no longer binds us — that sacrifice is no longer required in atonement for sin (because the perfect sacrifice has already been made for us), and that there is no longer any excuse for the retribution principle. What Job is pleading for here is just that — justification of his integrity. Though he seems to be found guilty with no charge, he is asking for someone to plead with God on his behalf, so that his integrity may be spared.
I’m a big Stephen Colbert fan and on the Colbert Report he often will announce a new “series” such as “Better Know a District” or “Tip of the Hat, Wag of My Finger” or “See You in Health.” Some work, some don’t, some disappear and some come back from time to time. What I like is the fearless approach to trying anything to see what works.
With that in mind, I’m announcing the start of my multi-week series: “Seein’ What Sticks.” I’m going to throw things on the wall on Fridays to see what sticks, because it’s my blog and I can.
For this week’s SWS: I came across this article by Tom Brokaw on MSNBC yesterday — http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35675368/ns/business-cnbc_tv/. What do you think? How does its message compare/contrast with last week’s Lemonade?
Also, check out my new LinkedIn link in the right sidebar. If anyone knows how I can put the logo to click on, please let me know. I promise to publicly thank you somewhat sincerely.
Job 1:21 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised”.
This one verse tells us about the most blameless upright man that ever lived. A man who lost all, yet gained all, because he won the favour of God. This man lost all yet he did not blaspheme God in self righteousness; he praised God. In other words, he was victorious though he lost his worldly possessions. He was victorious spiritually. For me, 1:21 is the key verse because he first of all realized all that he had belonged, not to him, but to God. Secondly, when he lost all his materialistic and worldly possessions, Job praised God. It must have been extremely difficult to say and do; yet Job placed God on a much higher pedestal than his materialism and family. This key verse gives us insight as modern day believers on how we, as Christians, should react in difficult circumstances. I recently read the book by Terry Law in which he related the death of his first wife, Jan. The most painful, yet the most illuminating process, was getting up early and praising God shortly after the death of his wife when he was left with three children. But Terry Low tapped into the reservoir of God’s love, healing, comfort and deliverance. The simple key was praise and worship. Praise God, through thick and thin; praise God, through wind or storm. Learn to praise and watch Him lead you through the difficult situation or process in your life.
Authorship: The authorship of Job is uncertain and under an immense amount of speculation. According to Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, p. 171 “the contents of the book indicate that its author was a profound thinker who treats some of the most crucial and difficult problems of human existence from a mature spiritual perspective. According to Jack W. Hayford, p. 130, “perhaps even Solomon himself”. According to the book, Old Testament Survey, p. 562, “the author of Job hides nameless in the background of his work while demonstrating overwhelming sensitivity to the human plight, capacity for massive theological understanding, group of vast areas of culture and learning, insight into deep struggles among opiniated persons and skill in literary craftsmanship”.
Date: According to Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, p. 171, “suggestions for the date of the book’s composition range from the patriarchal era to the post exilic period. Most scholars today date the book between the Solomonic and exilic eras. According to Hayford’s Bible Handbook, “the manners, customs and general lifestyle of Job are from the patriarchal period (about 2000-1800 BC).
Structure: According to the Old Testament Survey by William Sanford, David Allen and Frederic William, p. 564, the structure can be divided into;
“Prologue (prose), Chs 1-2
Job’s lament (poetry) 3
Dialogue between Job 4-27
.. and friends (poetry) in three cycles
.. Eliphaz (Job replies to each)
.. Bildad
.. Zophar
Poem on Wisdom (poetry) 28
Job’s complaint (poetry) 29-31
Elihu’s speeches (poetry) 32-37
Yahweh’s speeches 9poetry) 38-42:6
Epilogue (prose) 42:7-17
Comparison between Job and Jesus: Was Job a shadow of what was to come? Was Job a type of Christ? W. F. Albright has interpreted the name Job as “where is (my) father?” (taken from Old Testament Survey, p. 560)
Job: Job was a blameless and upright man. He feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1, Job 1:8). There is noone on earth like him. Job 1:21 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised”. Job 1:12 “Very well then everything he has is in your hands but on the man himself do not lay a finger”. Job was the most blameless and upright man on earth. Job 1:12 tells us that God allowed the devil to bring trials and tests into his life. Job did not deserve it; yet he went through physical pain (2:7), emotional pain (1:200 and psychological pain (3:1). Job, through no fault of his own, was allowed by God to be severely tested by Satan, yet Job did not retaliate; he did not curse God (2:9,10). He went through his pain; he went through his suffering. Job didn’t deserve it, yet it came upon him. Why? Because I believe there is a reason behind it. Nothing that is in the Bible has happened by chance. The story of Job for me has a deep prophetic connotation. Job 42:10-16, 42:12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. At least it has a happy ending!!
