Mentally Settling in. . . .

What is most important in searching for "the right match" or "a good fit" when preparing for the next assignment or career advancement. Maybe you've already found it for yourself & that's a definite "wow"! Many haven't though for very valid reasons, so this blog is to address how to ask, seek, & knock . . . engaging yourself with people you can blend well with & so your talents can reach their optimal exponential growth.

After completing a personal pinnacle opportunity as an ESL Teacher @ Sias International University in the PRC from 2011-2012, I found myself discouraged, despairing, & dejected . . . so many D's after an A+ experience. Why was teaching in a foreign land with seeming strangers such a rewarding experience? It wasn't the salary. . . or an ability to skillfully captivate amazing students for great heights of learning . . . or even the subject matter. Alas the rewards were subtle, daily, refreshing, invigorating, & challenging too. The students themselves frequently expressed their appreciation of foreign faculty members in countless ways even when classes were tough. Enthusiasm for their studies, college life, & career plans made lesson plan development more intriguing in finding relevance for learning English as a Second Language. Cultural differences & similarities were fascinating & worth studying/experiencing. The teaching schedule & the commeraderie of fellow struggling instructors were huge benefits too; plus the planned activities & outings provided by Sias were priceless. OK so the A+ rewards were primarily about values & appreciation with lesser monetary expectations factoring in.

With all those points to consider upon returning for hopefully my last career phase, I began looking at work place ambiance, supportive colleagues, training & supervision,

income, schedule, trade offs in duties vs free time to do other interesting activities; & actually discovered a number of different prospects that could prove very satisfying. Having reflected on both wonderful successes & past tedious hurdles with fewer rewards, (abounding & abasement) I've been able to prioritize for myself what would be most important, secondary, & of lesser usefulness. When I identified positions that seemed to hold the most potential in areas I considered to have those desirable assets, i.e. "seeing myself" in that "role" with that company for 5-8 years; I pursued.

Finally, I find myself needing to be valued & regarded too as I approach a possible placement. Rather than a brief exchange of information, I'm looking for a deeper connection with commitment. How then do I sell my qualifications in a way that opens the door for an offer? Hence, this website, blog, & coaching from the "Interview Guys" Mike & Jeff as prep time investment to "I'm on track again; I got the job!". It's that hand shake along with the "come on board, you're hired" I want from the person(s) having hiring insight to know I'll "do the work"; making our new journey a bit of a picnic, too. Balance, pacing, & enjoying the day are good blended with motivated, self starter, & resourceful. Hope they like picnics!

to be cont. . . .