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Looking For Work That Brings Out The Best In Me

Posted by Chris Berry on August 20, 2008 in Introversion, Jobs and Careers, Purely Personal

One of the challenging aspects of my personality type is the fact that my mind bombards me with a constant stream of new ideas. Some are big, some are small, and they are rarely related to one another. I might have an idea for an entirely new product or service one day, and a unique restaurant concept the next. It’s a never ending process that has led to a lifetime of insomnia.

You might think that having ideas is a great thing, but they tend to come so quickly that each one is a distraction from the one that came before it. This makes it difficult to fully evaluate any one idea to determine its merit, or to commit myself to bringing any of them to fruition. It also makes it very difficult to settle on a course of action for seeking employment.

I’ve been out of work for most of 2008, and the sad fact is that I am no closer to finding a job today than I was six months ago. Part of my problem lies in the fact that my varied talents and interests over the years have led me to follow a very unconventional career path. I have the knowledge and ability to perform a wide variety of jobs, but I lack the credentials and the years of industry specific experience that most employers demand. My introverted nature also prevents me from engaging in the kind of networking activities that most people rely on to find work.

I’ve learned several very important lessons about myself over the course of my working life, and I’m struggling to find the employment opportunity that will allow me to perform to my highest potential. I know that I can be an incredible asset to any organization that will allow me to utilize my talents in a manner that is in keeping with my fundamental nature. My challenge is to find a situation that fits these parameters.

I am at my absolute best when faced with a constant variety of new tasks and challenges. I have the ability to learn and master new skills very quickly, but once I’ve developed a high level of proficiency my interest tends to wane. I have a talent for designing systems and strategies, but once the creative work is completed, the implementation of those systems is best left to someone else.

I need to work on complex projects that I can complete on my own or as part of a very small team. When I begin a challenging project, I can focus with incredible intensity on the completion of the task, and I do not stop until the job is done. I can picture the completed project clearly in my mind, and I get tremendous satisfaction from turning my vision into reality. When I have to rely on other people to contribute, I tend to lose focus and patience if they do not share my level of commitment or my sense of urgency.

I need to be part of a relatively small organization. Over the years I’ve worked for tiny privately owned companies and large publicly traded corporations. I am at my best when I am able to contribute to the overall success of the organization rather than being a tiny cog in a large machine.

I need to be surrounded by intelligent people. The most effective way to refine my thoughts and ideas is through interaction and brainstorming with people who are smart, creative and intellectually curious. I have little patience for people who lack these qualities.

I need to be part of an ethical organization. I am driven by a very powerful internal sense of right and wrong, and I do not associate with people or organizations whose actions are not in keeping with my standards. I cannot work for a company that does not operate with the best interest of their customers in mind by providing honest value and fair treatment.

It has taken me a lifetime to figure these things out, and some of these lessons have been learned the hard way. The older I get, the more determined I am not to repeat my mistakes. I’ve worked for large companies that lacked any sense of direction or mission, and I’ve worked for unscrupulous companies that had no regard for their customers or employees. My challenge now is to find an employer that will enable me to reach my highest potential by remaining true to myself. Hopefully it won’t take another lifetime.

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