Ma

gg

ieM

ista

l.co

m

S O U LSEARCH

C A R E E R C O N S U LTA N T

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

1

Congratulations on taking the first step toward your ideal career!

With the following Soul Search exercises you will uncover the elements that make up your

ideal career including:

r What Interests You/Your Passions

r Your Key Motivators

r The Skills You Want to Employ

r The Purpose You Most Want in Your Work

r Your Top Strengths & Talents

r Your Best Qualities

r Your Best Work Environment

r What You Most Enjoy Doing

r Salary and Benefit Requirements

By working through the exercises in this workbook you will learn and discover what’s most

important to you in your career, access key elements and brainstorm career possibilities

that match those elements, creating your ideal career.

The insights from each exercise are designed to correspond with a section of your very own

career guide. This way after you complete each one, you can easily organize the information

to be able to make sound career decisions and to brainstorm various ways to combine the

elements into new and exciting career possibilities.

Remember, as you work on each exercise, do not censor yourself. It is crucial that you be

as honest as possible about what you really want, even if you’re not sure how you’ll get it.

Effective Soul Searching is about identifying your true goals and dreams for your life

and career. Don’t hold back! These are your dreams, listen to your soul and uncover your

ideal career.

There will be plenty of time to Research how to make your dream career a reality once

you’ve reached that stage of the process.

Time to get started with your Soul Search!

SOUL SEARCH WORKBOOK

Freedom lies in being bold. —Robert Frost

2

WHAT INTERESTS YOU?

Often we have limited exposure to the myriad of fields, industries and functions in which we could

have a career. To help expand your possibilities, read the list below and 7 those most of

interest. Then rank your top 5. Make your selections not based on your skill level or ability to

land a job in that area but purely based on interest.

7

Homes

Decorating

Real Estate

Landscaping/Gardening

Construction

Architecture

Travel

Language & Culture

Hospitality/Tourism

Photography

Healing

Healthcare

Diet and Nutrition

Health and Wellness

Exercise/Fitness

Sports

TV/Film/Video

History

Event Planning

Project Management

Research & Investigation

Universities/Higher Ed

Entertainment

Design

Consulting

Law

Maintenance/Repair

Training and Education

Science

Environment

Counseling

Farming

Social Services

Spirituality

Green/Clean Energy

Oil & Gas

Internet/Web

Fashion

Accessories

Beauty/Cosmetics

Clothing

Safety/Security

Inventing

Politics

7

Marketing

Non-profits

Arts

Museums

Recreation

Nature

Animals/Pets

Gifts

Toys/Games

Religion

Logistics

Entertaining

Automotive

Engineering

Trades

Music

Writing

Publishing

Children

Customer Service

Sales

Retail/Merchandising

Media/Social Media

Public Relations

Public Speaking

Communications

Community Development/Outreach

Human Resources

Finance/Accounting

Technology

Business Operations

Management/Leadership

Organization Development

Strategy

Philosophy

Personal Development

Business: Information

Business: Products

Business: Services

Financial Services

Career Development

Food: Eating, Cooking or Baking

Fundraising/Philanthropy

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

3

EXAMPLES + + =

Project Management Environment Construction

Weatherizing buildings

and homes for

energy efficiency

Food Farming MarketingPromoting local

growers

Writing Travel Social MediaOnline travel writer

and/or blogger

Children Museums Education

Arts educator

promoting learning

thru the Arts

Healing Nutrition Event Planning Organic catering

Brainstorm new possibilities for yourself by combining your fields of interest, such as…

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

+ + =

People are often stuck in jobs too small for their souls.—Thomas Leonard

4

IDEAL CAREER MOTIVATORS

Work Environment

• Rapid pace

• Thought-provoking/problem-solving work

• Frequently changing work or work setting

• Thrills and/or exhilaration built

into the job

• Low pressure work setting

• Little margin for error,

demanding standards

• Camaraderie/many friends at work

• Job security assured

• Constant people interaction on the job

• Predictable routine and work duties

• Work outside

MOTIVATORS

Motivators give us energy and allow us to look forward to going to work everyday. When you have

your top motivators built into your career, you don’t have to make yourself “motivated”, it comes

naturally, even on challenging days.

