MaggieMistal.com SOUL SEARCH CAREER CONSULTANT
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S O U LSEARCH
C A R E E R C O N S U LTA N T
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Congratulations on taking the first step toward your ideal career!
With the following Soul Search exercises you will uncover the elements that make up your
ideal career including:
r What Interests You/Your Passions
r Your Key Motivators
r The Skills You Want to Employ
r The Purpose You Most Want in Your Work
r Your Top Strengths & Talents
r Your Best Qualities
r Your Best Work Environment
r What You Most Enjoy Doing
r Salary and Benefit Requirements
By working through the exercises in this workbook you will learn and discover what’s most
important to you in your career, access key elements and brainstorm career possibilities
that match those elements, creating your ideal career.
The insights from each exercise are designed to correspond with a section of your very own
career guide. This way after you complete each one, you can easily organize the information
to be able to make sound career decisions and to brainstorm various ways to combine the
elements into new and exciting career possibilities.
Remember, as you work on each exercise, do not censor yourself. It is crucial that you be
as honest as possible about what you really want, even if you’re not sure how you’ll get it.
Effective Soul Searching is about identifying your true goals and dreams for your life
and career. Don’t hold back! These are your dreams, listen to your soul and uncover your
ideal career.
There will be plenty of time to Research how to make your dream career a reality once
you’ve reached that stage of the process.
Time to get started with your Soul Search!
SOUL SEARCH WORKBOOK
Freedom lies in being bold. —Robert Frost
2
WHAT INTERESTS YOU?
Often we have limited exposure to the myriad of fields, industries and functions in which we could
have a career. To help expand your possibilities, read the list below and 7 those most of
interest. Then rank your top 5. Make your selections not based on your skill level or ability to
land a job in that area but purely based on interest.
7
Homes
Decorating
Real Estate
Landscaping/Gardening
Construction
Architecture
Travel
Language & Culture
Hospitality/Tourism
Photography
Healing
Healthcare
Diet and Nutrition
Health and Wellness
Exercise/Fitness
Sports
TV/Film/Video
History
Event Planning
Project Management
Research & Investigation
Universities/Higher Ed
Entertainment
Design
Consulting
Law
Maintenance/Repair
Training and Education
Science
Environment
Counseling
Farming
Social Services
Spirituality
Green/Clean Energy
Oil & Gas
Internet/Web
Fashion
Accessories
Beauty/Cosmetics
Clothing
Safety/Security
Inventing
Politics
7
Marketing
Non-profits
Arts
Museums
Recreation
Nature
Animals/Pets
Gifts
Toys/Games
Religion
Logistics
Entertaining
Automotive
Engineering
Trades
Music
Writing
Publishing
Children
Customer Service
Sales
Retail/Merchandising
Media/Social Media
Public Relations
Public Speaking
Communications
Community Development/Outreach
Human Resources
Finance/Accounting
Technology
Business Operations
Management/Leadership
Organization Development
Strategy
Philosophy
Personal Development
Business: Information
Business: Products
Business: Services
Financial Services
Career Development
Food: Eating, Cooking or Baking
Fundraising/Philanthropy
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EXAMPLES + + =
Project Management Environment Construction
Weatherizing buildings
and homes for
energy efficiency
Food Farming MarketingPromoting local
growers
Writing Travel Social MediaOnline travel writer
and/or blogger
Children Museums Education
Arts educator
promoting learning
thru the Arts
Healing Nutrition Event Planning Organic catering
Brainstorm new possibilities for yourself by combining your fields of interest, such as…
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
People are often stuck in jobs too small for their souls.—Thomas Leonard
4
IDEAL CAREER MOTIVATORS
Work Environment
• Rapid pace
• Thought-provoking/problem-solving work
• Frequently changing work or work setting
• Thrills and/or exhilaration built
into the job
• Low pressure work setting
• Little margin for error,
demanding standards
• Camaraderie/many friends at work
• Job security assured
• Constant people interaction on the job
• Predictable routine and work duties
• Work outside
MOTIVATORS
Motivators give us energy and allow us to look forward to going to work everyday. When you have
your top motivators built into your career, you don’t have to make yourself “motivated”, it comes
naturally, even on challenging days.