Jesus Christ: Matthew 27:23 What crime has he committed, asked Pilate, but they shouted all the louder, crucify Him. Matt. 27:30 They spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. Key verse: Matt. 27:46 Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.
Jesus was innocent, yet God allowed Jesus to endure immense pain, pressure of our sins, physical and psychological anguish for no fault of his own. Just because of his love for us. When Job, the most blameless, upright man that lived in his time, went through that suffering, did God just see Job .. or did God see Jesus in Job, knowing that one day his only son would go through suffering far worse, through no fault of his own.
Job, the meaning of his name is where is (my) father. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. I would like to conclude this comparison with a rhetorical question – Was the suffering and name of Job symbolic to what took place on Calvary? But what took place on Calvary carried immense magnitude – the enormity of the deity dying for us on Calvary.
Application: This book tells us that God allows tests and trials in a person’s life. This transaction stage or process stage, as I heard in a seminar, is called “liminality”. Job went through a liminality stage in his life in which he endured excruciating pain. But in the end, he came out victorious and the latter part of Job’s life was blessed even more than the former. I believe Job is an example of a victorious liminality survivor.
We, as Christians, are in the liminality process, just as Job was in the process. We are waiting for the second coming of Christ. We are in the sanctification process awaiting the time we will be fully glorified in Christ.
Main themes: According to the Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, “the basic question of the book is ‘why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all powerful?’’ The second theme for me is God’s hand on Job’s life during his suffering and God blessing Job because Job stood strong in his faith in God.
Theological Truths: God is in control. God who is omniscient or all knowing knows about everything, whether it is good or evil, and He is in control. God has a higher plan, a higher purpose in mind. The devil needed God’s permission to attack Job, yet God preserved his life and blessed him more as he came out of his suffering, completely victorious. Isa 48:10 “see I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested you in the furnace of affliction”. God refines and tests us. We, as His children, go through difficult situations in our life many times, but God never leaves us nor forsakes us. God never tempts us but I believe God allows us to go through hard times in our life so that we come out stronger, ready for His divine call.
Distinctive Pentecostal Beliefs: A distinctive Pentecostal belief here is spiritual warfare. Satan brought about oppression in Job’s life yet Job stood firm. In Job 1:10, it tells us that God put a hedge of protection around Job. In Eph. 6:10-20, the armour of God is our protection. When we, as children of the most high, live to please God, the devil brings about opposition. The devil brings about all kinds of oppression. The devil can attack our mind, our emotions, our finances, our family; but, what I learnt from Job is that the devil cannot take the life of a child of God unless God allows it to happen. The devil has come to steal, to kill and to destroy, but God has come to give us life and give it in abundance. Spiritual warfare is real. I have experienced it in my life but our God is far greater, far mightier. Jesus is our deliverer and redeemer.
Another distinctive Pentecostal belief is the prosperity of Job and the latter part of Job’s prosperity was greater than the former (Job 42:42). Contrary to a pentecostal belief that I have read here in Job is suffering. Many of our charismatic and Pentecostal churches are so caught up in the prosperity and spiritual warfare teaching that they fail to train and help people going through suffering. Many charismatic churches talk about the bed or roses, but those roses have thorns. So I would urge the Pentecostal churches to talk about trials and tribulations or the so called “laminality” process that every person endures during some time of their life.
Application: This book of Job has immensely helped me in my life. I went through a difficult time in my life. In fact, I suffered from depression but this book has given me a hope for the future. I would like to close with a poem I wrote:
Who am I?
That thought in my heart I ponder
What am I meant to be
Oh God, the future I just can’t foresee
Yet you care for me.
You didn’t just let me be,
You have a place and purpose
Thy Word is the key.