Work Rewards

• Impress others/gain respect

• Acknowledgement as an expert

• Acknowledgment for good work

• Progression of opportunities and seniority

• Recognition for link to a group or field

• Know my work is bettering the world

• Beneficial to my community/neighborhood

• Live where I want

• Accumulated wealth

• Meaningful work on significant ideas

• Well-paid and can live the lifestyle I wish

Work Approach

• Autonomous, self-directed schedule

• Ability to express expertise

and competence

• Opportunities to innovate and experiment

• Physically demanding work

• Exacting work requiring attention to detail

• Knowledge-focused work, pursuing truth

• Study/appreciate beauty as part of work

• Work unaided, on my own

• Directly supporting others

1-on-1 or in groups

• Match up against others/competitive

• Produce or invent original work products

• Creativity through artistic projects

• Part of a team with a common goal

• Recurrent risk-taking

• Travel as part of work

Leadership

• Work on leading edge of field/area

• Shape others’ views and attitudes

• Have the final say on matters/decisions

• Have power or authority over others

• Contribute through others, manage

To determine your top motivators, consider the following categories, circling the most

motivating for you within each. When complete, go back through your selections and rank

your top five motivators overall in the section provided.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

5

RANK YOUR TOP 5 MOTIVATORS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

If you’re not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.—Vince Lombardi

6

BEING CREATIVE IN YOUR IDEAL CAREER

Creativity is something most people want in their ideal careers yet they often express creativity in

different ways. Let’s get specific about what being creative really means to you.

This exercise will help you further clarify your creative skills.

Rate each creative skill 1 to 5—1 being unimportant and 5 being essential

(even if you don’t possess these skills today).

ARTISTIC

1 2 3 4 5 Doing things skillfully and tastefully

1 2 3 4 5 A keen sensitivity to visual appeal

ARTFUL

1 2 3 4 5 Making or doing things that display form, beauty, and unusual perception;

art includes painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, drama, dance, etc.

1 2 3 4 5 Expressing art within any craft, trade or profession

COLORIST

1 2 3 4 5 Using colors creatively in painting, decorating, floral arrangements, clothing, etc.

WRITER

1 2 3 4 5 Painting a picture with words

1 2 3 4 5 Writing to entertain others through poetry, plays, novels, etc.

1 2 3 4 5 Writing as a way to express ideas, concepts, processes, etc.

1 2 3 4 5 Writing as a way to educate, inform, or entice

EXPRESSIVE

1 2 3 4 5 Conveying feelings and thoughts through body, face, or voice tone as in acting,

public speaking, teaching, dancing, etc.

1 2 3 4 5 Conveying feelings and thoughts through artistic media such as painting,

drawing, photography, etc.

PERFORMER

1 2 3 4 5 Enacting or presenting a piece of music, dramatic role, dance, etc.,

in front of an audience

1 2 3 4 5 Overcoming obstacles in accomplishing or bringing things to completion

SPEAKER

1 2 3 4 5 Expressing or communicating feelings, ideas, opinions, etc., by talking

1 2 3 4 5 Making a speech or delivering a lecture in public

COMMUNICATOR

1 2 3 4 5 Giving or sharing information or ideas by talk, gestures, writing, etc.

DESIGNER

1 2 3 4 5 Making original plans, designs, or patterns and carrying these out in a skillful way

1 2 3 4 5 Fashion or decorating

1 2 3 4 5 Crafts or artistic projects

1 2 3 4 5 Architecture and structural design of buildings, gardens, communities, etc.

want to

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

7

1 2 3 4 5 Electronics, devices, gadgets, etc

1 2 3 4 5 Software programs, information systems, etc

EXPERIMENTAL

1 2 3 4 5 Testing or trying anything to discover new properties

1 2 3 4 5 Testing to discover whether something is effective, workable, valid, etc.

