Written by: Imani Missouri, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
At some point in your career, you have received an automated or direct message communicating, “you should apply for” “X Company is looking for *title*.” The algorithm seems in sync with either your past experience, searches, or current profile. The conundrum here is that you are pursuing something that hasn’t been obtained yet, and it is probably frustrating. The ideal progress in your process may be signaling a gap in your personal development that can then inform your professional pursuits.
About a month ago, I received one of those very messages through LinkedIn. The opportunity appeared to be a good match until the path took a dead-end, literally. This “Director of People” role had key components that piqued my interest for consideration. It was only when I looked at the “Similar Jobs” section that a major awakening unfolded; 6 out of 12 of the similar jobs were for a Funeral Director. I went to scroll back up to make sure I was on the Director of People page. Indeed I was. So what could a Director of People have in common with a Funeral Director (6 at that)? What does this say about the culture of X company that it is linked with funeral parlors? Is this what I truly want? What was the message here?
You spend the majority of your day looking for the next: If you are more motivated by looking for your next role than being present and/or productive where you currently are, that is a sign of major dissatisfaction. Alison Doyle mentions that “if you find yourself daydreaming about quitting on a regular basis, there’s probably a good reason for it. Take that as a sign that it's time to start job searching.”
You have cast your net wide but no bait: Data shows that it is now a job-seekers market. There are more jobs available now than at the peak of the pandemic. That may or may not be reflective of your industry. Either way, when you don’t hear back or do hear back with rejections, it can take a toll on you. It could be time to take a break from ferociously applying and re-strategize.
What you are reaping is not what you ultimately desire: Society has loosely mentioned: “you reap what you sow.” People of faith know the principle of sowing very well, as laid out in The Parable of the Sower. Consider the energy in which you are applying for opportunities. If it is with haste, you will reap haste. If it is with desperation, you will reap an opportunity to meet the desire of your desperation but not what you truly want. Note: It is a privilege to be selective. Not everyone has the “luxury” of being reflective if their basic needs are not being met.
You are wandering aimlessly: You may be frustrated with your pursuits because it lacks clarity, center & accountability. Intentionality is key.
You’re ignoring the dead-end signs: I illustrated it plainly to you. A Director of People role being similar to a Director of the Dead. All signs were pointing in the direction of a dead-end in that “recommended” role. I looked into staff reviews of that company, and let’s just say their souls were not coming alive in that environment. Consider why you are looking, where/how you are looking, and better yet, what is staring you right in your face.
I know some of you will simply put this off as an algorithmic error. There are no coincidences under the sun. I chose to seek wisdom in this matter for which the truth came alive. My grandfather once told me as a child that the family would never be without work if we opened up a funeral home. I was terrified. I did not want to be the one saying “I see dead people” every day. As a side, hats off to those that work in this industry. This past year has not been easy for you or the families you’ve worked with. I, we, acknowledge you.
I write this to encourage readers to be led by your spirit. The algorithms will not get it right, but you can be very intentional about your pursuits and rise above the fray. As Les Brown so poignantly shared before, “The graveyard is the richest place on earth because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
What thoughts or behaviors do you need to let die to come alive in your personal development? What dream have you put to rest that is time to resurrect? What is your next step in making that come to life?
Imani Missouri, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Imani Missouri is the Principal Owner of Faith Forward LLC, where she leverages the essence of faith to coach leaders toward their purpose. She has a number of faith-centered sub-brands that motivate women of color to reach their full potential in the professional sphere and beyond. Some of which include the Forward 40 (4tea) podcast, which highlights the experiences of 40 women of color on the rise in the nonprofit and social enterprise sectors. She is also the founder of The Forward Academy, a faith-centered professional development platform for women of color seeking to define themselves beyond their titles. Her career spans experience in the nonprofit, community development, and education sector. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for DIFFvelopment, a nonprofit that creates historically and globally conscious Black visionary leaders who believe in Black business, take responsibility for developing solutions to the issues Black people face, and have unshakeable pride and confidence in themselves. She is also a member of the Medal and Nominating Committees for Smith College.
