Here is one of the biggest questions I get when people are on a job search.

“How do I find my passion?”

When you find yourself liberated from your job responsibilities and on a job search, you have some time on your hands to reconsider what you are doing with your career and you too may have asked yourself something like, “What is my life purpose?” or “Should I do something new with my career?” Loving what you do, and having complete passion for it will bring you the great rewards. If you currently have a hard time distinguishing between work and play, that is a good measure that you have passion for your current career. If not, it is not too late to discover your passion and purpose. You may have a particular gift that you were born with, a talent, or specific experience that is inspiring and engaging for you. Something that calls to you.

People ask me why I chose to become a Results Coach and I say, “I didn’t choose it, it chose me!” One day it became so obvious that this was what was calling me so I said “YES!”

Take some time and paper and write the answers to the questions below. It may become obvious to you too, or it may just plant a seed that will start to sprout and sign posts will suddenly start calling you “this way”.

If money were no problem, what would you do?

What is easy and effortless for you to do?

What has given you the most joy and satisfaction in your life?

What qualities do you admire in your roles models?

What area has been a constant challenge but you continually work at getting better at it. For example health, relationships, money, confidence, creativity…

What drives you that might benefit others? Typically an area where you are complimented and admired.

List your favorite hobbies and passions in life?

What is an area that you would like to be of service?

After answering those questions and you find something is calling you, ask yourself this important question. “Could I give my life to this?” If yes, you have found your passion and purpose in life. Now declare it and go do it!

In 2004, I gave my life to inspiring people to have great lives by declaring my commitment to it. The universe then started lining up people and events for me and I thank my lucky stars for having the courage to listen to that calling and follow it. At the bottom of this article is the personal declaration that I wrote in 2004 that led to my taking a Leap of Faith!

Before I make it look too easy let’s cover some important points

The process of following your heart can be like going out into the wilderness and roping in a wild horse. Are you prepared to do the hard work to make your passion your life’s work or do you just want to hold the image but not do the work?

You may fail before you succeed. We know how constraining the fear of failure is but, you may not realize that fear of success can be just as tough on you. Are you willing to learn from failure as you figure out how to be successful?

There are many examples in history of famous people not having the best reputation on their road to success. This includes quitting or getting kicked out of college, being fired, going bankrupt, and many went on to be wildly famous and successful. Did you know that before he became successful, Henry Ford went broke several times? Are you willing to risk what others might think or how you might be judged as you are on the road to success?

Bottom-line, the path to success it filled with hidden obstacles, do you have the tenacity, determination, and courage to get through them?

When you do find your passion and purpose and you are prepared to give your life to it, then go and do it. You’ll chuckle when you realize that it has been there all along, just waiting for you. When you can look at your life and see that you are truly living your passion and purpose, doors begin to open, people line up and impulses and events become in sync with what you are up to. Is there something you “should do”? Nope, it is all for your own enjoyment of your life. What if you don’t discover your passion and purpose? Keep looking as you joyfully go through life and sooner or later you will likely stumble upon it. It is never too late so when you do find it, go do it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Here is my Personal Charter written in 2004 before I ever knew I would be a Results Coach.

My purpose in life is to be an everyday hero for myself and others. Inspiring people to see their greatness and encouraging them to inspire others.

The values that are at the heart of who I am are:

• Love for the Human Spirit
• Generosity and Inspiration
• Freedom of Self Expression
• Courage to Play the Game of Life full out

What I can be counted on for is…

Be a source of love and compassion for all.

Be a stand for people being extraordinary and cause them to see the greatest vision they have for themselves.

Rise to the challenges of life with grace and celebrate the gift that life is.

This is who I am and what you can count on.

~Donna Fedor

June 2004

Recommended reading everyday of your search to ensure you are taking action on the following Smart Steps.

Your next job is out there waiting for you.

“Oh please, tell me where?” I can hear people saying!

Consider, your next job exists, in the mind of your next boss.

Right now, that job may be unclear, a persisting problem that will eventually require a new employee to solve, for example.

It may already have been defined and open right now, perhaps advertised on the company’s website.

In either case, the job you seek must first exist in the mind of a hiring manager before it can be filled by a person.

So, the more you can get the attention of the hiring managers, the more jobs you can be considered.

