Job Search

A Purpose Driven Job Search

By Colleen Coleman, ’17

Printed on the back of What on Earth Am I Here For?, an expanded edition of The Purpose Driven Life, is a review from the LA Times: “Rick Warren has a knack for helping people find a sense of purpose when life can seem materialistic and meaningless.” Materialistic and meaningless. Used in tandem, the words speak a truth that is too often left unspoken in today’s career world. As students of the liberal arts at Hillsdale, we are working to develop the habit of ‘choosing the higher things’–those things which are inherently good, valuable, worthwhile, and thereby meaningful. Our modern culture, however, so values the material— expensive clothes and fancy cars, big houses and exotic vacations. Because our culture is so materialistic, even we may find ourselves thinking of a job primarily as a means to material ends. “What jobs have the highest earning potential?” “What jobs have the greatest potential for promotion?” “What jobs will allow me to purchase expensive clothes and fancy cars, a big house and an exotic vacation?” These questions are the focus of a material-driven, materialistic job search. But if the materialistic is the meaningless, then what is it that drives a meaningful job search? How does one find work that will be meaningful, a job that is more than just a means to material-ends? How, in our job-search, can we exercise the habit of ‘choosing the higher things’?

In What on Earth Am I Here For?, Warren provides a simple acronym to help his readers ponder their purpose. The acronym is SHAPE: Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience. Warren writes, “You were shaped to serve God…Before architects design any new building they first ask, ‘What will be its purpose? How will it be used?’ The intended function always determines the form of the building. Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth.” The idea that you were given a unique shape for a specific purpose lays the framework for conducting a purpose-driven, non-materialistic job search. Reflecting on the following questions and topics can help you conduct a successful and purpose-driven job search. Opposing the question a materialistic culture pressures job-searchers to ask — “What can I get?” — these questions will encourage you to ask — “What can I give?”

S: Spiritual Gifts

Warren defines a “spiritual gift” as a unique ability given by God to serve him and to serve him by serving others. “Unique talent” is nearly synonymous, but the word “gift” encourages a mindset of giving rather than one of getting. To have a gift is to have been a recipient. To have a gift is to have something to give. A gift could be an ability, a mindset, an attitude, or a character trait. If you are thinking about your gifts as you conduct a job search, this means that you are looking for opportunities to give and desire to contribute to your future employer/company.

  • What is one unique gift I possess?
  • What is one way in which I have used this gift in service to others, perhaps even in the workplace?
  • What careers do I think would allow me to share my gifts with others? What are some specific jobs in which I can see myself passionately sharing my gifts?
  • If you have already accepted a job offer: What are some opportunities for serving others I foresee in this job? What are some challenges I foresee in making my work a form of service to others and a sharing of my unique gifts?

H: Heart

Warren defines “heart” as “the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections you have.” “Your heart,” he writes, “represents the source of all your motivations — what you love to do and what you care about most.” Searching for a job that aligns with your desires, hopes, and passions does not mean a career is your sole source for fulfillment, nor does it mean that you should picture your future job as an endless series of interesting, enjoyable tasks. To think this way is to undertake a job search with the culture’s materialistic mindset, a self-centered mindset of getting rather than a selfless one of giving. We know that the fulfilling, or the good, often requires selflessness and sacrifice and may not always seem enjoyable. Yet enjoyment in the workplace can be a good indicator of enthusiasm and motivation. If you enjoy your work, you will do it with passion and greater diligence, and it ceases to become just another box to be checked. So look not for a job that’s simply enjoyable, but for one that holds potential for fulfilling self-sacrifice in the mundane, and that contains aspects you think you will find enjoyable.  Here are a few questions to help you think about your potential career in terms of both enjoyment and fulfillment:

  • In which fields of employment do you see the potential for fulfillment or work with deeper purpose?
  • If you could choose only one or two ‘causes’ to work for, what would they be?
  • What are some tasks/work-related activities that you enjoy? What is the most enjoyable job you have had thus far?
  • Has there ever been a time at work when you forgot you were ‘at work’? If so, what were you doing when this happened?
  • What do you consider your most meaningful job-related accomplishment thus far?
  • 20 or 30 years from now, what do you want to be able to say you have accomplished? Write it in one sentence.
  • If you have already accepted a job offer: What aspects of the job do you anticipate you will enjoy? What aspects of the job appeal to you, what about it do you think you will find fulfilling? What aspects of the job do you anticipate being mundane, or un-enjoyable? Why are these un-enjoyable/mundane tasks necessary for good of the company/workplace as a whole? (How are they a form of service?)

A: Abilities

Warren defines ability as a “natural talent.” Knowing your abilities can be a helpful exercise when searching for a job or determining which job offer to accept. The more your career allows you to use your natural abilities, the greater your capacity to serve will be and the more enjoyable you will find your work.

  • What are your natural abilities? What specific tasks do you find easy to perform?
  • What are some past jobs/work-related experiences in which you have been most effective? What specific skills allowed you to be effective in these environments?

P: Personality

Extrovert or introvert? Routine-lover or variety-lover? “Thinker” or “feeler”? Sanguine, choleric, melancholic, or phlegmatic? Warren writes, “Your personality will affect how and where you use your…abilities.” Understanding your personality is fundamental for conducting a successful job search. When you understand your personality, you can identify optimal work environments and job positions and have a greater chance of finding a fulfilling career. Taking  the 16 Personalities Test is a good place to start (take the test online here https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test or sign up for an appointment at Career Services to take the test). Once you’ve taken the test and want to learn more about the types of careers your personality has prepared you for, read Do What You Are by Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron, and Kelly Tieger.

E: Experiences

The final aspect of your “shape” is experience. Warren writes, “You have been shaped by your experiences in life…” Reflecting on your previous work experience — your on-campus employment and any internship or employment you’ve held over your summers — will help you determine what type of work you enjoy as well as the types of jobs for which you are best qualified. A quick tip: Reflect on the questions below before you interview for a job so that you will be better prepared to answer the questions, “Why did you apply for the position?” or “What makes you qualified for this position?”

  • Out of the jobs you have had thus far, which ones have you most enjoyed? Why? Was it something about the environment you were working in? The tasks you were performing?
  • In which jobs do you think you were most successful? Why?
  • What did you learn from the jobs you have held thus far? (Make a list). How will you be able to use the things you have learned in the job you are interviewing for? Or, based on the experiences you have had in the workplace thus far, what types of jobs are you best qualified for?