9/10/07: The Archaeological Dig: Looking for a Job and Finding Yourself

By Faye Dresner

Every time I think about the fact that I have a consulting practice, I am happily surprised. I didn’t start out to be an independent consultant. Somewhere along the job search path, I took an alternate route than I first imagined. Why did that happen? Because I took the time to honestly assess what calls me – the type of work environment I want, what I love doing, and the kind of people I want around me. I believe we begin life with unique talents and a mandate to use them in a job that feeds the soul. And a mismatch can be deadly – to the imagination and the spirit.

I can hear some of you saying, “But I don’t know what calls me, so how do I know what to look for?” The beauty of this process is that you don’t have to know what job you’re looking for, only the skills and talents you have and the type of environment in which you thrive. If you aren’t clear about those, your work starts there. Ask friends what they think you do well. Think back to other jobs in which you excelled. Reflect on leisure activities you love and why. The good news is, you can find employment that’s a great fit even if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. The bad news is, you have to work at it.

My first step in the search process involved creating a document I called “Attracting the Ideal Work Environment.” I spent several days thinking and talking with friends to formulate a detailed description of the kind of place in which I dreamed of working. Is there an emphasis on innovation? Does it have leadership with a vision and the guts to stand behind it? Is the mission personally compelling? Is there a strategic approach to problem solving and action planning?

Next, I made a list of those things I wanted from the job itself. Will it be intellectually stimulating? Does it deal in big ideas? Does it push me to grow and stretch? Last, I listed what I consider to be my talents and strengths. That document became my constant companion against which I tested any job I was seriously considering. If the organization or position failed my test, I walked away.

Over the course of 8 months, I went from looking for a full time job to starting my own consulting practice. It’s been a great fit, incredibly interesting, and a lot of fun. And I attribute my success to three things:

1. taking the time to really examine what calls me
2. trusting my instincts about what’s right or wrong for me, and
3. having the courage to walk away from a bad fit.

And the best part of the entire process has been getting to more intimately know myself – my dreams, desires, and gifts, and yes – those things at which I don’t excel or don’t interest me – and that information is incredibly valuable in all arenas of my life.

Faye Dresner

Faye Dresner is the founder of Dresner Consulting, LLC which she started to help tap the power of nonprofits and philanthropists to affect change. For over two decades, Faye has served in director-level positions with a variety of nonprofits which has taught her that when a person finds work that is personally fulfilling and life enhancing, both employer and employee benefit.

http://www.dresnerconsulting.com
fdresner@dresnerconsulting.com