INVENTIVE

1 2 3 4 5 Thinking or devising something in your mind

1 2 3 4 5 Producing a new device, process, product, etc.

1 2 3 4 5 Originating by experimenting

EDITOR

1 2 3 4 5 Preparing articles, journals, letters, etc., for publication

1 2 3 4 5 Preparing film, tape, or recordings for presentation

1 2 3 4 5 Making changes in written materials or computer files

1 2 3 4 5 Correcting and revising others’ written work

CONCEPTUAL

1 2 3 4 5 Formulating new ideas and thoughts

1 2 3 4 5 Asking original questions

1 2 3 4 5 Giving birth to new ways of doing things

1 2 3 4 5 Envisioning mathematical calculations, equations, and theorems

IMAGINATIVE

1 2 3 4 5 Creating mental images or creating new images or ideas

1 2 3 4 5 Making up stories

IMPROVISATIONAL

1 2 3 4 5 Being resourceful in dealing with new or unusual experiences

1 2 3 4 5 Composing or simultaneously composing and performing on the spur of the moment

1 2 3 4 5 Improvising the solution to a problem, as camping when you have left

some of the equipment at home

1 2 3 4 5 Figuring out a way of doing things without the right equipment, tools, etc.,

to fill an unforeseen and immediate need

ADAPTIVE

1 2 3 4 5 Making things fit or suitable by changing or adjusting them

1 2 3 4 5 Being flexible, adjusting yourself to new, changing, or changed circumstances

COMPOSER

1 2 3 4 5 Creating musical, dance, or literary works

1 2 3 4 5 Putting things together in proper order or form

1 2 3 4 5 Producing printed or visual matter by computer or photo-composition

DEVELOPER

1 2 3 4 5 Making things stronger or more effective

1 2 3 4 5 Building up or expanding a business or industry

1 2 3 4 5 Elaborating musical themes

1 2 3 4 5 Adapting or creating recipes or menus

8

TEACHER

1 2 3 4 5 Showing or helping a person how to do something or how to develop a skill or trait

1 2 3 4 5 Presenting knowledge, ideas, or insight so others can grasp it

TRAINER

1 2 3 4 5 Guiding the mental, moral, or physical development of children or adults

1 2 3 4 5 Conditioning animals to perform tricks or obey commands

1 2 3 4 5 Creating exercises or practices to help people bring about their desired

condition or way of doing things

BEING CREATIVE IN YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

9

Now rank the top 5 creative skills that you most want in your ideal career

—1 being your top way.

Artistic

Expressive

Designer

Conceptual

Composer

Artful

Performer

Experimental

Imaginative

Developer

Colorist

Speaker

Inventive

Improvisational

Teacher

Writer

Communicator

Editor

Adaptive

Trainer

There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less. —Kurt Hahn

10

Are there any issues/causes you are most passionate about?

Causes... Environment

r Oceans

r Clean air

r Forests

r Recycling

Education Reform

Child Care Reform

Prison Reform

Abuse

r Spouse Abuse

r Elderly Abuse

r Child Abuse

Animal Rights

Civil Rights

r Women’s Rights

r Children’s Rights

r People of Color

r Gay Rights

World Peace

World Hunger

Gun Control

Hazardous Wastes

Public Awareness

Political Causes

r Local

r National

r International

Other:

Other:

Though causes are important, they are not the only way to have an impact. Even just having fun can

make a difference. Answer the questions and place a 3 on the line and in the boxes below

to determine the ways you most want to make a difference with your work.

Counseling other people regarding... Relationships

Career/employment

Emotions

Spiritual Development

Self-Esteem

Physical Limitations

MAKING A DIFFERENCE YOUR WAY

If you want to have impact and meaning in your work, it’s important that you identify how you want

your work to make a difference.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

11

Support children in... Learning (tutoring, etc.)

