What does finding a spouse and finding a career have in common?

1. A large amount of patience is required for both
2. Hanging out in groups in order to find a spouse or a job is typically required
3. If all of your needs are not met both of these relationships can fall apart quickly.
4. Everyone has preconceived notions about going into a relationship like this. The more open you are with each other in the beginning of the relationship the better off you will be later.
5. The first couple of dates (interviews) can be very uncomfortable.
6. In order to be a friend you must first be friendly. (Even in an interview)
7. People like to be respected; men- hold the door for your date (spouse), open her car door, write her a love letter, buy her flowers, speak to her with love and not harsh words. Isn’t the same true of an interview? Send them a thank you letter for interviewing you, treat the interviewer with respect during the interview, etc…
8. A call back might not happen after the first date (interview)
9. Some persistence might be required
10. In order for anyone to find a spouse or a job, a miracle needs to happen. In the area of marriage it is always amazing to me to learn of two totally separate people rearranging their entire lives to become one flesh. When they met each other they had their own goals and objectives, but when they accept that bond of marriage they relinquish those desires and focus on their desires together.
11. The same goes for finding a job. When a company is looking to hire a new person they search far and wide for the right candidate. This company could hire anyone they want but when it came down to it, they hired you. How mind blowing is that? It could have been anyone in the world but it was you. Don’t take that fact lightly.
12. When you do find a spouse or find a job don’t take these two miracles lightly. Count your blessings and thank God for these two privileges.

Question: Do you believe that job searching happens by divine providence?

My reason for asking such a thought provoking question is because this topic of divine providence in job searching does not get talked about nearly enough, at least not from what I have seen in the blogosphere. I am sure many of you reading this article today could point to times in your career where no matter what you did it seemed like doors kept closing on you during your job search. And then suddenly, as if by divine appointment a door opened that you never considered. The doors that you were knocking on were doors that in the natural seemed like logical choices and wise moves but for whatever reason they all led to dead ends. And the door that opened and proved to be the most fruitful was the one door that you never even considered knocking on. It was the one that probably never entered your mind or consideration. However, it was the one that brought the result you were looking for right from the start.

The inspiration for this article comes from my brother Ryan. After years of knocking on the most logical doors with little or no results, his unforeseen door opened this week with a new job at Fed Ex Ground here in Pittsburgh! Even though he applied for hundreds of jobs on the Internet Fed Ex found his resume on Monster.com and quickly interviewed and hired him. He didn’t know about the job nor did anyone refer him to the position, they randomly found him with no effort on his part.

Here are a couple of items that I am sure some of you can relate to:
Sent hundreds of resumes via online job boards and corporate web sites.
Countless phone screens and face-to-face interviews
Endless networking encounters
Frustration over the lack of communication from human resources departments (By the way, what is wrong with many HR professionals around this country? This is the one group that is supposed to be the best at communication within a company but when it comes to recruiting they display a pitiful example of good communication. If you interview someone multiple times for a position please have the decency to call them and let them know they didn’t get the job!!!!)
At one point a very large company gave him a verbal job offer only to never make any contact with him again. The words, “You have the job…we will send an offer soon” actually came out of HR’s mouth only never to hear from them again. I guess corporate priorities change on a dime now-a-days. Unfortunately the communication side of HR is slow to adapt.
Countless more hours of trying to come up with alternative plans for your full time job to ensure that you can put bread on the table, a roof over your head, cloths on your back, and gas in your car once you finally get the call that your time with your present employer has ended.

I believe that God has a plan for our lives and that our steps are ordered by the Lord. You may not be a Christian or believe that God has a plan for your life but you must admit that there are situations in life that you simply cannot explain or take credit for. The next time a new job or business opportunity comes your way unexpectedly or effortlessly you will have to ask yourself how this happened? Why did it happen to you at this particular time in your life? Some decisions and events are simply unexplainable except by Divine intervention.

jd

Does the position make sense for you?

This is a question we do not ask our self enough when we are looking for a new job or making a career change.  It is tempting to rush into a new position without asking yourself if it is the right move for you.   Especially for those of us who have been forced to make a career change.  Not every company is a good fit for your style, your personality, and your values.  How do you determine if a company is right for you before you take it?

1. Do as much research as possible before the job interview.  Talk to past employees, comb the internet for information not listed on the company’s web site, and if possible, try and ask the recruiter from the company as many questions as possible before the actual interview with the hiring manager.
2. Get a feel for the corporate culture.  Does your personality and style fit with the demands / restraints of this culture?  You might want to avoid a suit and tie culture if you have a flip-flop mentality.  Some employees prefer to work on flex time where others enjoy the structure of 8-6 or 9-5.  Try and figure these little pieces of information out before you enroll in the 401k program, because then it is too late.
3. Talk with advisors.  I am a firm believer in having a good friend or mentor that you can go to for advice on big decisions.  I am also a big believer in prayer for big decisions but coupled with talking to people I trust.  It is wise to get advice from others before you act on decisions that could alter the course of your life and in many cases your family’s life.  Don’t be a lone-ranger when it comes to making decisions.  Seek out the advice of others before you act.

What other advice do you have for those who might be making a career change or starting a new career?  Comment on this post to help those who need advice on this topic.