How To Find That New Meaningful Job That’s Waiting For You

Disclaimer: The content published here is the contribution of Timothy J. McClimon,which was originally published in Career News-Forbes. The content was copied and reposted here for educational purpose only. The blogger shall not own right over the original content of Forbes Career nor uses it for commercial use.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Reynold Levy, author of Start Now: Because That Meaningful Job is Out There, Just Waiting for You, for LeadersCafe, a leadership development program organized by alumni of the American Express Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is a global training program that focuses on emerging, high-potential leaders in the nonprofit and social sectors.

As a business executive, nonprofit manager, professor, trustee, consultant and author of five books, Levy has extensive experience as both a chief executive officer, personal career counselor and mentor to hundreds of leaders (including me). However, this is the first time that Levy has shared his career advice with a broader public – in this case, young emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector.

Start Now argues that the best time to look for a new job is when you are securely settled in another one, and the absolute worst time to look for a job is when you need one. Finding meaningful work is not a hobby or extracurricular activity. It requires building networks of active relationships, disciplined research, self-reflection, deliberate practice, hustle and persistence.

Levy’s recommendations are particularly relevant to the nonprofit sector now. Nonprofits face significant demands as they contend with major societal and environmental challenges, including the current health crisis, racial inequality and climate change. And, the need for strong leadership to help guide organizations has never been more critical.  

During the course of our interview, Levy asserted that too many people get stuck in their daily routines. They stop reading, traveling and meeting new people. Their lives become insulated and narrower over time, so when they start to look for another job or more meaningful work, they find themselves unprepared to engage in the kind of networking and information gathering that’s needed to compete.

These issues can be especially present during a global pandemic, but Levy believes that now is actually a good time to expand your networks, reconnect with former colleagues and friends, and reach out to people who might normally be unapproachable. He challenged the young leaders on the call to spend the time that they would normally be commuting to work reading, writing, exploring a new idea or reaching out to a new colleague.

In this regard, one of Levy’s pearls of wisdom is that relationships are like ATMs. You can’t just make withdrawals – you have to also make deposits. These deposits can take the form of personal notes to celebrate someone’s accomplishments, or to recognize a friend’s gift to a charity, or simply to say hello. Never underestimate your ability to helps others, to make a difference, to give to one another. 

On the subject of interviewing, Levy asserts that the job of an interviewee is to turn the interview into a conversation. This requires an enormous amount of research in advance, especially about the person or persons who will be conducting the interview. What are their interests and accomplishments? What are three or four things that you want a prospective employer to know about you at the end of the interview, and what are three or four things that you want to know? 

Most importantly, why is it that you want this job? This can sometimes be the most difficult question to answer, so you should have one prepared and rehearsed. Try your answer out on a friend or spouse. Do they think it’s persuasive, compelling, unique? 

Lastly, Levy admits that finding a meaningful job or career can often be a matter of luck and serendipity. But, being able to seize opportunities that are presented to you can often be more important than the best laid plans. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in different situations with unfamiliar challenges. The best careers (mine included) are usually the result of grabbing an opportunity, not following a well-defined path. Start to find that opportunity now – it’s never too early or too late.

You can find original article here Forbes Career