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job search strategies << back to Job Search Strategies 1. About Job Searches 2. The Right Job Search Attitude 3. Know Your Needs 4. Evaluating An Offer 5. Networking 6. Resumes 7. Non-Profit Salaries 8. About Volunteer and Service Programs > know your needs Finding a job is easier when you are clear about what you really need. Particularly in work that involves the community, there is a lot of discussion of what constituents, clients, neighborhood and the world has to offer as well as what they need to be successful and healthy. What values should the work reflect?
For this work to be satisfying to you it should meet your values. There are a wide variety of ways in which people work to "help others." Some of these approaches may not reflect your beliefs. Finding an employer you believe in will mean clarifying your values. There are lots of ways you might begin. Try writing in a journal, drawing, or talking with family or friends to help clarify your ideas. Who might you talk to who might challenge (and therefore further) your responses? To begin consideration of values Melissa Everett, in her book Making a Difference While Making a Living, asks "What have you fought for in your work? Elsewhere in your life? Who are your heroes and role models?" Another book people have found useful is Zen and the Art of Making a Living by Laurence Boldt. Both of these books are available at the Career Services library. What do you need in a work environment?
The issues facing our communities are so compelling in their content that sometimes we don't stop to think about the kind of environment in which we work and learn best. Do you want to be in a big office building? A small storefront community center? What kind of office culture might work best for you? Download our work environment worksheet to help you consider which work place characteristics are most important for you. What do you need to learn next? For some people it is hard to picture where they want to be in 10, 20 or 40 years. Given the complexity and interdependence of social issues such forecasts may even be impossible. But it is possible to consider what you need to learn next - in terms of skills and knowledge. If you are committed to community work or social change as a long-term career path, it is critical to consider what kind of foundation you should build in the early stages of your career. What time do you need for yourself outside
of work? It may be that the job that pays the rest is not where your ultimate passion lies. Or it may be that to be happy you need both meaningful paid work and considerable time to pursue other interests. In work that addresses the needs of people, particularly those that involve direct service, there never seems to be enough time to get the job done. Indeed, there isn't. Consider at the outset what kind of time you need away from work to pursue the other parts of yourself and seek a job that will help you maintain a healthy balance. How much money do you need? While your financial needs might not be as great at the outset of your career as they may be later, it is important for you to understand how much money you need to meet your budget. Consider: housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, insurance, medical care, education costs or loan repayment, entertainment, travel, gifts and taxes. For a good detailed worksheet, see What Color is Your Parachute by Robert Bolles. There are a wide range of ways to make a difference in the community, and similarly there are a wide range of salaries in these positions, even in the non-profit sector. Check out our discussion of non-profit salaries for more on this. When the point of your work is to make a difference, it can seem awkward to think about how much money you need, but, again, it is important for you to meet your needs so you can reach your potential in making a difference. Searching for a job can be a difficult process. There will be pressures along the way that may cause you considerable stress. Clarifying what you need can help you stay true to yourself as other ideas and forces challenge you along the way. (back to top) << back to Job Search Strategies |
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