I came into the world a little seed,
Curious about the world so mysterious,
Bombarded with emotions hilarious,
At times delirious, at other times, furious
As I started to grow and mature to the tree I was meant to be,
I faced the storms of life
Into temptations I was tossed,
Yet through thy divine grace at Calvary
To temptation I was no longer held in slavery,
You set me free, enabling me to grow in sanctity,
Your word says, You shall bear fruit in season,
Seasons have come, seasons are gone,
Oh God, I feel so alone, why was I ever born,
Yet you on me never did frown,
The veil to enter the holy of holies was torn
By thy divine blood on the cross which was no loss,
At thy feet I place my supplication,
Oh Christ, on me make a divine transformation,
This season, let me see my life has a reason
Let me bear fruit at a dozen
Change my heart, my attitude
As I grow and mature in thy attitude,
As I pray I feel thy presence come as a ray
I feel the power of thy awesome presence like rain on me does spray
Father, when will you use me
Is it today?
I feel the rain come on me washing all my doubts and fears without a trace
Speaking to me through a gentle breeze
Thy love for me will never cease
I hear they voice saying my plans for you will be fulfilled come what may
All your have to do, daughter, is to pray.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hayford, Jack W., Hayford’s Bible Handbook, Nashville, 1995.
Nelson, Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Nashville, 1996.
Sanford, William, Allen, David, William Frederic, Old Testament Survey, Michigan, Zondervan, 1982.
I have decided to create my very own grading scale. It only consists of two things, either a WOO-HOO for a success or a WOMP for a failure. Even more crazy is that I actually use both of those words in my real-life. Without further ado, here are the updates on my 2010 annual goals.
Financial:
– Increase my monthly contribution to my Roth to $300 So, I cancelled my automatic contributions. With my new budget in place, I plan on contributing about $400 a month. So I think that is a WOO-HOO
– Start a 401K WOO-HOO! I did start one. However, I’m not too happy with Vanguard sending me mail every 5 minutes! I’m not green by any measure, but I really do hate paper mail. I am a hoarder by nature and companies that send me mail are enablers.
– Double my Net Worth (so I’m shooting for $33,766) I guess I won’t be able to comment on this until the end of the year, but I did pretty well last month. If I am to hit that goal, I will need to win the lotto increase my networth by $1,495 every month. Is it me or does this number get larger and larger? For now, let’s just wait and see.
– Budget WOO-HOO. So this is working for me. I do have one in place. Totally went over it last month though.
– Cancel 2 credit cards For now, a WOMP. Almost had the chance to complete half of this goal, but I passed. I know which credit cards I’m going to cancel (JCPenneys, Citi, and Bloomingdales), I just need to have $0 debt before I start making the calls. I definitely see this being completed by the end of the year.
– Take another bill from parents Crickets. WOMP
– Move my savings to another bank I’ve been scouting out some banks but my APY seems pretty competitive in this environment. I did hear of an online bank offering 2% on deposits, so if they cut my rate below 1.5% then that’s where I’m headed. For now, a WOMP!
Blog
– Participate in 12 blog carnivals Yeah…didn’t participate in ANY blog carnivals again. But I have plenty of time to redeem myself. And I will. For now, enjoy this WOMP.
– Write at least 3 posts a week This has been going pretty well. I think last week I did only 2 posts, but that was just one week. In the overall scheme of things I’ve been meeting my goal, so WOO-HOO!
– Change the theme (grey, blue and orange are so 2009…) So this is going to happen this month. My bloggiversary is coming up in 25 days guys!!! I’ve been checking out some themes (the free ones at least) and I’m not a fan, but we’ll see what I end up going with. I think this is classified as a WOMP-HOO.
– Buy a domain name So my good friend Two Young totally hooked me up with a nice deal to get my domain name for a $1. Except laziness trumps all, so I haven’t moved to it. It’s coming peeps. Just wait for it. WOMP.
– Do a monthly update of my net worth WOO-HOOs all around. Now that I’m a tracker, why wouldn’t I do a monthly update?
– Get more readers I love seeing every faces, but old and new. I just want people to come to my blog and to leave with a smile! WOO-HOO!
Personal
– Work out 3 times a week WOMP WOMP WOMPERS. This is horrible. However, March is going to bring about a change. Primarily because going to Costa Rica is becoming a bit more of a reality. So I’ve stocked up on Groupons for gym memberships that should carry me to mid-may. I’ve also found out that my Health Insurance offers discounts on gym memberships, so I’ll be signing up for Ballys for only $1/day
– Make one meal a month I made this delicious PB&J one time. Totally had to be there. Alright, WOMP.
– Study my cheeks off for the GMAT Studying about 2.5 hours a day. Classes start on Saturday. A very bittersweet WOO-HOO, since I can’t say studying is enjoyable.