Building Self-Esteem

Child Care Facilities

Fun Activities

Arts and crafts

Theater, Dance, Music

Competitive Sports

Living with Handicaps

Supporting the elderly in... Quality of Care

Quality of Life

Travel and Entertainment

Employment

Transportation

Self-Esteem

Grief Management

Financial Concerns

Health and Exercise

Arts and Crafts

Theater, Dance, Music

Training and teaching... Conflict Resolutions

Team Building

Entrepreneurship

Intrapreneurship

Life Skills

Work Skills Development

Classes and Workshops for Personal Growth

Getting tangible results... Completion of any Project

Building or Repairing Physical Objects

Setting and Achieving Goals

Creating... Creating New Products

Creating New Services

Creating Ideas

Creating Business Plans

Creating Presentations

Starting a New Business

Bringing any New Project or Idea into Being

Creativity and beauty... Sculpture

Painting, Drawing, Sketching

Photography

Theater, Dance, Music

Fashion/Personal Appearance

Landscaping

Architecture

Writing and other Creative Expressions with Language

Crafts

Other...

The age group that appeals most:

r Toddlers

r Elementary

r Middle School

r High School

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.—Carl Bard

12

What we complain about can also give us clues to our purpose.

What do you complain about the most?

Is that something you would like to do something about?

If yes, what would you like to do about it?

Do you want to make a difference in these areas?

Quality of service/products... Quality Service (Provided, any kind of business)

Sales Ethics

Management Style

Quality Control

Truth in Advertising

Details and organization... Setting up a New System

Handling Details Accurately and Efficiently

Organizing and Bringing Order

Developing Policies and Procedures

What makes life worth living?

Family and friends... Giving Love

Raising Children

Giving Support and Understanding

Spending Quality Time Together

Fun... Toys, Games, Activities

Travel Adventure

Computer, Video, Virtual Reality

Entertainment/Entertaining

Other...

What 3 gifts of wisdom about life would you give to those that came to you?

1.

2.

3.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE YOUR WAY, continued

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

13

FROM ALL THE PREVIOUS OPTIONS, SUMMARIZE YOUR TOP 5 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS...

Is the life I am living the life that wants to live in me?—Parker Palmer

14

This exercise will help you clarify your strengths.

Place a “+” next to your strongest skills, place a “-“ next to your weakest skills.

If a skill falls in the middle or if you are unsure, leave it blank.

Monitor, detect or perceive

Envision, theorize or discover

Estimate, measure or evaluate

Assess, examine logically or analyze

Look into, probe, research or investigate

Bring together, combine, unite or conceptualize thoughts

Use creativity, decorate or design

Perceive instinctively, intuit, show insight or have forethought

Use creative ability, take photos, paint or sculpt

Charm, entertain, perform, act, dance or sing

Compose, revise, interpret, translate or review written works

Care for, minister to, make well, mend, heal or help others recuperate

Mentor, empower, coach, lead or listen to others

Host, delight, satisfy, make at home or attend to customers

Dexterous, showing skill with use of your body, hands, or mind

Resolve conflict, mediate or bridge together people

Educate, teach, train, enlighten or clarify for others

Put into practice, monitor, systematize, speed up or schedule

Advise, consult, give your opinion or persuade

Forecast, appraise or estimate numerical information

Manage others, delegate, direct, supervise or motivate

Persuade somebody to buy, negotiate, convince, or promote

Speak publicly, debate, promote, communicate or lobby

Account for, budget, encode or classify financial data

Attend to detail when copying or transcribing

Tally, calculate, compare or keep track of numbers

Initiate, anticipate or create change

Direct, set objectives and focus, plan or make decisions

Arrange, sort, update, classify or organize information

Organize and arrange social, recreational or other group activities

YOUR TOP STRENGTHS

We often take our skills for granted mistakenly believing that if something comes easily for us, it

must come easily for everyone else. Not true. It’s important that you value and appreciate what you

do well and recognize that not everyone possesses your unique set of strengths.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

15

SUMMARIZE AND RANK YOUR TOP 5 STRENGTHS FROM THE LIST...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS...