Work Rewards
• Impress others/gain respect
• Acknowledgement as an expert
• Acknowledgment for good work
• Progression of opportunities and seniority
• Recognition for link to a group or field
• Know my work is bettering the world
• Beneficial to my community/neighborhood
• Live where I want
• Accumulated wealth
• Meaningful work on significant ideas
• Well-paid and can live the lifestyle I wish
Work Approach
• Autonomous, self-directed schedule
• Ability to express expertise
and competence
• Opportunities to innovate and experiment
• Physically demanding work
• Exacting work requiring attention to detail
• Knowledge-focused work, pursuing truth
• Study/appreciate beauty as part of work
• Work unaided, on my own
• Directly supporting others
1-on-1 or in groups
• Match up against others/competitive
• Produce or invent original work products
• Creativity through artistic projects
• Part of a team with a common goal
• Recurrent risk-taking
• Travel as part of work
Leadership
• Work on leading edge of field/area
• Shape others’ views and attitudes
• Have the final say on matters/decisions
• Have power or authority over others
• Contribute through others, manage
To determine your top motivators, consider the following categories, circling the most
motivating for you within each. When complete, go back through your selections and rank
your top five motivators overall in the section provided.
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RANK YOUR TOP 5 MOTIVATORS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If you’re not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.—Vince Lombardi
6
BEING CREATIVE IN YOUR IDEAL CAREER
Creativity is something most people want in their ideal careers yet they often express creativity in
different ways. Let’s get specific about what being creative really means to you.
This exercise will help you further clarify your creative skills.
Rate each creative skill 1 to 5—1 being unimportant and 5 being essential
(even if you don’t possess these skills today).
ARTISTIC
1 2 3 4 5 Doing things skillfully and tastefully
1 2 3 4 5 A keen sensitivity to visual appeal
ARTFUL
1 2 3 4 5 Making or doing things that display form, beauty, and unusual perception;
art includes painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, drama, dance, etc.
1 2 3 4 5 Expressing art within any craft, trade or profession
COLORIST
1 2 3 4 5 Using colors creatively in painting, decorating, floral arrangements, clothing, etc.
WRITER
1 2 3 4 5 Painting a picture with words
1 2 3 4 5 Writing to entertain others through poetry, plays, novels, etc.
1 2 3 4 5 Writing as a way to express ideas, concepts, processes, etc.
1 2 3 4 5 Writing as a way to educate, inform, or entice
EXPRESSIVE
1 2 3 4 5 Conveying feelings and thoughts through body, face, or voice tone as in acting,
public speaking, teaching, dancing, etc.
1 2 3 4 5 Conveying feelings and thoughts through artistic media such as painting,
drawing, photography, etc.
PERFORMER
1 2 3 4 5 Enacting or presenting a piece of music, dramatic role, dance, etc.,
in front of an audience
1 2 3 4 5 Overcoming obstacles in accomplishing or bringing things to completion
SPEAKER
1 2 3 4 5 Expressing or communicating feelings, ideas, opinions, etc., by talking
1 2 3 4 5 Making a speech or delivering a lecture in public
COMMUNICATOR
1 2 3 4 5 Giving or sharing information or ideas by talk, gestures, writing, etc.
DESIGNER
1 2 3 4 5 Making original plans, designs, or patterns and carrying these out in a skillful way
1 2 3 4 5 Fashion or decorating
1 2 3 4 5 Crafts or artistic projects
1 2 3 4 5 Architecture and structural design of buildings, gardens, communities, etc.
want to
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1 2 3 4 5 Electronics, devices, gadgets, etc
1 2 3 4 5 Software programs, information systems, etc
EXPERIMENTAL
1 2 3 4 5 Testing or trying anything to discover new properties
1 2 3 4 5 Testing to discover whether something is effective, workable, valid, etc.
