Chapter 11

Create the Job and Life You Want

Copyright 2011. Raymond Gerson

Chapter Objectives

• Discover how to find the hidden job market• Learn how to create a job even where no job

opening exists• Learn tips for starting a business of your own• Develop the courage to pursue your dream

career• Learn how to make your dream job happen

Introduction

• Only a fortunate few find a career they love

• It takes know-how and positive actions to make it happen

• About 70% of job openings are not advertised

• Most of your competition do not know the secret of finding the hidden job market, but you will

How Not to Find the Hidden Job Market

• Send out lots of resumes• Post lots of resumes online• Answer want ads• Depend on employment agencies to find you a

job• Go to lots of job fairs

Spend only a little time on these methods because they are the least effective job search strategies. This is what most people do.

Two Types of Hidden or Unadvertised Jobs

1. Unadvertised job openings that the employer knows about

2. Jobs that could be created, but no job opening currently exists

Finding Unadvertised Job Openings

• Know yourself and the job you want• Research companies and jobs of interest• Conduct informational interviews with people

who work for those companies and find out if there are job opportunities

• Contact hiring authorities with those companies to request an interview

• Join professional associations in your field of interest to meet workers and managers

Create a Job Where No Opening Exists

• Develop a proposal for the company and job you want (you will learn how in this chapter)

• Your research and informational interviews will help you to identify companies in need of your skills

• Your proposal will say what job you want and how you can contribute

• If you can add greater value to the company than your salary they will have an incentive to hire you

Activity 11.1 relates to these points

Before Writing an Employment Proposal

• Based on your research know which companies need employees with your interests and skills

• Be aware that an advantage of creating a job is that you will have no competition

• Know the approximate salary earned by people in this job

• When negotiating a salary begin by asking for 10-20% more than the average employee earnsSee sample proposal and complete Activity 11.2.

Six Steps to Create the Job You Want

1. Identify the talents and skills you enjoy using

2. Identify needs you want to fill

3. Determine the types of jobs and companies that work with the needs you identified

Six Steps to Create the Job You Want (Cont’d)

4. Determine whether you need additional skills, education and training to do the type of work you have identified

5. Develop a verbal or written employment proposal for the companies that interest you

6. Use job search and marketing strategies to reach hiring authorities and to present your proposal

Tips for Starting a Business of Your Own

• Research and determine the business you want

• Talk with people in this business• Identify skills, education and training needed• Create a business plan• Have enough capital and savings for a year of

low income• Know your projected expenses

Tips for Starting a Business of Your Own (Cont’d)

• Budget your income and expenses• Be willing to do marketing• Seek assistance from organizations like SBA that

provide support• Develop personality traits of an entrepreneur such as

self-confidence, discipline, communication, people skills and integrity

• Hire people to complement skills you lack Activities 11.3 and 11.4 relate to these points

Questions to ask About Pursuing Your Dream Career

• What will be the cost if you don’t pursue it?

• What are the benefits of going for it?

• Would you rather fail than to have never tried?

• What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

• How will you feel about yourself if you go for it or if you don’t?

Overcoming Fear of Pursuing Your Dream Job

• Begin moving toward your goal one small step at a time

• Read biographies of people who took risks, overcame defeats and succeeded

• Place inspiring pictures and quotes where you can see them often

• Listen to CDs that inspire and motivate you• Reflect on how you want to live your life Activity 11.5 relates to these points

Ten Steps for Early Career Success After Graduation

1. Know your talents and skills2. Seek a job you feel passionate about3. Determine the jobs and companies that

address the problems you have identified4. Find a mentor to guide and inspire you5. Study and learn all you can about your career

field

Ten Steps for Early Career Success After Graduation (Cont’d)

6. Commit to doing a great job7. Take excellent care of your physical and

mental health8. Avoid drugs and go easy on alcohol9. Stay positive and motivated10. Build a career portfolio of your

accomplishments

Should You Get a College Education?

• Good jobs today require more than a high school diploma

• Research studies show that a college degree decreases your chance of being unemployed and increases your likelihood of earning more than high school graduates

• A good education can open doors to the type of career you want

Activity 11.6 relates to these points

The Right Career• Can you answer yes to these

questions?1. Does this vocation support,

express and fulfill my mission?2. Does it allow me to use my best

talents and favorite skills?3. Does this work energize and

inspire me? 4. Am I passionate about it?5. Do I delight in doing this work?6. Do I love and do it well? If you answered “yes” you have

found the right career for yourself.

Summary of Main Points

• What you are doing in the present is creating and influencing what your life will be like in the future

• Seventy percent or more of all job openings are not advertised and are part of the hidden job market

• It is possible to create a job for yourself even where no job opening exists

• You will have found your true calling and vocation when you discover a mission you love fulfilling