Here’s the story of one very smart job seeker who did just that. She met more hiring managers and was hired for a great job. A job that seemed like it was created just for her.

Here are some guidelines that Alice used on her successful job search.

Smart Step #1 - Clarity equals power

When Alice, from San Mateo, California found herself in the job market in February 2009, her first step was to decide exactly what she wanted to do in her next job.

“I knew I was looking for a Director of Marketing or a Public Relations position where I could use my skills in public speaking, writing, and sales,” said Alice.

Knowing what she wanted was the most important first step.

Most job seekers I’ve talked with, have only a slight idea of what they want to do and even when have some idea, when they describe it to me, it’s like a moving target.

Smart Step #2 - Shooting for a bulls-eye

Alice then spent a Sunday researching potential employers and made a target list of 20 companies she wanted to work for.

“I hunted online for people who could actually hire me, like a VP of Marketing or Corporate Communications, along with their email, mailing addresses and phone numbers,” she said.

Alice was smart to create a “specific job target list” and highlight the people with the authority to hire her. That is shooting for a bulls-eye.

Smart Step #3 – The Sales Letter versus the Cover letter

A Sales letter, not a cover letter. A sales letter, one that “sells” hiring managers on these important details:

• You know who they are
• You understand their problems
• You can help, with promises backed by specific results. You are the solution to their problem.

Make a list of your skills. Figure out where you were either saving money or increasing revenue. When you think about it, for example, the time you took that extra responsibility and revenues went up almost $100,000. That is a specific result.

Now. You might think you can’t come up with specific numbers or dollars. Yes, you can!

In any job you’ve held for more than a few months, you either contributed to increasing revenue or saved the company money. The numbers are there, if only you’ll look long and hard enough.

Many people think they can’t write a sales letter. Wrong again!

Start with various advertisements and save the sales letters that appeal to you. Do the same tomorrow and the next day. In three days, you’ll have a “swipe file” of examples you can borrow from to write your own sales letter to employers.

Whatever letter you do come up with will be brilliant compared to the average, boring cover letter.

Smart Step #4 - Follow up – yes - by a phone call!

This is essential. You must talk to people. It’s not enough to mail or email.

If you’ve put the time into choosing employers, targeting hiring managers, and writing a relevant sales letter, people should be willing to take your call, if only out of curiosity.

After mailing her 20 letters on a Monday, Alice called and got responses.

She called that Thursday and talked to five people. She was able to set up an interview with four hiring managers.

Smart Step #5 - Get the Offer

When Alice met with her first hiring manager, it was more of a business consulting discussion than an interview. That’s because Alice had positioned herself as the solution to a problem, rather than as a job seeker. She had good rapport from the beginning and shared her ideas and feedback as they discussed the problems she would be solving.

The employer said he was in a tough position because had more business than he’s ever had, and unless he brought in someone like Alice immediately, he had no idea how he was going to manage all of it.

Do you think the hiring manager was excited about Alice? You bet he was!

All businesses have problems, whether times are good or bad. They need help to either make more money or capitalize on the money they are making.

Bottom-line, your job is to research ideal employers, find out what help they need, offer to provide it, and prove you can deliver. That’s what Alice did.

How did all of this turn out?

“I was offered a position at the first company I interviewed with and it was the one I most wanted to work for. The whole thing took only 3 weeks.”

I have seen this type of job search, success story, and I encourage you to follow this very smart way to do a job search.

Again, I recommend you read this everyday of your search to ensure you are taking action on these Smart Steps.

Sharing a relevant post-

My friend Sue Connelly and MB Deans have collaborated on this post for KIT List (keep in touch) members and with the rapidly growing use of social networking for a job search, these tips, reminders, and really good warnings about using social media will assist you in using good judgment.

Between December, 2008 and January, 2009, traffic on LinkedIn grew by 22% in the US, while time spent on the site doubled. In spite of the furor over Facebook’s Terms of Service agreements, more professionals are using Facebook than ever before. Twitter, a microblog, is gaining popularity as a tool to help job seekers. The lines between social use of Web 2.0 and business or professional uses are blurring, especially as more and more people turn to technology to help them find jobs. Recruiters have used LinkedIn to research job candidates for a long time, but in 2007, 15% of the recruiters hiring college grads used Facebook to check into their backgrounds. Savvy companies use Twitter more and more to attract, research and recruit new employees. But the rules are still evolving and etiquette isn’t always clear. While these tools are very different from each other, there are some common-sense guidelines that can help you navigate these new waters successfully.