INVENTIVE
1 2 3 4 5 Thinking or devising something in your mind
1 2 3 4 5 Producing a new device, process, product, etc.
1 2 3 4 5 Originating by experimenting
EDITOR
1 2 3 4 5 Preparing articles, journals, letters, etc., for publication
1 2 3 4 5 Preparing film, tape, or recordings for presentation
1 2 3 4 5 Making changes in written materials or computer files
1 2 3 4 5 Correcting and revising others’ written work
CONCEPTUAL
1 2 3 4 5 Formulating new ideas and thoughts
1 2 3 4 5 Asking original questions
1 2 3 4 5 Giving birth to new ways of doing things
1 2 3 4 5 Envisioning mathematical calculations, equations, and theorems
IMAGINATIVE
1 2 3 4 5 Creating mental images or creating new images or ideas
1 2 3 4 5 Making up stories
IMPROVISATIONAL
1 2 3 4 5 Being resourceful in dealing with new or unusual experiences
1 2 3 4 5 Composing or simultaneously composing and performing on the spur of the moment
1 2 3 4 5 Improvising the solution to a problem, as camping when you have left
some of the equipment at home
1 2 3 4 5 Figuring out a way of doing things without the right equipment, tools, etc.,
to fill an unforeseen and immediate need
ADAPTIVE
1 2 3 4 5 Making things fit or suitable by changing or adjusting them
1 2 3 4 5 Being flexible, adjusting yourself to new, changing, or changed circumstances
COMPOSER
1 2 3 4 5 Creating musical, dance, or literary works
1 2 3 4 5 Putting things together in proper order or form
1 2 3 4 5 Producing printed or visual matter by computer or photo-composition
DEVELOPER
1 2 3 4 5 Making things stronger or more effective
1 2 3 4 5 Building up or expanding a business or industry
1 2 3 4 5 Elaborating musical themes
1 2 3 4 5 Adapting or creating recipes or menus
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TEACHER
1 2 3 4 5 Showing or helping a person how to do something or how to develop a skill or trait
1 2 3 4 5 Presenting knowledge, ideas, or insight so others can grasp it
TRAINER
1 2 3 4 5 Guiding the mental, moral, or physical development of children or adults
1 2 3 4 5 Conditioning animals to perform tricks or obey commands
1 2 3 4 5 Creating exercises or practices to help people bring about their desired
condition or way of doing things
BEING CREATIVE IN YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued
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Now rank the top 5 creative skills that you most want in your ideal career
—1 being your top way.
Artistic
Expressive
Designer
Conceptual
Composer
Artful
Performer
Experimental
Imaginative
Developer
Colorist
Speaker
Inventive
Improvisational
Teacher
Writer
Communicator
Editor
Adaptive
Trainer
There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less. —Kurt Hahn
10
Are there any issues/causes you are most passionate about?
Causes... Environment
r Oceans
r Clean air
r Forests
r Recycling
Education Reform
Child Care Reform
Prison Reform
Abuse
r Spouse Abuse
r Elderly Abuse
r Child Abuse
Animal Rights
Civil Rights
r Women’s Rights
r Children’s Rights
r People of Color
r Gay Rights
World Peace
World Hunger
Gun Control
Hazardous Wastes
Public Awareness
Political Causes
r Local
r National
r International
Other:
Other:
Though causes are important, they are not the only way to have an impact. Even just having fun can
make a difference. Answer the questions and place a 3 on the line and in the boxes below
to determine the ways you most want to make a difference with your work.
Counseling other people regarding... Relationships
Career/employment
Emotions
Spiritual Development
Self-Esteem
Physical Limitations
MAKING A DIFFERENCE YOUR WAY
If you want to have impact and meaning in your work, it’s important that you identify how you want
your work to make a difference.
