Job Seeker Mysteries: Jobs, Careers and Vocations – Part 5

Even though today is Labor Day and I’m not supposed to be “working”, I’m writing my weekly blog anyway. To me, this is not work – I do it because I enjoy helping others – for free! I am honored to have that opportunity and responsibility, and I hope my thoughts help you find your perfect job in the future.

First, let’s flash back to last week’s blog about the cover letter. It generated a lot of buzz and even some negative comments. Hey, that’s great – as long as we are engaged in a healthy debate, that’s good for all of us!

I do want to address a couple of comments about me mentioning my book in the middle of the blog. Yes, I do have a very fast selling book on the market and yes, the VOWELS are changing lives every single day. However, if you have questions or comments about the topics we cover here, you can always reach out to me at absolutely no charge. I am on Facebook and LinkedIn, or you can email me at brad@improveyourvowels.com.

If you want to buy my book, fantastic – if you don’t but are curious about something I have said, please take a few minutes and hit me up on one of those channels. I’m here to help you in any way I can – period!

I am on a mission to help as many people as possible find their perfect job – you can do it and I can help you; whether you buy the book or not.

Now, do you know the difference between a “job”, a “career” and a “vocation”?

Those of you who have seen one of my workshops, seminars, or keynote speeches know that I spend a great deal of time in breaking down the definitions of each of the VOWELS. I do that so that we can truly understand what Attitude, Energy, Effort, Integrity, Intensity, Outlook, and Uniqueness mean – which makes it easier to incorporate the tenets into our daily lives.

Let’s try the same philosophy with “job”, “career” and “vocation.”

First, a “job” is defined as being “an occupation; the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money; the responsibility to do something.” So having a “job” is a pretty basic function in life – you do it to earn money and to provide for you and/or your family. Nothing wrong with having a job, but there’s nothing in the definition that shows any uniqueness, creativity or passion.

A job pays the bills – that’s it.

Next, a “career” is defined as being “an occupation for which you are trained; general progression of your working or professional life; a course or progress through life.” Career actually comes from a French word literally meaning “a race”.

There’s obviously more to a having a career than just having a job but for many Job Seekers I have met in the last year, their “career” has been a series of jobs in the same industry. Few have called their “career” a solid progression or a true use of their talents.

Having a career is better than having just a job, but if a career is really a “race” toward some end goal or finish line, are you in a sleek, aerodynamic Formula 1 machine or are you driving a ’71 Ford Pinto with no A/C or radio? Sounds like you need more than just a series of jobs to define your career race – you are built to do more than that, but you won’t find the right race team to join until you ask yourself some tough questions.

And that leads us to “vocation”, the definition reads “an occupation to which a person is specifically drawn or for which they are suited, trained, or qualified; a calling; a way of life rather than a particular job.” It comes from a Latin word that means “to call.”

Wow!! Stop and read that again, I’ll wait….

A “calling”, are you working in a vocation? Or are you 20 years into a series of jobs? Perhaps you have had some success and have progressed somewhat in your career but are you truly happy with what you do?

If you can say that you have been specifically drawn to your occupation that it is your way of life that you, like me today, don’t consider what you do “work” – then you are a very lucky and rare individual. Congratulations on igniting your passion and finding your perfect job!

However, if you can’t say that yet about your work life, then contact me and let me help you define where you are now and where you want to go in life. Then, you can get that magical “green line” to appear that will map your journey to finding your true “vocation.”

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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