Well, in my last post I talked about having passion for what you do in life, and I was able to this Anyone out there want to be passionate about the work they do? Tommorrow, I will be offering tips and answering your questions

ARIZONA Anyone out there want to be passionate about the work they do? Tomorrow, I will be offering tips and answering your questions on “Career Straight Talk”. I will be sharing on “Helping motivated individuals find their calling in life”.

For many people, answering this question results in a complete blank. Now, on a regular basis, I have individuals approach me - it doesn’t matter their age, but they’ve just been going through life – without living their passion. In a recent article, Forbes magazine stated that 87% of the population is not a match for the work they are doing.

But for others, the answer is pure joy. I’ve seen many people living a satisfying and challenging career – how? They are capitalizing on their personal and professional God-given strengths and talents.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26th, 9-10 AM, on KFNX 1100 AM, or for that manner, call in with your questions!

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Well, in my last post I talked about having passion for what you do in life, and I was able to this yesterday on the weekly radio program ìCareer Straight Talkî. For those of you that called in … and the many more that listened… I hope youíll be able to apply some nugget of the program to your career!

No doubt the focus was passion, and it is for all I do - how about you? As we focus on the job search, this is key! But most folks donít get it, job seekers and employers alike. But the great news is, once someone does get it, they have set themselves, or their organization apart, and above the rest!

Let me also step out and put this out there. You need to be communicating that passion even as early as the “pre-interview” stage. By doing so will yield you very positive results. 

Long gone are the days of hiring of the “quota system” - some of you can remember back in then. Where because of someoneís color or heritage, they were hired into a position. I can tell you as a former hiring manager, I was looking for the most qualified person for the job - based on their natural talents and gifts they brought to the table. I was not going after a particular group, but looking for the best person overall.

Take this thought to your search. In your interaction with your next potential employer, are they able to “see and hear” that you are the best person for the job? Have you given them solid reasons why they should do so? Remember itís up to you to make that connection!

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Just look in the Sunday paper or get on the internet and you’ll see plenty of career fairs out there. I’ll ask the question, “Are you ready?” Why would you even go to one of these things? The answer might surprise you.

In building your network through career fairs, I was quoted in yesterday’s Sunday paper. Let me share with you five simple steps:

• Dress professionally. Look at the fairs as a potential interview opportunity.
• Assess the list of participating employers ahead of time and develop a “short list” you want to focus on. Prepare targeted resumes for those companies.
• Make sure you have a supply of resumes and, if possible, business cards with you. Carry in a professional looking portfolio.
• Develop more than just a 30-second “elevator speech” to introduce yourself - make sure you know 10 and 20 second versions, too.
• Get a business card from every person you speak with and most important, follow up with them after the fair!

Also, keep this in mind - all career fairs are not created equal. Some may meet your needs and others may not. The key is to know what you are looking for? Make a list. Are the companies that will attend on your “target list”?

Finally, finding a position is all about building relationships, and going to job fairs is a good way to network and meet new people. You never know how a connection will play out!

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Ok, I’ll say it - “Happy Easter!” - yes, a very unpolitically correct statement! I love it when people stand for something, when they make it known the “why” and “how” of why they do what they do. Take someone in a job search, maybe you, why would you apply for certain jobs and not for others?

Let me hit this a bit home. This past Friday, I tried calling my printers, MinuteMan Press of Gilbert, and got a recording. Well, after listening to it through, I realized they where closed, closed for this holiday season - Good Friday and Easter. They were making a statement for what they stood for, and weren’t going to cave in because of the “noise” around them (ie: “if you were open, look at the additional money you could have made!) By the way not only do they do great work, but they are very responsive to any wild and crazy request I may have! Five stars of these guys!

How many companies do you know that operate from their internal principles rather than external forces?

Take this to your work setting. Are you and your employer in alignment? Do your goals match theirs? Do you even know what these goals are? (I’ll talk more or this in a future post.) If not, you’re likely not enjoying your job or being fulfilled.

Let me step out on a limb here: if you have a career that you look forward to on Monday morning - great! If not, I challenge you - are you really wanting to? - to enjoy your Monday and to let it spill over into the rest of your life? Really?  Keep in mind this principle - our career touches each area of our lives!

If you’re ready to take that stand, take action - today! Take the steps to get to know your boss, your company, and even your industry. If you would like help with this, feel free to give me a call or to get some pointers from our web site at www.CCubedCareer.com. It’s your choice - but only you can take the first step.

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We spend most of our waking hours with our career - likely more than in any other area of our lives. Are you passionate in what you do?

In a resent article, I was recently asked about my first job - here was my reply - “My first job was working at an amusement park in Southern California (I’ll let you guess which one). I operated the world’s highest, fastest and scariest wooden racing roller coaster - well, at the time! I sent unsuspecting victims off for the ride of their life (and a serious case of white knuckle exhilaration). In a warped way, this established my life work of helping others find passion in their lives.”

I was, and 30 years later still am, passionate about helping people through career issues. It could be someone just starting out to a person in transition - it’s my life work.

I would challenge you to find your “life work”. What would make you spring up in the morning? What would you want others to remember you for?