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Support children in... Learning (tutoring, etc.)
Building Self-Esteem
Child Care Facilities
Fun Activities
Arts and crafts
Theater, Dance, Music
Competitive Sports
Living with Handicaps
Supporting the elderly in... Quality of Care
Quality of Life
Travel and Entertainment
Employment
Transportation
Self-Esteem
Grief Management
Financial Concerns
Health and Exercise
Arts and Crafts
Theater, Dance, Music
Training and teaching... Conflict Resolutions
Team Building
Entrepreneurship
Intrapreneurship
Life Skills
Work Skills Development
Classes and Workshops for Personal Growth
Getting tangible results... Completion of any Project
Building or Repairing Physical Objects
Setting and Achieving Goals
Creating... Creating New Products
Creating New Services
Creating Ideas
Creating Business Plans
Creating Presentations
Starting a New Business
Bringing any New Project or Idea into Being
Creativity and beauty... Sculpture
Painting, Drawing, Sketching
Photography
Theater, Dance, Music
Fashion/Personal Appearance
Landscaping
Architecture
Writing and other Creative Expressions with Language
Crafts
Other...
The age group that appeals most:
r Toddlers
r Elementary
r Middle School
r High School
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.—Carl Bard
12
What we complain about can also give us clues to our purpose.
What do you complain about the most?
Is that something you would like to do something about?
If yes, what would you like to do about it?
Do you want to make a difference in these areas?
Quality of service/products... Quality Service (Provided, any kind of business)
Sales Ethics
Management Style
Quality Control
Truth in Advertising
Details and organization... Setting up a New System
Handling Details Accurately and Efficiently
Organizing and Bringing Order
Developing Policies and Procedures
What makes life worth living?
Family and friends... Giving Love
Raising Children
Giving Support and Understanding
Spending Quality Time Together
Fun... Toys, Games, Activities
Travel Adventure
Computer, Video, Virtual Reality
Entertainment/Entertaining
Other...
What 3 gifts of wisdom about life would you give to those that came to you?
1.
2.
3.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE YOUR WAY, continued
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FROM ALL THE PREVIOUS OPTIONS, SUMMARIZE YOUR TOP 5 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS...
Is the life I am living the life that wants to live in me?—Parker Palmer
14
This exercise will help you clarify your strengths.
Place a “+” next to your strongest skills, place a “-“ next to your weakest skills.
If a skill falls in the middle or if you are unsure, leave it blank.
Monitor, detect or perceive
Envision, theorize or discover
Estimate, measure or evaluate
Assess, examine logically or analyze
Look into, probe, research or investigate
Bring together, combine, unite or conceptualize thoughts
Use creativity, decorate or design
Perceive instinctively, intuit, show insight or have forethought
Use creative ability, take photos, paint or sculpt
Charm, entertain, perform, act, dance or sing
Compose, revise, interpret, translate or review written works
Care for, minister to, make well, mend, heal or help others recuperate
Mentor, empower, coach, lead or listen to others
Host, delight, satisfy, make at home or attend to customers
Dexterous, showing skill with use of your body, hands, or mind
Resolve conflict, mediate or bridge together people
Educate, teach, train, enlighten or clarify for others
Put into practice, monitor, systematize, speed up or schedule
Advise, consult, give your opinion or persuade
Forecast, appraise or estimate numerical information
Manage others, delegate, direct, supervise or motivate
Persuade somebody to buy, negotiate, convince, or promote
Speak publicly, debate, promote, communicate or lobby
Account for, budget, encode or classify financial data
Attend to detail when copying or transcribing
Tally, calculate, compare or keep track of numbers
Initiate, anticipate or create change
Direct, set objectives and focus, plan or make decisions
Arrange, sort, update, classify or organize information
Organize and arrange social, recreational or other group activities
YOUR TOP STRENGTHS
We often take our skills for granted mistakenly believing that if something comes easily for us, it
must come easily for everyone else. Not true. It’s important that you value and appreciate what you
do well and recognize that not everyone possesses your unique set of strengths.
