Clint Bieri » Job Hunt

All we want for Christmas…

Clint — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:02:36 +0000

Merry Christmas!!

It has been just over a month since my last full post. It has been great to keep up on all of you through Facebook and Twitter. I wanted to again give an update on what God is doing in our lives. And show you what our Christmas list looks like!

We are now seeing pretty clearly that God is moving us in a direction of Church planting! We will be doing a “Church Planting Residency” at a church that is 2 years old in Centerburg, Ohio called Center Point Church. Here is the location of Center Pointe for you to get an idea of the area.

View Center Pointe Church in a larger map
Center Pointe is led by Josh Franks who is quickly becoming a person for me to call a friend and a ministry partner. Josh and his wife Jen are expecting their first child to be born at the end of January I know that they are very excited!

So I said I would let everyone see our Christmas list… ok here it goes!

Our home is on the market and we are asking God to sell it in HIS time. If you would like to check out our home or you know of some one who has a Christmas list that includes a new home (hint, hint) here is the link so that you can check it out!!
Finding a rental home or an apartment to rent near Centerburg and still be close enough for Christina to drive in to Columbus!
God would continue to mold us and shape like he has been over the last 6 months. And that we would continue to answer yes to His leadings.
God would continue to provide for our financial needs.

Thanks again for all of your love and support. We will be in touch!

48 Days to the work you love – Do they like me? Do I like them?

Clint — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:35:28 +0000

The interview is something that will separate the men from the boys in terms of whether or not you are comfortable in your own skin. The interview is the place where the job war is one and lost. Having a great interview I learned takes practice and there are actually things I can practice in order to interview well such as; making eye contact, lean forward, and smile. There are others and even in this chapter our author (Dan Miller) gives list after list of common interview questions to practice with. Chapter 8 was good for me to go through to remember what the interview process is like because I haven’t done this in a few years. I am really ready to share what God is doing in my heart and life and how I can benefit an organization for God’s glory.

Question: Can you clearly describe your strongest areas of competence?

Answer: Leading groups of people toward a goal, Creativity solving problems, Big picture vision casting, Relational ministry in showing Christ to people, and communicating the gospel to people both Christians and not-Christians.

Question: Does knowing that interviewing means “to see about each other” make it more comfortable to ask for information about the company or position?

Answer: Absolutely! I guess you could call the interview a first date. You don’t move to fast out of respect but at the same time you want to know if there will be a second date or not.

Question: Are you aware of any personal habits or annoying filler words that may be part of your personal presentation?

Answer: I chew my finger nails when I get nervous (long time habit), Until i settle in (especially when preaching) I use UM as a filler.

Question: Is your level of enthusiasm contagious?

Answer: I really want to be in vocational ministry and I believe that I communicate that well. I have a real passion for Jesus’ Church and for people who know him and for those who do not know Him.

Question: What are some unusual questions you know of that have been asked of you or others in an intgerviewing situation?

Answer: I only have one that is worthy. I understand why the question was asked but at the time I was like – what???? The interviewer asked how often my wife and I were having sex!

Question: How can you be humble and godly and still show confidence?

Answer: Be enthusiastic about the truth of who you are. Not embellishing but putting your best foot forward. Not lying but being confident in the things you are great at!

Question: Would you ever take a position even if you knew it was not a good fit for you?

Answer: I don’t want to ever take a position I knew was not a good fit for me. I know that could be a temptation but I know how wild it gets when I or other people are in a position that does not fit!

48 Days To The Work You Love – Finding your unique path

Clint — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:53:32 +0000

This chapter of 48 Days looks at where job leads come from and even states that while many companies allow resumes to be sent via email they still like getting paper files as an email is seen as intrusive! I never once thought that. Maybe this is generational? I will have to begin asking people. So people, If you were hiring for a position at your company would you rather: have a cover letter and resume emailed or have a hard copy sent to you? When you respond to this question please tell me what generation you are a part of (i.e. Builder,Buster, Boomer, Gen X, Millennium). Thanks for your input. Now, on to this chapter’s Q and A.

Question: Are some job markets more secure than others?

