Money can't buy you love

There's a common misconception when looking for your first job out of college.  Most job seekers are trying to find a job that offers the highest pay or the biggest set of financial incentives if certain objectives are achieved at work.  While income and bonuses may seem like a good set of motivators to do a good job and to feel accomplished, the truth is that money is rarely a good enough "carrot" for any professional.  There are deeper, more meaningful motivators that you should try to find.

One of my favorite authors and speakers, Dan Pink, says these intrinsic motivations are "Autonomy," "Mastery," and "Purpose."  Watch Dan's presentation at the recent TED Conference (August 2009).
He tells a great story and he will inspire you to focus on those three intrinsic motivators as you conduct your job search.

Dan is the author of two of my favorite books, A Whole New Mind and The Adventures of Johnny Bunko.  I consider them essential reading for anyone trying to figure out their dream career.  His new book, Drive, is all about the science of motivation and it will be available in December.

Six questions and two weeks to personal clarity

I've been away for a while ... literally and figuratively! It's funny how life has a way of consuming your time if you're not careful.

I just read a very good book by Ernie Zelinski called Career Success Without a Real Job: The Career Book for People Too Smart to Work in Corporations. He's got some great advice in there about how to find your passion and launch a career that is both satisfying and lucrative.

If you're struggling to figure out what you should be doing for a living, use the following six questions that appear in Ernie's book to help you sort it out. I recommend that you create a document with these questions listed and add to it every day for two weeks. Spend just five minutes reflecting on the events or your day every day for 14 days. Add new information to your answers under each question. After two weeks, set aside 30 minutes to review the whole set of questions and answers. I think you will find a very clear picture of who you are and what you love to do.

Here are Ernie's questions:

1) What am I good at?
2) What are my strengths and weaknesses?
3) Which talents and accomplishments do others give me compliments for?
4) Which talents and strengths would I like to use and improve in a career?
5) Who does the kind of work I would like to do?
6) What work would I do for free just for the enjoyment?

Let us know what you discover.