– Apply/Get into to B-School I haven’t really looked at my essays since this last update. But since I’ve started the application, I’m clearly on track, right? RIGHT? I’m going to sneak a WOO-HOO for this month. However, if I haven’t made any further progress on essays in March, I’m turning it into a WOMP
– Get a raise/promotion I’m working harder. I’m actually enjoying my work. So, getting a raise and/or promotion would be chocolate icing on top of a very chocolately cake. (I really don’t like whip cream or Maraschino cherries…) I’m not sure how much control I have over this, but everyone cross your fingers for this WOMP to become a WOO-HOO!
– Team Lead 2 Community Service projects and Volunteer at least once a month As I mentioned in the last update, I probably won’t be volunteering in any projects until after I’m done applying. So this is on hold. Not a WOMP, but not quite a WOO-HOO, either.
– Network (the dreaded cold call or mixer. I will challenge myself to at least one per month) Last month I went to a fundraiser with the my Money Buddy. I also went to my last networking event with her. She’s pretty much my crutch for this things. I think I’m going to put the networking on a hold for now, but hey if someone is having a mixer, I’m not going to say no. WOO-HOO!
– Add $5 to each of my donations I’m not going to link back to my expense report so you will all forget about how much of a scrooge I was this past month. I’ll do better. I promise! WOMP
– Read one book a month I’ve read Kaplan’s GMAT 2010 Premier Study Guide cover to cover. But if that doesn’t count, I did start reading Manisha Thakoor’s, “Getting Financially Naked: How to Talk Money with Your Honey.” I’m up to part II where the talking with your honey is discussed. Maybe I’ll finish it in March, but we’ll see. For now, a WOMP-HOO!
– Travel with BF The plan is place, the workout has begun. Before we book, we’re waiting to hear back about BF’s start date for his position. Once we know, we’ll plan based on that! So, I’m considering it a WOO-HOO!
So as the months go on, and as actually do some of these things, I probably will delete them from the list. Then, at the end of December, I’ll do a giant re-cap of the goals and whether or not I accomplished them!
There’s no doubt that going on a job interview is a critical portion of a job candidate’s application process. If you were lucky enough to have a resume that got you through the door, the interview will provide you with an opportunity to further prove that you’re right for the position.
However, it’s not uncommon for a job candidate to get to the job interview then arrive and “fumble the ball.” The worst thing you can do in an interview is make little mistakes that destroy your chances of getting a position. So before going on your next interview, take a look at these mistakes that could definitely ruin it.
Don’t Arrive Late (or Too Early)
One fatal error that could hurt your chances of acquiring the position you desire is to arrive to the job interview late. Hiring managers are very busy people, and they often schedule several interviews within the same hour. If you show up late, you give an indication of what the employer could expect from you as an employee – not a good thing.
However, it’s also good to keep in mind that arriving too early could work against you too. While arriving 15 minutes prior to the interview is perfectly acceptable, arriving 30 minutes early could also through off the interviewer’s schedule and is generally frowned upon.
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Don’t Trash a Previous Employer
If you had a bad experience with a previous employer, don’t tell the prospective employer about it. For instance, never talk about how you disagreed with your last boss at every turn, and instead, simply say that you’d left because your goals didn’t line up with the missions of the company. But to say that the manager “sucks” will likely leave a bad taste in the interviewers mouth.
Don’t Get Too “Familiar”
Some hiring managers have complained that job applicants often get too familiar or friendly with them during an interview. Don’t bring up personal relationships, or you’ll alienate your potential new boss and ruin your chances at a call back.
Don’t Dress Inappropriately (or Sloppy)
We all know that wearing a t-shirt or provocative attire is unacceptable during an interview, but many employers also frown upon attire that looks cheap, or even you not ironing your suit or having scuffs in your shoes. Remember that there’s no better time for dressing well and looking impeccable than a job interview.
Don’t Question Pay and Benefits Too Soon
You may be anxious to know whether the position you’re interested in will pay will or offer health insurance benefits, but the time to ask is not when you walk through the door for the interview. If during the interview, you’re offered the position then it’s good to be prepared to negotiate. Hold your tongue until that point, though, if you don’t want to appear to have a sense of entitlement.
If you think in terms of what you should and should not do in an interview, you can strengthen your chances of getting the position you want. Besides, what’s the point in working so hard on a resume if you’re just going to sabotage the efforts in your interview?
