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A job seeker discovers a previously hidden talent.
Well, here I am looking for meaningful employment. Seems like I'm almost always working...so during this time of not working I've had welcome time to think. It’s great! I should do this more often. (Think, I mean…Not be unemployed.)
And I’ve come to the conclusion that I don't want to do the same kind of work I've been doing. I've been working in offices for the better part of my working life. Shuffling papers, filing papers, making copies of papers... But I’ve got other skills too, and I'd like to try using them in a larger way in my next job.
I didn't really acknowledge I had unique skills until recently. Or that my skills were really valuable. Well, to me, yes! But are they valuable to other people? I mean, can I get paid for them? …don't know yet. Frankly, I’ve never put this set of skills on my resume in so many words. What would people think? Would employers really want to hire someone like me? Would doing something that I really like somehow disqualify me for “real” work? But it’s time for a change…so, I guess I’ll just blurt it out.
The skills I’m talking about are those of being supportive of other people. Sounds trivial, I know, but I think these are very desirable things. And they do make up a large part of my identity. For me, it’s different than being a good schmooser at networking events. More than being sociable at parties. More than being nice and sweet (although I have to admit, I think I am.) It’s being a cheerleader for people. (Now, put that picture right out of your head… I don’t do pom-poms!) But when a friend or fellow-worker has a pet project that they’re really into, I naturally find myself rooting for them, encouraging and supporting their efforts. And instantly, their endeavor becomes an important thing in my world too. I want to hear that they’re doing well, and encourage them when they're not. I want to get involved, roll up my sleeves, understand and help them if I can. And this type of thing happens over and over. It just comes naturally for me. Example: I have a friend who started learning all about investing about a year ago. I knew nothing of investing, and had little interest at that point in doing it myself, but as soon as my friend started talking about how into it he was becoming, I became more interested too. I asked him to explain it to me, and we talked ‘til the wee hours. I listened as he showed me all about his strategies, what he was learning from his successes and his mistakes. When we finally parted at 2:00 am, I encouraged him to keep up the good work, and keep me informed on his progress. Throughout the year, whenever I would think of my friend, I’d bless his investing endeavors. And encourage him in my prayers. Just the other day, I was elated to hear that one year later, he’s quit his day job and is now supporting his family with his investing. Isn’t that great? How cool is that? His persistent and diligent efforts are paying off. And I feel like I took that journey with him, in some small way. And I enjoyed cheering-on his progress. I have no way to measure how much help I might have been to him with my long-distance blessings and prayers, but he appreciated my encouragement when he was first starting out, and my delight to hear of his success now that he’s doing well. And the journey has been wonderful for both of us. This world can seem pretty uncaring. Wouldn’t it be great to have your own personal cheerleader? Two, Four, Six, Eight, Who do we APPRECIATE? You! You! YOU!! (Well, maybe without all the shouting and jumping around.) I don’t know what kind of a job I can get doing that, but I’ve had lots of experience. And my friends and co-workers know I care. That’s got to be worth something. This is the first blog of SEWjourner who will be sharing her experiences of finding the right fit for her next job.
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