5 Questions About Jobs and Stuff

The “real world” (whatever that means) is rapidly approaching for us seniors.  For a lot (if not all) of us, that comes with a ton of uncertainty about the future.  One of the biggest unknowns is quite obvious.  What kind of job will we have?

Many of us know what we specifically want to do.  But there’s some, including myself, that don’t.  I have somewhat of an idea.  But I still don’t have a clear picture.  It’s more like a fuzzy vision.

Here’s 5 questions I’ll be asking myself as I look for jobs and stuff.  Maybe they’ll help you as well.

Does this serve a higher purpose?

The StrengthsFinders test is one of the most helpful assessments I’ve ever taken.  My top five strengths are Maximizer, Belief, Individualization, Arranger, and Responsibility.  I’ve seen all five of these play out in my life in some form or fashion.  The second one, Belief, is especially critical when I’m deciding whether or not to pursue something.  If I don’t belief in the cause down to my core, I have a hard time giving it my best effort.  Tim Keller’s book Every Good Endeavor has also helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of faith and work integration.

Am I good at this?

This one is pretty simple. You have to competent, or at least have the potential to learn the skills necessary to become competent.  Or else you’re no good.  And then you get fired.  And then you cry.

Does this get me fired up?

I can be good at something but not be super passionate about it. The opposite is also true. Like me and playing music. It’s a ton of fun, but it also breaks people’s ear drums.  Being good at it is the first step, but can I get excited about what I am doing?  Can I wake up at 5:30am on a Monday and be excited to go to work?

Can I grow in this?

If you land your dream job right out of college, then I’m worried for you.  Maybe you should consider raising the bar a couple inches.  Or, to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi for the Star Wars nerds like myself, you might need to *waves the force* “go home and rethink your life.” I think finding a job that will push, stretch, challenge, and grow you is essential.  Especially in your early twenties.

Will I be mentored well?

Jeremie Kubicek once told me, “In your 20s, it’s not as much about what you do as who you work for.”  I think that’s great advice.  I hope to look at my supervisor and want to become more like him or her.  Another mentor of mine, David Salyers, says that a remarkable company should “believe the best in their people, want the best for their people, and expect the best from their people.  In that order!”

Did I miss anything here?  What?  You’re wondering why I didn’t include anything about finances?  Or to put it in layman’s terms, gettin’ that green?

Money matters, so don’t get me wrong.  Life is expensive.  You need that paper to be able to pay bills and live.  But here’s the big idea.  If you can answer “yes” to all five of the questions above, I’m willing to bet that the money will follow.  Maybe not right away, but if you’re good at it, love it, can serve a need with it, and will grow and be mentored, it’s hard to imagine not finding a way to make a living.

Jon Acuff, one of my favorite authors, says that “your first job is about learning how to have a job.”   Use these five questions and see it as a stepping stone to great things!

What are you looking for in your first real job?  Would you add anything else?