Seven Important Rules to Follow

1. Start first with LinkedIn. If you don’t know where to begin and Web 2.0 is all Greek to you, start with the granddaddy, LinkedIn. Create a free account and enter profile information.

2. If you’re an active online networker, assume the entire world is watching. Once those annoying party photos are posted you have no way of knowing who might have seen them. If you wouldn’t want to explain it to your boss, a prospective employer or your mom…

3. Be interesting. Post links or retweet information you found intriguing, entertaining and/or useful. Share generously and you shall be rewarded.

4. Set clear boundaries between your professional and personal lives. Make sure security settings are appropriate to protect personal information.

5. Don’t give away more information than you’re comfortable with. Listen to that little voice in your head. If you’re not sure you should post something — don’t do it!

6. Figure out and follow the etiquette of the group(s) you’ve joined. Lurk for a while until you understand the unwritten rules of how people communicate. Post carefully and be willing to take feedback gracefully if you violate group norms.

7. Always act professionally. Always. You know those old email rules warning you that no one can see your face, ready your body language, or hear the tone of your voice? They’re especially true in the instant-response world of social networking. Always take the high road.

8. Check what the world sees and hears about you. Search for yourself by name in Facebook and on Twitter, and see what comes up. While there’s no going back, do clean up what you can.

Top 5 Things Guaranteed to Turn Off Your Audience

1. Making it all about you. Nobody (outside of your mother and maybe your closest friend) cares what you ate for breakfast, whether the baby spit up last night, or whether your new puppy demolished your apartment.

2. Stalking someone else on line. Don’t harass someone; if they’re not interested in connecting with you, move on.

3. Broadcasting strong or controversial opinions to an audience you don’t know. In spite of the fact that you can watch worldwide tweets scroll down your screen in the writers’ native languages, you don’t know who’s out there reading. And it’s a small world.

4. Misrepresenting yourself. Another downside to having a global audience: the darnedest people will find you at the darnedest times. Claim something that’s not rightfully yours and you’ve damaged your credibility to all.

5. Posting inappropriate information about someone else. Listen to that little voice in your ear: could you explain it to your grandmother?

During your job search, find things that inspire you to think differently.

Below is a classic that if you have not heard or have not heard lately, will do just that. I have also included the lyrics below so you can read (or sing) along. Finding one “golden nugget” of inspiration is all you need. Make sure to write down your “golden nuggets” and put them in a place where you will see them often. Enjoy!

BAZ LUHRMANN’S
EVERYBODY’S FREE (TO WEAR SUNSCREEN)

Click here for the u-tube video and return to this page for the lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMsQ

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99

Wear Sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience
I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh nevermind,
you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you
and how fabulous you really looked,
you are not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts,
don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy, sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind,
the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults,
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life,
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t,
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40,
Maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary
What ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can, don’t be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Brother and sister together we’ll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you’ve been hurtin, but I’ve been waitin’ to be there for you
And I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings, they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard,
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
Maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia,
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen

Brother and sister together we’ll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you’ve been hurtin, but I’ve been waitin’ to be there for you
And I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Everybody’s free oh yeah
Everybody’s free oh yeah

Think about your answers than write them out as practice. Otherwise, you are liable to just open your mouth and let your first thought come rolling out. Preparation is key in this competitive market.

1. Tell me a little about yourself.

2. In your current job, who is the person you report to – and what are his or her responsibilities?

3. I’ve read the various accomplishments you’ve cited on your resume. But if you had to pick the single greatest contribution you have made to an employer, what would that be?

4. All of us have a combination of strengths and weaknesses. Can you tell me a shortcoming that affected your work performance and what you did to address it?

5. If I were to ask your fellow workers to describe you, what would they say?

6. Like people, companies are a mix of strengths and weaknesses. What are some of the things your present company could do to be more successful?

7. Tell me about some of the people you’ve hired in recent years, how they’ve worked out and what you did with any poor performers.