Everybody is a genius but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.—Albert Einstein

16

Ask as many people as you’d like to complete the questions below. Read over the responses,

then choose the feedback you would like to incorporate in the elements of your ideal career.

Highlight those responses in the sections to the right.

This needs to be emailed to people to complete it for the Coachee.

Dear (former colleagues, friends, family member)

I would like your feedback and support.

Thank you in advance for your honesty and participation!

1. What are my finest abilities, talents and traits?

2. How would you describe my presence?

What word(s) best describe the impression I made on you/make on others?

3. In your opinion, what career might be the best fit for me?

4. Do you see him/her having their own business? If so, what kind?

5. How have I brought up ideas, thoughts, and/or inventions to you?

Please describe.

6. Skills and experience aside, what type of ideal career do you think is right for me?

7. Long-term, what do you see my life and career being like years from now—5, 10, 20?

(Please share your first name and how we know each other.)

CAREER FEEDBACK & SUPPORT

Those close to us can often offer clues to our ideal careers. They can mirror back to us the

impressions we make, the types of conversations we tend to have, and the ideas or thoughts

we focus on.

Here’s your chance to gain insight from people you trust—former colleagues, friends, family

members—people who know you well from different facets of life.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

17

CAREER FEEDBACK & SUPPORT RESULTS PER QUESTION

Your best skills, abilities, talents and traits

Your presence

Type of career you are best suited for

Type of business you would own

Your ideas, thoughts, inventions

Ideal career

Your life in 5, 10, 20 years

Other relevant and important insights

The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself.—George Bernard Shaw

18

WHAT’S THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF YOUR CAREER?

In your ideal career you get to take the actions you want to move forward the values you believe

in and help the people, things, fields or groups that matter to you. You have it all. To get to

this point, you need to articulate for yourself (and others) what this overarching goal is for your

career—your purpose statement.

My purpose is to do these three activities consistently because they are exciting and

powerful to me:

My purpose is to forward this one value (or two) that I most believe in and care about:

My purpose is to help, serve, affiliate with, learn from and/or impact the interest,

group or cause that most excites or moves me:

Cause: Child welfare, organ donation, politics, the environment, equality of gender, race, diversity, etc.

Group: People or specific groups such as children, elderly, teens or animals, veterans, the homeless, etc.

Field: Media, travel, pop culture, cooking, technology, business, fashion, art, etc.

MY PURPOSE IS TO

(Your three activities),

(Your core value(s))

TO, FOR OR WITH

(Your group, cause or field).

Teach

Share

Lead

Speak

Inspire

Communicate

Claim

Create

Give

Enthuse

Dream

Educate

Connect

Entertain

Present

Love

Participate

Identify

Receive

Practice

Master

Manifest

Improve

Understand

Refine

Worship

Value

Sell

Trade

Write

Support

Reform

Heal

Nurture

Organize

Produce

Illuminate

Launch

Model

Motivate

Pursue

Deliver

Consider

Construct

Enlist

Further

Gather

Drive

Discover

Build

Brighten

Advance

Compel

Complete

Associate

Translate

Travel

Utilize

Validate

Verbalize

Work

Persuade

Keep

Improvise

Praise

Evaluate

Defend

Etc.

Creativity

Beauty

Service

Justice

Freedom

Family

Equality

Power

Joy

Abundance

Wisdom

Balance

Love

Order

Peace

Unity

Wholeness

Integrity

Security

Etc.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

19

EXTRA SPACE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND/OR ADDITIONAL ITERATIONS OF YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT...

MAGGIE MISTAL’S PURPOSE STATEMENT

“To educate, persuade and inspire creativity, service and justice for all people

who are unhappy in their careers.”

20

PART 1

Day in the life guidelines:

• Write your vision in the present tense as if it’s already happening.

• Include all the elements of your ideal career, make it detailed. Refer to your outcomes

from the previous exercises to add in your motivators, ways to be creative and ways to make a

difference for example.

