Proactive Job Search…Taking the Initiative…By the way…What is Initiative?

According to good old reliable dictionary.com the definition of "Initiative" is as follows:

in·i·tia·tive - noun

1.   The power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task; enterprise and determination.

2.   A beginning or introductory step; an opening move: took the initiative in trying to solve the problem.

Since we know what the noun is we can assume the adjective to be directly related to implementation of our initiative - The initiative of proactively searching for a job. Whether a matter of career progression or simple survival, any job search must start with and be centered on initiative. Without initiative all things in life become determined by second nature, like breathing for example. Now don't get me wrong, breathing is certainly not overrated, it's just that breathing can be taken for granted, sort of like the idea you will most certainly find a job once finishing college, or the company you work for or position you have will be around for another 20 years.

On our mission to understand and employ (Think positive!) "Initiative," let's start with the second facet of our definition: A beginning or introductory step; an opening move: took the initiative in trying to solve the problem (Okay, now bear with me, the latter assumes that career progression is part of a problem in need of solution). As an introductory step, have we thought about what proactive is (That one you'll have to take the initiative to look up)? Proactive, in this case directly relates to the beginning, the introductory step, the opening move - Your Plan. What plan have you outlined that correlates with your opening move? Have you thought about updating any outdated skill sets or relative industry knowledge? How about your resume - When was the last time you even looked at your resume? Both of these aspects will fall in line as soon as you've grasped the Initiative!

Next, let's back track for a minute and understand and employ (remember to think positive!) the first part of ourdefinition: The power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task; enterprise and determination. For the sake of journalistic integrity I have revisited dictionary.com and will identify enterprise as "Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities" and determination as "The act of making or arriving at a decision." Both of these qualities should sit at the forefront of expected successful results of any proactive job search.

Now that we understand the definition of "Initiative," let's make sure we understand the value. Without initiative our resolve to start a career or take a career turn (To the north) will get lost in the "elevator talk" of self ambition. Don't let this happen to you - Take the initiative and get proactive in your job search. Oh, and if you get a chance, take the initiative and go visit dictionary.com - There's a wealth of information there that should not be taken for granted!