Answer: It would seem like the markets of health care, nursing, funeral homes and dentistry would be solid (well maybe not dentistry!). But really where people are relying on people would seem to be pretty stable. But what I have seen and heard over my life thus far is that if I am trying to find security in my job then I have created an idol that I need to repent of. The reality is that today we are not seeing people retiring from companies after 35 years. These folks are few and far between. I still like the idea of being in one place for lots of years but with technology changing the work place so quickly yesterdays “secure” job may be gone tomorrow because of a new iPhone app!

Question: What are the best places to look for new opportunities in today’s workplace?

Answer: I believe the best places to start are the people that you know who know people. Lots of markets deal with people and having relationship with people across networks are key. This is the primary tool that I am trying to use as well as trying to learn because it is hard to do sometimes. Also, “stick to it” attitude and follow through are key to finding the right fit. Just getting out there and looking around, from internet adds to company web pages which have postings.

Question: What are the biggest mistakes you’ve made in the past in looking for new possitions?

Answer: Thinking too much about the job. Trying to read too far into the internet add or what people tell me instead of having face time with the organization. Also, just not pulling the trigger when my heart says “GO!”

Question: How do you feel about promoting yourself?

Answer: It feels like pride to me. I know that I can be prideful and so I have to keep this side of me in check. So I sometimes have a hard time saying, “I can do that the best.” I know that for this job search though it will have to be honesty that wins out. So if I can honestly say, “I can do that” then I need to speak up. If I know that I am not good at something then I need to be honest about that as well.

Question: How do you know when to change jobs or careers?

Answer: I think that the job or career changes have much to do with what the Holy Spirit of God is saying to your heart. The Holy Spirit is the one who says stay or go. Confirmation of the Spirit’s leading is felt in how your view your job or your career. If it is still a joy then good sign you should stay if it becomes the thing that sucks the life out of you, then you need to take a hard look at the fit and what God is trying to speak into your life.

Question: How should we apply the principles found in Colossians 3:23-24 as workers in this day and time?

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ “

Answer: My work for the Lord should always be even better than for my earthly boss. If I do my for God then I will be doing all the things that my boss wants me to do. Even as your own boss, you should then submit yourself to God so that you will never believe that you are in charge. We will receive our retirement in heaven! That will be our reward so work as well as you can for Jesus as long as you can for His glory and fame. The constant reminder that we are “serving the Lord Christ” is really cool. No matter what we encounter we work for Jesus.

48 days to the work you love – 6 job offers in 10 days

Clint — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:50 +0000

Now that I am back from a wonderful missions trip to Costa Rica with 27 other of my close friends. I can get back to my vocation safari! Chapter 6 of the 48 days book goes through several myths of the job hunt. One of those is that the resume will be the only thing that will get you a job. There are other things that go into a successful job search like the interview and the job searcher to know and understand their unique gifts and abilities.

Question: Do you understand you areas of competence?

Answer: Yes, I believe I have a good understanding. I am a big picture guy who loves to build teams and empower them to do ministry together. I love the Bible and preaching is a wonderful thing to me. I am creative and think well outside the box. I like to find solutions to problems.

Question: Do you feel trapped because of your current or past work experience?

Answer: No not at all. I love being in ministry and I especially desire and truly love being in church leadership.

Question: Do you recognize how easily you abilities may transfer to a new industry or profession?

Answer: I do. I have a love for people and ideas. I work well with many types of people and walks of life. I am ma learner so I know that I can understand the job and become good at it as I learn.

Question: Can you see value in those things you may have done as a volunteer through your church or community?

Answer: Yes. serving people can be used any where at any time for any job.

Question: Are there skills or training you need to make you a candidate for the work you love?

Answer: I am interested in church planting so I think I need to read a few more practical books on the subject as well as have a mentor to ask real questions to.

Question: Has God given you abilities that do not match you desires? If so, how can you reconcile those?

Answer: God has given me many abilities. I think all of them fit what He has called me to do. I am often told that I am a jock of all trades, master of none. So sometimes narrowing down and being specific can be a problem when thinking about future places and positions of ministry.