• Don’t hold back. You can have all the success, accolades, work life fit, income, support

opportunity, etc. that you want in YOUR vision. Go for it! You have all your key career elements.

EXAMPLE DAY IN THE LIFE WHERE YOU CAN SEE DETAILS NOT ONLY ABOUT A DAY IN THE LIFE AT WORK

BUT FINANCIALLY AS WELL AS INCLUDING WORK LIFE FIT.

I am a fulltime consultant. I work, and have worked, with dozens of colleges, universities and

non-profits to help these groups connect their students, alumni, faculty, staff, clients and

prospective partners with the missions of their organizations.

I am well-respected among these groups and am known as a knowledgeable, thoughtful and

hard-working. My clients enjoy working with me and support my success. When at on-site jobs,

I wear a suit and heels. When working from home, I enjoy jeans and sweats. It’s a nice mix.

I am financially comfortable and contribute 50% or more of my family’s income. I am able to live

with my family in our relaxed, attractive, well-maintained home. We pay our bills easily and on time,

have more than adequate retirement savings and can send our children to good colleges.

My family is happy and healthy. With a flexible schedule that I control, I have time to attend games,

plays and parent-teacher conferences and I run personal errands as needed. My family eats dinner

together almost every night, and we travel together several times each year to explore new places

and relax on vacation. My husband and I have at least two out-of-house date nights each month,

and I walk, hike or move about in some way 5 days each week.

I make time for my friends and family—I know what is going on in their lives and I enjoy spending

time with them. I try new things, like tennis lessons or photography classes, two times each year.

I am happy.

DAY IN THE LIFE

In order for your ideal career to become a reality, you need to start by envisioning a day in the life

when you are actually in your ideal career. This vision will then enable you to take the corresponding

steps and make the right decisions to get from where you are today to your dream career.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

21

PART 2

Now go further and draft an hour by hour vision. What time do you get up? What do you wear?

What do you do hour by hour in your day? Write your day in the life with the details that matter most

to your happiness.

It’s ( )am, I awake and get started in my day with...

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.—Helen Keller

22

WHERE YOU WANT TO WORK

At what size employer (if you want to work for someone else):

r Less than 10 employees

r 10 –100 employees

r 100-500 employees

r 500 or more employees

In what setting:

r Inside (at an employer’s office or your own home office)

r Outside (work outside or be out-and-about as normal course of work)

r Some inside and outside

Urban area, town or rural location:

r A large city

r A medium-sized city

r A small town

r A rural area

Geography:

r US West

r US East

r US South

r US North

r Internationally (where?)

HOW YOU WANT TO WORK

As an entrepreneur, would you:

r Work alone

r Work with a small team of several others

r Prefer it be a small company

r Prefer it be a major company

Percentage time spent traveling for work:

r None

r <25%

r 25-50%

r >50%

When do you do your best work:

r Under pressure

r With no time pressure

What’s your ideal schedule:

r Structured (determined by you or someone else?)

r Unstructured

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED WORKSTYLE?

The very practical details of your ideal career matter such as where you work, how you work and with

whom you work. Read the options below and 3 those that best match your preferred workstyle.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

23

If you had 100% control over your time, what daily and weekly schedule would provide

you the optimal work life fit?

r 9a – 5p Daily

r Other start and end time (what times? )

r 5 days per week

r Compressed workweek (which days off? )

How much variety do you prefer:

r Work duties that change often, in which there is a great deal of variety

r Work duties that are fairly routine and unchanging

WITH WHOM OR WHAT YOU WANT TO WORK

Do you prefer to work with:

r Ideas—use information and/or imagination to formulate thoughts, concepts, interpretations

or plans. A scientist may have an idea for a hypothesis, a writer puts ideas into words,

and a teacher assimilates and organizes ideas and presents to students.

r Things—using tools, such as scissors or a screwdriver; or machines, such as computers

or bulldozer; or your hands or body, as in dance or pottery. When you prefer working with

things, using tools or machines or your body is the crux of your work.

r People—relating to people on all levels, such as taking orders and serving food, meeting

together to complete a project, selling a product or device, or guiding others toward a goal.

r Data—working with numbers, symbols, formulas, words and maps. An attorney investigates

to obtain information to defend a client, an accountant records and computes numbers,

and a engineer creates designs and materials using mathematical formulas.