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SUMMARIZE AND RANK YOUR TOP 5 STRENGTHS FROM THE LIST...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS...
Everybody is a genius but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.—Albert Einstein
16
Ask as many people as you’d like to complete the questions below. Read over the responses,
then choose the feedback you would like to incorporate in the elements of your ideal career.
Highlight those responses in the sections to the right.
This needs to be emailed to people to complete it for the Coachee.
Dear (former colleagues, friends, family member)
I would like your feedback and support.
Thank you in advance for your honesty and participation!
1. What are my finest abilities, talents and traits?
2. How would you describe my presence?
What word(s) best describe the impression I made on you/make on others?
3. In your opinion, what career might be the best fit for me?
4. Do you see him/her having their own business? If so, what kind?
5. How have I brought up ideas, thoughts, and/or inventions to you?
Please describe.
6. Skills and experience aside, what type of ideal career do you think is right for me?
7. Long-term, what do you see my life and career being like years from now—5, 10, 20?
(Please share your first name and how we know each other.)
CAREER FEEDBACK & SUPPORT
Those close to us can often offer clues to our ideal careers. They can mirror back to us the
impressions we make, the types of conversations we tend to have, and the ideas or thoughts
we focus on.
Here’s your chance to gain insight from people you trust—former colleagues, friends, family
members—people who know you well from different facets of life.
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CAREER FEEDBACK & SUPPORT RESULTS PER QUESTION
Your best skills, abilities, talents and traits
Your presence
Type of career you are best suited for
Type of business you would own
Your ideas, thoughts, inventions
Ideal career
Your life in 5, 10, 20 years
Other relevant and important insights
The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself.—George Bernard Shaw
18
WHAT’S THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF YOUR CAREER?
In your ideal career you get to take the actions you want to move forward the values you believe
in and help the people, things, fields or groups that matter to you. You have it all. To get to
this point, you need to articulate for yourself (and others) what this overarching goal is for your
career—your purpose statement.
My purpose is to do these three activities consistently because they are exciting and
powerful to me:
My purpose is to forward this one value (or two) that I most believe in and care about:
My purpose is to help, serve, affiliate with, learn from and/or impact the interest,
group or cause that most excites or moves me:
Cause: Child welfare, organ donation, politics, the environment, equality of gender, race, diversity, etc.
Group: People or specific groups such as children, elderly, teens or animals, veterans, the homeless, etc.
Field: Media, travel, pop culture, cooking, technology, business, fashion, art, etc.
MY PURPOSE IS TO
(Your three activities),
(Your core value(s))
TO, FOR OR WITH
(Your group, cause or field).
Teach
Share
Lead
Speak
Inspire
Communicate
Claim
Create
Give
Enthuse
Dream
Educate
Connect
Entertain
Present
Love
Participate
Identify
Receive
Practice
Master
Manifest
Improve
Understand
Refine
Worship
Value
Sell
Trade
Write
Support
Reform
Heal
Nurture
Organize
Produce
Illuminate
Launch
Model
Motivate
Pursue
Deliver
Consider
Construct
Enlist
Further
Gather
Drive
Discover
Build
Brighten
Advance
Compel
Complete
Associate
Translate
Travel
Utilize
Validate
Verbalize
Work
Persuade
Keep
Improvise
Praise
Evaluate
Defend
Etc.
Creativity
Beauty
Service
Justice
Freedom
Family
Equality
Power
Joy
Abundance
Wisdom
Balance
Love
Order
Peace
Unity
Wholeness
Integrity
Security
Etc.
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EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND/OR ADDITIONAL ITERATIONS OF YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT...
MAGGIE MISTAL’S PURPOSE STATEMENT
“To educate, persuade and inspire creativity, service and justice for all people
who are unhappy in their careers.”