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As a career and life coach, I don’t know if I get another question asked more. Now, it could be in many different forms, but naturally, we all want to feel fulfilled and passionate about what we are doing in life.

Now, its one thing to ask the question, but a whole another to answer it. Could it be because we all measure “success” differently? It’s likely to one thing many folks can disagree on! Think about how subjective its definition is. Even people with the same value system and background will give different thoughts!

If you think about it, you could live a much more focused life you knew exactly where you wanted to go instead of trying to measure up to everyone’s views of success for yourself - you need to be true to your goals and objectives.

Cal Jernigan recently stated that there are three common objectives in regard to success: wealth, fame and power. Because these things are different for everyone, the outcome, or the “success”, will be different. Think through one of these three for a minute. What does it mean to you? I would challenge you to take the time to know. This will dictate your life, your job, and your relationships.

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For those of you that know me, I know you’re only thinking of one thing - Kevin is about to write something about the coffee shop of the all-time great TV show “Seinfeld”. Yes, I am a huge Seinfeld fan, but that’s not the case.

I have many of the best (I my humble opinion) coffee shops staked out in the Phoenix market. Quite often I find myself at Coffee Rush (in Gilbert), but this past Friday, I was meeting some folks at Highland Café (in Mesa) - if you need a recommendation on a shop in your area, feel free to e-mail me! With my background, and even as a coach for a number of years, I’m always watching people! Hey, everyone needs a hobby!

Back to the Highland Café. As I sat there, I was amazed at the number of people. People from all walks of life. People of all ages. People like me - trying to figure out what was going on.

Well, it took me a few (it takes me a while sometimes!) and with the prompting of the people I was with, I learned what was happening - Mike and Esther, the owners, were needing to close the doors - after years of service to the community.

What is my point here? Relationships. One person after another was coming in to thank them and to wish them well.

What does relationships have to do with the job search? Everything! Did you know that in everything you do, it could (and should) be a networking opportunity for that next position. I can almost guarantee you that because of the relationships that Mike and Esther have built over the years, one of these folks will lead them to their next great opportunity.

How about you? You are you networking with? As I tell my clients, if you’re even thinking about getting serious on your job search, networking needs to be at the core of all you do.

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Career Coach Kevin Tucker, of C-Cubed Career Consulting & Coaching, shares three tips on landing your next job! First, target the industry. Know where you will be the best fit. We often provide an assessment to individuals - it’s a great way to provide focus and direction!

And second, know the company. What are they about? What is their vision? Their mission? Why are they in business? Know how you can fit into the culture of the organization.

And finally, know the job. Ask yourself; why are you the best person for the job? Know this and know it well before you even think about applying for the position. In my years as a hiring manager, by far, most of the individuals did not even have a clue what they where applying for!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager (CCM), Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

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Have you been in a new job situation where there was a job description, but in all reality it meant nothing? You might even be asking, ìWhy did they even bother writing this thing?î

Most employers mean well, but all too often the formal job descriptions quickly evaporate after hiring. This is especially true for small businesses where employees wear many hats that change constantly, says Jeffrey Moses, in the article ìUse Job Descriptions to Focus Employee Responsibilities.î

But hopefully, with any luck, that job description can give you an idea of what the position will be like. This will be one of the hints you can use to make your decision to join the company. Just think of the person that writes those little blurbs on the Taco Bell hot sauce packets ñ now, what would that job description look like?

What should be included in a job description? Well, it depends on who you ask and even the type of company. But Kenneth H. Pritchard with SHRM has some thoughts on how job descriptions can be used directly or indirectly:

• Assign work and document work assignments. 
• Help clarify missions.
• Establish performance requirements. 
• Assign occupational codes, titles and/or pay levels to jobs. 
• Recruit for vacancies. 
• Explore reasonable accommodation.  
• Counsel people on career opportunities and their vocational interests. 
• Train employees. 
• Check for compliance with legal requirements related to equal opportunity, equal pay, overtime eligibility, etc. 
• Make decisions on job restructuring. 
• Suggest ways to enrich the work experience.

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For many people, answering this question results in a complete blank. Now, on a regular basis, I have individuals approach me - it doesn’t matter their age, but they’ve just been going through life – without living their passion. In a recent article, Forbes magazine stated that 87% of the population is not a match for the work they are doing.

But for others, the answer is pure joy. I’ve seen many people living a satisfying and challenging career – how? They are capitalizing on their personal and professional God-given strengths and talents.

I just got through going to a concert with a very accomplished musician, John Tesh. I first heard him 12 years ago at Red Rocks amphitheater in Colorado, and then tonight, here in Chandler, Arizona. One thing is for sure, he has found his passion in life! Some of you may know him as a successful musician, a former host of Entertainment Tonight, or even from his radio talk show Intelligence for Life. It was amazing to hear how he left a seven figure a year income to follow his passion!

What is your life passion? What is the work of your life? Do you want that joy? That peace? That feeling you are just where you should be? I would challenge you to find your “life work”. What would make you spring up in the morning? What would you want others to remember you for?

My challenge for you this week is to take the time to find out. Go to a “mountain top”, your favorite coffee shop, a drive to nowhere – whatever it is, take some time and think it through. Your outcome of this exercise will affect the rest of your life – I’d love to hear of your experience!

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