8. What risks have you taken in your current job, and what were the results?

9. When you have the kind of “drop-everything” crisis at work, what techniques do you use to enlist the help of others?

10. Setting aside compensation and perks (which we’d all like to have more of), what changes or improvements in your current work situation would make the job so attractive that you wouldn’t want to leave?

When you turn on the news and all you see is bad news about the economy and the job market, it is easy to become so anxious that you actually scare yourself into inaction. Don’t let that happen to you! There are great jobs out there to be had. Stay competitive, remain in action and working toward your goals each day, and one of those jobs WILL be your new job. Job searching does take time, even at the best of times, but by leveraging these 21 tips you will find yourself back to work faster than you thought possible.
Here are 21 tips that you can put into action today to speed your own job search and drive it to a fast, successful conclusion.

1. Set goals for your job search – There are 720 hours in 30 days. What are you going to do with the next 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, and 20 hours? You want to have a list of inspired actions to keep your job search moving forward I recommend you set manageable and motivating weekly goals. Your goals should be: Attainable while providing a challenge; Written; Specific; Stated in a positive way; Manageable; Measurable and trackable; Timed with a deadline.

2. Be clear about your focus - Knowing what YOU want, what YOU are passionate about, and what YOU bring to the table will provide you with a confidence that simply can’t and won’t be matched by many of your competitors in the job market.

3. Create and follow a multi-pronged job search plan – An effective job search campaign is one that includes the strategic, planned, methodical use of a variety of job search approaches.

4. Approach your job search as if it were a job itself - Get organized and create a system for managing your job search. At the very least, you need a calendaring system, a system of logging inter-related and follow-up activities, a contact management system, and a filing system.

5. Assemble a support team - You should build a support team around you of people who can help you stay motivated and on track while giving you honest feedback and helping you stay accountable to your goals. Group with only “Yay-sayers”. This is the time to limit your interaction with “Nay-sayers” It’s not good for you or them so you are doing them a favor by setting an example.

6. Develop and promote your personal brand – Personal branding differentiates you from your peers and helps to position you as a leader in your field. By knowing and promoting your brand, you achieve instant, precision-like focus that positions you as the ideal candidate for the specific type of opportunity that interests you. What are the top five things people would say about you? You want to know this and speak it so they know it too! Be proud of your reputation!

7. Prepare your success stories - Take the time to think about success stories. When stated in this format you can make a list with these three columns 0Challenge-Action-Result. This is most effective to share some of your greatest accomplishments that illustrate the strengths you want to highlight in your interview. What were the challenges you faced related to these accomplishments? What actions did you take to meet the challenge? What were the results when of the actions that you took? You will use these in your resume, during networking meetings, and in especially interviews.

8. Perfect your resume - Your resume is your first introduction to most employers, and your only chance to make a good first impression. Keep your resume up-to-date at all times. Rewrite your resume to convey and illustrate your unique value including accomplishments. This will differentiate you from others.

9. Cultivate your network - There is no more effective job search technique than networking. Make networking a part of your daily routine and plan to spend the majority of your job search time on networking activities. Learn to build rapport with people. Rapport is a relationship including trust and connection. Practice building rapport with different age groups so you can see how effectively you can get into their view of the world. Like a 5 year old or a teenager, then someone with different interests. Practice, Practice, Practice! You will get good at it and soon be able to build instant rapport with all different types of people.

10. Create and practice your introduction - You will hear the “what do you do?” or “tell me about yourself?” questions over and over and over and over. Preparation is the key to confidence and the key to making a lasting, positive, and memorable first impression. Be ready with a 30-60 second pitch that confidently conveys to the listener who you are as a professional and what your value proposition is.

11. Do your research - Take the initiative and identify the companies that you really want to work for. Determine where you would fit in their structure and what you have to offer them. Develop a proposal that clearly illustrates how you would deliver a return on their investment in hiring you. Now leverage your network to set up meetings with the hiring decision-maker at the companies.

12. Strengthen your industry contacts and knowledge - Informational interviewing is a great technique for almost everyone. Contact people who can tell you what is going on in the field, help you better understand the competitive landscape, describe for you what it is like to work in the field, and ideally point you in the right direction for the next person you may want to speak with.

13. Build your online presence - Creating and maintaining a blog on your area of career expertise is an extraordinary way to build your credibility and visibility. Business networking sites like LinkedIn and FaceBook are increasingly popular ways to expand your network. Consider writing articles on industry and profession-related topics. You can also participate in online discussions on topics related to your career focus.

