Doing what you love for a living (part 2)

Why try to force yourself into something that’s already been created, when what your soul is searching for is something that you will create?

Are you looking for jobs that you believe are already out there; ones that already exist in a certain field? Why not try doing what you love?

I went on interview after interview in agency after agency, but what I didn’t realize was that I was looking for jobs that already existed, when I really didn’t want something that was by the book. I wanted something that was so authentically me; made for me. It’s great when you can find something to do that matches, or is gosh darn close, what you love to do, but what if you want to create what you do? What if you don’t want just a good match, but your match? What’s important to remember is that there are endless possibilities and that you can create your own job, even within an already established company. You can create something that you love, something that utilizes your unique talents and something that feels completely aligned and heart-driven.

They may not know what their company is missing until you show them.

These missing skills can entail things that you absolutely love doing; things that light you up and brings joy to you and the people around you. One of the best ways to find a job that you love doing is to create it. You don’t need to feel like you have to create it yourself, when you find a company that you completely vibe with and seems like a good fit, you can then co-create the dream job together. While reading through these steps, remember that there are endless creative possibilities out there. No matter where you are currently located, you can connect with a potential employer from a new location that you feel drawn to. Before I moved to Sydney, I Skyped with future employers, added them on LinkedIn and Twitter, and created my own internship for a brand while still living in the states. You can create your bliss from anywhere.

1. After you find a company or organization that just feels right, something that completely intrigues you, reach out to them. Remember, they won’t know that they don’t have skills from an incredible, creative person, hey you!, until you show them. This introduction can be done in a ton of different ways. The best way is to look at their social profiles and see if you have any mutual connections and get an intro through there. If you don’t, that’s completely ok! A future employer loves it if you are bold enough to get in touch. When contacting through social media, it just depends on how risky you want to get, because you need to make sure that they see things on social media. I actually got my first job through Twitter, and so it can definitely work. This also depends on how corporate or laid back the company and the individual is. Do some research and even connect with them on multiple platforms over time. Also don’t be afraid to publicly show who you are.

I remember just getting out of University, and everyone was changing their last names on Facebook so that employers wouldn’t find them. What I’ve experience is that, what future employers found to be most interesting was who I was outside of work, and what creative ideas I had come up with through my own social media that could add something different to their company. People love authenticity, and the more you can show who you really are and how you would add value to their company as a person the better.

2. After you’ve found the company and made an introduction, set up an in-person or Skype meeting. You can set up a chat even if they aren’t advertising for a job, and with your uniquely-you skills you probably didn’t see a job that included your heart-filled dream anyway. If you can, make sure that you can see each other, even if it’s on Skype. I know it’s tempting to get nervous and want to turn the camera off, but you will be able to tell a lot more about the energy between you and the employer that way. Not only that, they will feel more connected to you by physically seeing you, which is exactly what you want when you’re in the midst of creating your dream job with them.

3. When you’re meeting with them, the most important thing you can do is be yourself. It can be easy to look at their reactions or to go in already trying to be someone that you think they want you to be, but you are going to create a job for a reason remember? You want this so that it feels completely you. When you’re being yourself, you will attract an opportunity that is authentic and aligned with who you are and what you would really love to be doing. Be yourself. Your rad, authentic, showing up fully, self.

4. Being you then leads into connection. CONNECT with the person. If you don’t feel that person-to-person spark with them, it’s probably not that dream job that you’re lusting after. Just as you would like to be surrounded by a positive group of people at work, they want that just as much, even if they are the CEO of the company. Connect by being natural and speaking your truth. Even if you’re nervous, allow the nerves to be there while still embracing who you are in the presence of your future employer.

Just as you might notice that it’s rare to find that instant connection, even with a friend, other people do too. We crave authentic, meaningful connections, and so when you connect with someone, you don’t want to let them go. The same works for meeting a future employer; if they feel that connection, they’ll want to keep you around.

5. You then don’t even need to say, “Hey let’s create a job for me.” That’s actually the opposite of what you would share with them. You share your story, your unique skills and vision, and let it go. Let them take the lead. If you’ve made the connection, the heart-filled connection, and have authentically told your story and what you would love to be doing for their company, their wheels will most likely be turning.

Have a dream job in mind that you’d love to create?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Let’s go big with this, because remember that there are endless possibilities, especially when it involves doing something that you would love to do!