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PART 1
Day in the life guidelines:
• Write your vision in the present tense as if it’s already happening.
• Include all the elements of your ideal career, make it detailed. Refer to your outcomes
from the previous exercises to add in your motivators, ways to be creative and ways to make a
difference for example.
• Don’t hold back. You can have all the success, accolades, work life fit, income, support
opportunity, etc. that you want in YOUR vision. Go for it! You have all your key career elements.
EXAMPLE DAY IN THE LIFE WHERE YOU CAN SEE DETAILS NOT ONLY ABOUT A DAY IN THE LIFE AT WORK
BUT FINANCIALLY AS WELL AS INCLUDING WORK LIFE FIT.
I am a fulltime consultant. I work, and have worked, with dozens of colleges, universities and
non-profits to help these groups connect their students, alumni, faculty, staff, clients and
prospective partners with the missions of their organizations.
I am well-respected among these groups and am known as a knowledgeable, thoughtful and
hard-working. My clients enjoy working with me and support my success. When at on-site jobs,
I wear a suit and heels. When working from home, I enjoy jeans and sweats. It’s a nice mix.
I am financially comfortable and contribute 50% or more of my family’s income. I am able to live
with my family in our relaxed, attractive, well-maintained home. We pay our bills easily and on time,
have more than adequate retirement savings and can send our children to good colleges.
My family is happy and healthy. With a flexible schedule that I control, I have time to attend games,
plays and parent-teacher conferences and I run personal errands as needed. My family eats dinner
together almost every night, and we travel together several times each year to explore new places
and relax on vacation. My husband and I have at least two out-of-house date nights each month,
and I walk, hike or move about in some way 5 days each week.
I make time for my friends and family—I know what is going on in their lives and I enjoy spending
time with them. I try new things, like tennis lessons or photography classes, two times each year.
I am happy.
DAY IN THE LIFE
In order for your ideal career to become a reality, you need to start by envisioning a day in the life
when you are actually in your ideal career. This vision will then enable you to take the corresponding
steps and make the right decisions to get from where you are today to your dream career.
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PART 2
Now go further and draft an hour by hour vision. What time do you get up? What do you wear?
What do you do hour by hour in your day? Write your day in the life with the details that matter most
to your happiness.
It’s ( )am, I awake and get started in my day with...
One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.—Helen Keller
22
WHERE YOU WANT TO WORK
At what size employer (if you want to work for someone else):
r Less than 10 employees
r 10 –100 employees
r 100-500 employees
r 500 or more employees
In what setting:
r Inside (at an employer’s office or your own home office)
r Outside (work outside or be out-and-about as normal course of work)
r Some inside and outside
Urban area, town or rural location:
r A large city
r A medium-sized city
r A small town
r A rural area
Geography:
r US West
r US East
r US South
r US North
r Internationally (where?)
HOW YOU WANT TO WORK
As an entrepreneur, would you:
r Work alone
r Work with a small team of several others
r Prefer it be a small company
r Prefer it be a major company
Percentage time spent traveling for work:
r None
r <25%
r 25-50%
r >50%
When do you do your best work:
r Under pressure
r With no time pressure
What’s your ideal schedule:
r Structured (determined by you or someone else?)
r Unstructured
WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED WORKSTYLE?
The very practical details of your ideal career matter such as where you work, how you work and with
whom you work. Read the options below and 3 those that best match your preferred workstyle.