Which area(s) of business most interest you:

r Marketing/Promotion

r Sales

r Administration

r Operations

r Production

r Service

r Coordinating all the above

Do you enjoy contact with people?

r A lot of contact with people

r Very little contact with people

Do you enjoy working in a group?

r I like having others to bounce ideas off of and work together towards a goal

r I prefer to work alone

Preferred people/company culture:

r Like-minded people

r Diversity of viewpoints

24

Given your choices from the previous list, what are you top five workstyle preferences that you

most want in your ideal career?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED WORKSTYLE?, continued

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

25

Add the Personal Touch To Your Elevator Pitch

There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1) The nervous and 2) Liars.—Mark Twain

At this point in the process, you’re going to need to start articulating to others what you’re looking

to do as a result of your Soul Search. An elevator pitch is very useful here (and you’ll see it again

under Job Search.) But creating an elevator pitch scares most people. To get over the fear, I’ve

uncovered a powerful secret—the personal touch. Adding it will not only make it easier for you to

create your pitch, but it will also make it easier for others to remember you.

What do I mean by the personal touch? Here’s an example.

“Hi, my name is Julie. I am looking for an internship in the food industry. As a kid I loved

cooking with my grandmother. I wrote down all of our favorite recipes. This year, I published it

as a holiday gift for the whole family. My grandmother cried. Hearing you speak about your work

at the Food Network today inspired me. I’d love to learn more about how you got to where you

are today. Are you open to a short informational interview?”

You don’t have to put on a show. Just be yourself and share your story.

I spoke to a group of students with a key-note speech focused on networking strategy and making

authentic connections. I shared with them Julie’s elevator speech with the personal touch and had them

write their own versions. After writing for a few minutes, several volunteers shared their stories. After

each pitch, I asked the audience what they heard. In every case, it was the personal detail that stuck,

not the person’s major or their litany of qualifications but his/her personal story. When we finished the

room was abuzz with energy. We were not only getting pitched, we were making real connections.

In the space provided answer these questions to add the personal touch to your elevator speech:

• What’s your name?

• What do you do/do you want to do?

• What life experience led you to want to do this?

26

• What do you want the audience to do to help you?

Too often I find clients leave out important details when telling their career stories. They downplay

successes because they don’t want to brag or they’re too busy recounting their “hard skills” to share

the heartfelt reason they have this career aspiration in the first place.

In today’s world where information is easy to find, the way to stand out is to be authentic.

I was put on the spot by the students and asked what my elevator pitch was. I immediately thought

of the real reasons I do what I do...

“Hi my name is Maggie. I’m a Life Purpose and Career coach. My Mom went back to medical

school when I was 6, my sister was 5 and my brother was 10. I learned firsthand that it’s never

too late to follow your dreams. Today I help others Soul Search, Research and Job Search into

their dream careers. If you want to make a career change, contact me.”

There’s no need to stammer the next time someone asks, “What do you want to do?”

Answer the questions above and you’ll create your pitch. You’ll not only inform but also make

the real connections necessary to reach your career goal.

They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.—Carl W. Buechner

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

27

SALARY REVIEW

HAVING THE CAREER YOU WANT ALSO MEANS ALSO HAVING THE SALARY/ INCOME YOU WANT.

What is your ideal salary/Income range per year?

Based on your current situation, what are your average monthly living expenses*?

*To get to an accurate amount—track your expenses and/or review bank statements to calculate

monthly expenses in major categories such as: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Food, Transportation,

Insurance, Clothing, and Entertainment.

