Answer the Phone, Your Perfect Job is Calling!

Last week we took a look at the differences between a Job, a Career, and a Vocation. This topic has generated some incredible buzz over the last seven days, sparking some really spirited conversations. That is fantastic! That’s what a blog is supposed to do – make you think and motivate you to get involved in the discussion.

Click here to read Job Seeker Mysteries: Jobs, Careers and Vocations – Part 5

This week, I want to share a personal experience that happened last week and how it inspired me to write today’s blog.

The television station that I work for is the official TV partner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, which allows us to do some incredible things with the team during the year. Opportunities like taking clients onto the field before a game during warm-ups; traveling with the team on the team plane to away games; having players in our station to do the weekly Jaguars All Access show; and much more.

One of those unique events happened last week during the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Kickoff Luncheon with the Jaguars. 1,700 folks were invited to the Prime Osborne Center to meet the players, coaches, cheerleaders, and mascot of the Jags, to hear speeches from some of them plus team owner Wayne Weaver and Jacksonville’s Mayor John Payton. It was a “big time” event, to say the least.

One of the really cool aspects of the luncheon is that a player, coach or cheerleader sits at each table, giving attendees an up-close opportunity to meet and talk to someone involved with the team.

While some of the guys at our table were hoping for a member of the Roar cheerleadingsquad to join us, I wanted to meet and talk to one of the players. We were lucky enough to get the Jags 6th round draft pick Deji Karim at our table. Deji is in the Maurice Jones-Drew mold of a smaller but powerful running back. He’s about 5’9″ but more than 200 lbs and I can assure you, I do not want to ever try tackling him in the open field!

Deji is a very personable, bright and articulate young man who went to Southern Illinois but grew up in Oklahoma. He had a cast on his left hand, an injury he suffered in training camp. He made the team as a backup running back and kick returner, and will be back on the field soon. What inspired me about this chance meeting was the story he told about the day he was drafted.

Deji told us about the butterflies that were bursting out of his stomach as he watched the draft on day 1 – where rounds 1 and 2 took place. He didn’t think he’d get selected that high in the draft but just watching it on TV made him very nervous.

His agent had told him that it looked like he’d be a 2nd day pick and that he should be ready to answer the phone at anytime. Several gut wrenching hours went by as Deji, hung out with his family and friends waiting for the call that would definitely change his life.

Finally, late in the afternoon, he got a call from his agent saying that the Jags had him on their board and if he was available at pick #180 (6th round); they were going to select him. Deji knew if this happened that he would get to play alongside one of his idols, Maurice Jones-Drew, in a system that was perfectly built for his running style – basically a perfect match for his skill set!

His phone rang again and this time it was a member of the Jags management telling him to stand by, that the pick was going up to the podium. Deji hung on the phone for what seemed liked hours, but in fact, he said, it was 3-4 minutes. The card was handed to the commissioner and his name was read on live TV as millions of fans watched, along with the dozens of friends at his house. The party erupted with cheers and laughter as his name was called – Deji had just gotten his perfect job, and it seemed that the whole world was watching as it happened!

After he told us the story, I asked him why he thought the Jags decided to take him over the 4 or 5 other running backs that were chosen in that round. Deji said that he had great chemistry with the Jags coaches that he had talked with at the NFL Scouting Combine and on the phone. He said his head coach at Southern Illinois had several very meaningful discussions with the Jags coaches and management about him. And, he just felt that they trusted him to come into camp ready to work, to learn, and to dedicate himself to be a success for the team.

How does Deji’s story relate to you and your search for that perfect job? Think about it…you have worked hard to build a good reputation and an impressive resume in your field (or at least I hope you have!) – So has Deji. You give hiring managers specific examples of the work you are proudest of on your resume (or at least you should!) – Deji has hundreds of hours of game film for coaches to watch to see exactly what he does best. You have built a network of folks that support you and are working hard to introduce you to the right decision makers who can help you succeed (or you better be!) – Deji has scouts, an agent, and even his former head coach singing his praises to potential employers. Finally, Deji has dedicated himself to focusing on his perfect job, his dream job, and doing everything possible to make that dream a reality – you can do the same thing, once you know what your perfect job is and how to get it.

That’s where I come in. If you need help in figuring how what you were made to do and what truly is your life’s work, learning more about the VOWELS is a great place to begin the journey.

For more info please visit my website at www.BradRaney.com or www.ImproveYourVowels.com

Sincerely,

Brad Raney (www.BradRaney.com)

Brad Raney is a motivational speaker, life coach, author and sales trainer. He has over 25 years of experience in sales and sales management within the broadcast industry. Brad developed the VOWELS program in 2009 and the success it brought his sales team has spurred keynote speeches, workshops, seminars, a website, and his first book “Improve Your VOWELS, Improve Your Career!” which was released in July 2010.. Click here to order “Improve Your Vowels, Improve Your Career!: The A, E, I, O, U’s of Finding Your Perfect Job!” — Available Now!

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