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If you had 100% control over your time, what daily and weekly schedule would provide
you the optimal work life fit?
r 9a – 5p Daily
r Other start and end time (what times? )
r 5 days per week
r Compressed workweek (which days off? )
How much variety do you prefer:
r Work duties that change often, in which there is a great deal of variety
r Work duties that are fairly routine and unchanging
WITH WHOM OR WHAT YOU WANT TO WORK
Do you prefer to work with:
r Ideas—use information and/or imagination to formulate thoughts, concepts, interpretations
or plans. A scientist may have an idea for a hypothesis, a writer puts ideas into words,
and a teacher assimilates and organizes ideas and presents to students.
r Things—using tools, such as scissors or a screwdriver; or machines, such as computers
or bulldozer; or your hands or body, as in dance or pottery. When you prefer working with
things, using tools or machines or your body is the crux of your work.
r People—relating to people on all levels, such as taking orders and serving food, meeting
together to complete a project, selling a product or device, or guiding others toward a goal.
r Data—working with numbers, symbols, formulas, words and maps. An attorney investigates
to obtain information to defend a client, an accountant records and computes numbers,
and a engineer creates designs and materials using mathematical formulas.
Which area(s) of business most interest you:
r Marketing/Promotion
r Sales
r Administration
r Operations
r Production
r Service
r Coordinating all the above
Do you enjoy contact with people?
r A lot of contact with people
r Very little contact with people
Do you enjoy working in a group?
r I like having others to bounce ideas off of and work together towards a goal
r I prefer to work alone
Preferred people/company culture:
r Like-minded people
r Diversity of viewpoints
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Given your choices from the previous list, what are you top five workstyle preferences that you
most want in your ideal career?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED WORKSTYLE?, continued
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Add the Personal Touch To Your Elevator Pitch
There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1) The nervous and 2) Liars.—Mark Twain
At this point in the process, you’re going to need to start articulating to others what you’re looking
to do as a result of your Soul Search. An elevator pitch is very useful here (and you’ll see it again
under Job Search.) But creating an elevator pitch scares most people. To get over the fear, I’ve
uncovered a powerful secret—the personal touch. Adding it will not only make it easier for you to
create your pitch, but it will also make it easier for others to remember you.
What do I mean by the personal touch? Here’s an example.
“Hi, my name is Julie. I am looking for an internship in the food industry. As a kid I loved
cooking with my grandmother. I wrote down all of our favorite recipes. This year, I published it
as a holiday gift for the whole family. My grandmother cried. Hearing you speak about your work
at the Food Network today inspired me. I’d love to learn more about how you got to where you
are today. Are you open to a short informational interview?”
You don’t have to put on a show. Just be yourself and share your story.
I spoke to a group of students with a key-note speech focused on networking strategy and making
authentic connections. I shared with them Julie’s elevator speech with the personal touch and had them
write their own versions. After writing for a few minutes, several volunteers shared their stories. After
each pitch, I asked the audience what they heard. In every case, it was the personal detail that stuck,
not the person’s major or their litany of qualifications but his/her personal story. When we finished the
room was abuzz with energy. We were not only getting pitched, we were making real connections.
In the space provided answer these questions to add the personal touch to your elevator speech:
• What’s your name?
• What do you do/do you want to do?
• What life experience led you to want to do this?
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• What do you want the audience to do to help you?
Too often I find clients leave out important details when telling their career stories. They downplay
successes because they don’t want to brag or they’re too busy recounting their “hard skills” to share
the heartfelt reason they have this career aspiration in the first place.
In today’s world where information is easy to find, the way to stand out is to be authentic.
I was put on the spot by the students and asked what my elevator pitch was. I immediately thought
of the real reasons I do what I do...
“Hi my name is Maggie. I’m a Life Purpose and Career coach. My Mom went back to medical
school when I was 6, my sister was 5 and my brother was 10. I learned firsthand that it’s never
too late to follow your dreams. Today I help others Soul Search, Research and Job Search into
their dream careers. If you want to make a career change, contact me.”
There’s no need to stammer the next time someone asks, “What do you want to do?”
Answer the questions above and you’ll create your pitch. You’ll not only inform but also make
the real connections necessary to reach your career goal.
They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.—Carl W. Buechner
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SALARY REVIEW
HAVING THE CAREER YOU WANT ALSO MEANS ALSO HAVING THE SALARY/ INCOME YOU WANT.
What is your ideal salary/Income range per year?
Based on your current situation, what are your average monthly living expenses*?