You might want to consider which of these are essential to you and your family and which could be

reduced or eliminated to reduce your requirements.

If you’re interested in making a career transition, it’s helpful to understand your minimum salary

requirements (to cover your expenses) and how much savings you have available.

Based on your analysis, what is your minimum salary/income requirement per year?

28

Consider the following...

1. Review your monthly living expenses and ask, is this worth career happiness? Yes, it is.

2. Could you start saving for a change fund?

Could you start eliminating expenses?

How much and how often would you save?

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

29

There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.—Wayne Dyer

YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE:THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER

Now that you have done all the exercises, it is time to compile a comprehensive, prioritized view of all

the elements of your ideal career. Each exercise has been matched up to one or more sections of Your

Career Guide. Take your prioritized responses and write them into the “Details” next to each section.

CATEGORY

What interests me?

See exercise: What interests you?

(Examples: Travel, Design, Green Energy,

Personal Development, Animals)

My key motivators

See exercise: Motivators

(Examples: Fast Pace, Autonomy,

Teamwork, Acknowledgment)

DETAILS

30

CATEGORY

Skills I want to employ

See exercise: Being Creative

in Your Ideal Career

(Examples: Researching, Communicating,

Managing, Performing, Creating)

Ways I want to contribute

See exercises: Making a Difference

Your Way, What’s the Overarching

Goal of Your Career? (Purpose

Statement), Day in the Life

(Examples: Helping Others, Getting

Tangible Results, Bringing Quality)

Purpose Statement & Vision

DETAILS

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

31

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.—Maya Angelou

CATEGORY

My strengths & talents

See exercises: Your Strengths,

Career Feedback

(Examples: Teaching, Leading, Mediating,

Organizing, Persuading)

My best qualities/matching

my personality with my work

See exercise: Career Feedback

(Examples: Driven, Professional, Loyal,

Fun, Compassionate, Reliable)

DETAILS

YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued

32

CATEGORY

My best work environment,

my workstyle

See exercise: What’s Your

Preferred WorkStyle?

(Examples: Preferences on Commute,

Location, Work Setting, Colleagues,

Company Culture, etc.)

What I most enjoy doing?

See exercises: Career Feedback,

What’s the Overarching Goal of

Your Career?, Day in the Life

(Examples: Working with animals, Being

creative through the domestic arts,

Investigating problems, etc.)

DETAILS

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

33

CATEGORY

Salary/benefits Requirements

See exercise: Salary Review

(Examples: how much I want to make per

year, level and type of benefits I want)

Any other factors/needs

(Examples: Life goals that you would like

considered in your career decisions, etc.)

DETAILS

YOUR CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: THE TOP PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER, continued

There is only one success to be able to spend your life in your own way. —Christopher Darlington Morley

34

CUSTOMIZED CAREER GUIDE: CAREER OPTIONS

Done well you only need to go through Soul Search, Research and Job Search once in your career.

So that you don’t lose sight of any possible career options, keep a running list here of all that come

to light throughout this process. Even if you’re not sure you would like to pursue a certain option,

write it down anyway.

The first step is to brainstorm. You will rank your career options as a secondary step.

As a reminder, consider the career options you came up with when combining your interests.

Finally take a bird’s eye view of your ideal career elements, does the overall picture point you

toward a particular career? Once you’ve listed all possible career options, do a preliminary ranking

based on which possibility seems most interesting and exciting to you.

We’ll do more formal Research next to ensure you’re on the right track but it’s important to first do

a gut check of sorts.

WRITE IN CAREER POSSIBILITIES THAT HAVE COME TO LIGHT DURING YOUR SOUL SEARCH.

©2

01

3 -

20

20

MM

M C

are

er

Cons

ulting

, All

right

s re

serv

ed

35

I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities.—Whoopi Goldberg

S O U L S E A R C H R E S E A R C H J O B S E A R C H

MaggieMistal .com

Coaching@MaggieMistal .com

(212 ) 707- 8119