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By Susan Britton Whitcomb, CCMC, CCM, MRW, NCRW
The following article contains excerpts from Job Search Magic (JIST Publishing, 2006)

When work is in alignment with things that are important to you, there is harmony and satisfaction. Instead of being a "square peg in a round hole," you can perform work that "fits like a glove." The Master F.I.T.™ is a model that can help you find work that truly is an ideal fit. There are two layers, an external and an internal, for each of the letters in the F.I.T. acronym.

EXTERNAL MASTER F.I.T.™

The first layer - Function, Industry/Interests, and Things That Matter - focuses on external elements that are observable.

Function: Function answers the WHAT question--what you want and like to do. It represents job titles and tasks. Although people are capable of doing a number of different jobs or tasks, smart job seekers concentrate on their innate talents, motivated skills, and favorite experiences when it comes to their job function.

Ask yourself: What strengths/talents/skills have you excelled at in the past? What would you like to learn to do? What job titles are associated with these functions? Conversely, what do you want to avoid?

Industry/Interests: Industry/Interests answers the WHERE question. In what industry do you want to apply your skills?

Ask yourself: Where do your interests, knowledge, or experiences lie? What industries, companies, and/or products do these interests represent? Conversely, what situations do you want to avoid?

Things That Matter: Things That Matter answers the question of WHICH values and priorities are most important. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could open a medicine cabinet each morning and pop a pill that motivates us to go to work? That pill does exist! It takes the shape of having our values and needs met. In the "Things That Matter" category, identify what's most important to you in your next position.

Ask yourself: Which values and priorities - financial, work/lifestyle, environmental, intellectual, emotional, spiritual - must be present for you to be your best at work?

INTERNAL MASTER F.I.T.™

The second layer - Fulfillment, Identity, and Type - focuses on internal elements that are less easily identifiable, but equally important.

Fulfillment: Fulfillment answers the WHY question - why do you work? Fulfillment is synonymous with purpose. Your definition of career fulfillment should capture the essence of how you deliver value and how it fulfills you.

Ask yourself: What is your purpose/cause/destiny? What difference do you want to make? How would you describe your living legacy? Why will this be rewarding?

Identity: Identity answers the WHO question. Identity refers to your internal self-image. What distinguishing characteristics do you want others to note? What do you believe you are capable of accomplishing? Those who experience the greatest fulfillment in life and work periodically redefine themselves and move beyond their previously accepted limitations.

Ask yourself: Who are you? Who are you becoming? What adjectives best describe the present and future you? How do you want others to perceive you?

Type: Type answers the HOW question - how do you want to work? Type refers to personality preferences. According to Myers-Briggs type theory, each of us comes wired-at-birth with four main personality preferences: where we focus our energy; how we take in information; how we make decisions; and how we approach the world. When your work aligns with your type, you will have more energy and be happier.

Ask yourself: How do you prefer to re-energize, take in information, make decisions, and orient your environment? Are you more energized by people and things or ideas and concepts? Do you trust information that is tangible and concrete or abstract and conceptual? Do you prefer to make decisions based on logic or how it will affect people? Do you prefer an environment that is more controlled and predictable or unstructured and variable?

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Step 1 - Find the right Function. Remember that functions represent job titles and tasks, such as engineer and graphic artist or market research and product development.

Step 2 - Identify your ideal Industry and Interests. Industry refers to where functional skills will be applied, whereas Interests tap a specialty area that elicits excitement and enthusiasm. For instance, a nurse might target oncology as an Industry and then focus on pediatric oncology as a special Interest.

Step 3 - Think about the Things That Matter. When what you do from 8 to 5 aligns with your values and needs, you will find greater energy, motivation, and career satisfaction. Employers value employees with energy and motivation. What motivates you? Autonomy? Authority? Influence? Monetary reward? Recognition? Teamwork? Variety?

Step 4 - Define Fulfillment. Fulfillment transforms a job from paycheck to purpose, and is the reason why we work. To define fulfillment, pay attention to the "tingle factor"--that goose-bumpy feeling that comes when doing something of passion.

Step 5 - Enhance Identity. Your identity, what you believe about yourself, is directly linked to the type of position you'll target. People are usually capable of accomplishing much more than they believe they can. Raise the bar on beliefs and blast through self-imposed limitations!

Step 6 - Understand personality Type. Understanding type allows you to pursue positions that complement, rather than clash with, your personality preferences. Again, the basic tenets of personality type measure four scales: Energy, Perception, Judgment, and Orientation.

MAKE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

Finding the perfect Master F.I.T.™ will take time. Keep an aerial perspective on progress, proceed with small steps, and be patient. First, be clear about your functional strengths (step 1 in the process) and then systematically work through the remaining steps. My hope for every job seeker is that they get a glimpse of a larger, grander, and more fulfilling career - one that causes them to look forward and enjoy jumping out of bed each morning. The Master F.I.T.™ is an excellent vehicle to get to that goal!

Susan Britton Whitcomb is a Certified Career Management Coach, Credentialed Career Master, Master Resume Writer, and Nationally Certified Resume Writer. She is the founder and president of Career Coach Academy and Career Leadership Academy, and a prolific author whose titles include Resume Magic, Job Search Magic, and Interview Magic (available at all major retail and online bookstores).

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