*To get to an accurate amount—track your expenses and/or review bank statements to calculate
monthly expenses in major categories such as: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Food, Transportation,
Insurance, Clothing, and Entertainment.
You might want to consider which of these are essential to you and your family and which could be
reduced or eliminated to reduce your requirements.
If you’re interested in making a career transition, it’s helpful to understand your minimum salary
requirements (to cover your expenses) and how much savings you have available.
Based on your analysis, what is your minimum salary/income requirement per year?
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Consider the following...
1. Review your monthly living expenses and ask, is this worth career happiness? Yes, it is.
2. Could you start saving for a change fund?
Could you start eliminating expenses?
How much and how often would you save?
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There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.—Wayne Dyer
YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE:THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER
Now that you have done all the exercises, it is time to compile a comprehensive, prioritized view of all
the elements of your ideal career. Each exercise has been matched up to one or more sections of Your
Career Guide. Take your prioritized responses and write them into the “Details” next to each section.
CATEGORY
What interests me?
See exercise: What interests you?
(Examples: Travel, Design, Green Energy,
Personal Development, Animals)
My key motivators
See exercise: Motivators
(Examples: Fast Pace, Autonomy,
Teamwork, Acknowledgment)
DETAILS
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CATEGORY
Skills I want to employ
See exercise: Being Creative
in Your Ideal Career
(Examples: Researching, Communicating,
Managing, Performing, Creating)
Ways I want to contribute
See exercises: Making a Difference
Your Way, What’s the Overarching
Goal of Your Career? (Purpose
Statement), Day in the Life
(Examples: Helping Others, Getting
Tangible Results, Bringing Quality)
Purpose Statement & Vision
DETAILS
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Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.—Maya Angelou
CATEGORY
My strengths & talents
See exercises: Your Strengths,
Career Feedback
(Examples: Teaching, Leading, Mediating,
Organizing, Persuading)
My best qualities/matching
my personality with my work
See exercise: Career Feedback
(Examples: Driven, Professional, Loyal,
Fun, Compassionate, Reliable)
DETAILS
YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued
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CATEGORY
My best work environment,
my workstyle
See exercise: What’s Your
Preferred WorkStyle?
(Examples: Preferences on Commute,
Location, Work Setting, Colleagues,
Company Culture, etc.)
What I most enjoy doing?
See exercises: Career Feedback,
What’s the Overarching Goal of
Your Career?, Day in the Life
(Examples: Working with animals, Being
creative through the domestic arts,
Investigating problems, etc.)
DETAILS
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CATEGORY
Salary/benefits Requirements
See exercise: Salary Review
(Examples: how much I want to make per
year, level and type of benefits I want)
Any other factors/needs
(Examples: Life goals that you would like
considered in your career decisions, etc.)
DETAILS
YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued
There is only one success to be able to spend your life in your own way. —Christopher Darlington Morley
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CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: CAREER OPTIONS
Done well you only need to go through Soul Search, Research and Job Search once in your career.
So that you don’t lose sight of any possible career options, keep a running list here of all that come
to light throughout this process. Even if you’re not sure you would like to pursue a certain option,
write it down anyway.
The first step is to brainstorm. You will rank your career options as a secondary step.
As a reminder, consider the career options you came up with when combining your interests.
Finally take a bird’s eye view of your ideal career elements, does the overall picture point you
toward a particular career? Once you’ve listed all possible career options, do a preliminary ranking
based on which possibility seems most interesting and exciting to you.
We’ll do more formal Research next to ensure you’re on the right track but it’s important to first do
a gut check of sorts.
WRITE IN CAREER POSSIBILITIES THAT HAVE COME TO LIGHT DURING YOUR SOUL SEARCH.
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I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities.—Whoopi Goldberg
S O U L S E A R C H R E S E A R C H J O B S E A R C H
MaggieMistal .com
Coaching@MaggieMistal .com
(212 ) 707- 8119