14. Introduce yourself to headhunters - There are presently well over 15,000 recruiting offices in just the United States alone. Do a little research and determine which firms specialize in your industry of choice or positions like you are seeking. This small, segmented list is the one you should focus your time and attention on.

15. Be prepared for salary negotiations - Know your value and be able to clearly articulate the returns that an employer can expect from hiring you. Never forget that as an employee you are investment. It is up to you to know what your worth is, to make sure the potential employer is clear on what that is, and to make sure that they pay you the best possible price for your contributions.

16. Put together a strong list of references - Contact each person that you intend to list and ask for their permission. Never provide someone as a reference unless you have discussed it with them first and briefed them on your current job search. Verify the contact information for each reference and ask for permission to list a telephone number and email address. Only give out references when requested. Don’t put your references contact info on your resume.

17. Get out and meet people - Join and then take part in events held by professional associations and other groups. Attend workshops and trainings in your field or industry. Attend job fairs to meet directly with hiring decision-makers. Volunteer your career related skills in your community. If you are an expert at something, offer to speak on the topic to various groups.

18. Always follow up - A hand-written thank you note or a more formal, typed thank you letter can make a lasting positive impression that gives you a distinct competitive advantage. A follow-up phone call on every resume you send, whether it is a resume sent cold, in response to an ad, or based on a referral from one of your networking contacts can make all the difference in whether your resume is actually read and considered or not.

19. Adopt a “failure is not an option” attitude – Celebrate your accomplishments daily and weekly, but recognize that a successful job search requires persistence and consistent effort. It can be difficult to remain motivated when you don’t immediately see results but remind yourself that job searching is a process and that it takes time. Reward yourself not just for the results, but also for the effort.

20. Consider an “outside the box” solution to employment - If you are having trouble finding that one, perfect full-time position, consider a “portfolio” career that is built around a variety of part-time jobs, which may include some combination of employment, self-employment, freelancing, consulting, and temporary jobs. While many of us have been raised to believe that a full-time job is really the only secure work arrangement, a portfolio career may actually be more secure because it involves multiple streams of income.

21. Adjust your attitude - An enthusiastic, “can-do” attitude that exudes self-confidence and a clear understanding of the value you offer in the workplace will make all the difference. Always put a smile on your face when you talk on the phone; it will shine through in your voice. Make eye contact and watch your body signals and posture when you meet with contacts in person. Your positive, confident attitude is one that people will like to be around and will make it more likely that you will be hired.

Susan Boyle is a 47 year old volunteer church worker who aspires to become a musician. Life has not been easy for Susan and she has encountered her fair share of bumps along the road.  At birth, she was starved of oxygen and has learning difficulties as a result.  As a child, she was bullied, has never had a boyfriend nor has she ever been kissed.  She lived with her mother and father and cared for them due to their failing health. Her father passed away ten years ago and then her mother, just two years ago.

Susan’s mother had encouraged her to sing at the age of 12.  And so she began to sing.  And did she sing.  She would sing in front of her family,  friends and at church but never had the opportunity to perform beyond that.  Once her mother died, she couldn’t find the courage to sing any more.

That all changed on Saturday.

In front of 12 million TV viewers and a live audience, this shy, somewhat disheveled persona walked onto the stage of Britain’s Got Talent and she was greeted with heckles and smirks.  And then she began to sing. And did she sing.  She sang the most beautiful rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables.  Within seconds the audience was on their feet cheering, moved to tears and in awe of the beautiful voice that came out of this obscure yet charming woman.

Susan is not only a refreshing reminder of what the human spirit is capable of, but also the quiet embodiment of decency and compassion that this world is so in need of right now.

To view Susan Boyle’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent, click on the video below:

Welcome to Ignite Your Job Search

Our blog is dedicated to inspire you to reach for your best in your job search and in life!

I am truly inspired and grateful to the brilliant human beings that I have the privilege to  share this planet with!  That means you too! All the power there is, you already have inside of you!

Here is an example of a truly great thought leader. Consider what your life would be like if you began with his perspective of “morning”!

Morning… By Henry David Thoreau

Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me…

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.  I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium though which we look…

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

Henry David Thoreau, Walden