Jobs, Positions, and Careers

From the time of Man’s Fall from grace and innocence, the seeming dichotomy between job and career has been the subject of considerable thought and discussion.  Of course, man – from his prehistoric origins to modern-day – has always been required to engage in activities to sustain his existence and, by fulfillment of his own needs, contribute to the propagation and advancement of civilization.  Presumably, Adam and Eve “worked” at something before they consumed the fruit that made them aware that they were and needed to continue “working.”

Today, virtually all of us need to work – if not to provide us the means to live, then to give us a sense of worth and meaning.  And so, even those classified as “idle rich” require something to occupy their time, minds, and energies; whether that something be gaining a formal education, learning informally via travel or recreation, or volunteering services in support of a charitable endeavor.  In the latter instance, “work” – counter to the common perception – may provide no tangible benefit to the worker.

In common parlance, however, a “job” is something that one needs to do in order to be paid or, as stated in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a “regular remunerative position.”  In my opinion, however, the word “position” connotes something entirely different from the word “job.”  To my thinking, a “position” is a point of demarcation, a step on a path.  And, the path of which a “position” is one of a number of points is a person’s career.

While a “job” is often a means to a particular end – paying the bills, purchasing a desired product, etc., a “position” opens its holder to much more.  A “job” and a “position” may have similar responsibilities.  Yet, a “job” ceases when its function is completed or no longer needed, while a “position” inures to the benefit of its holder – providing experiences and offering the opportunity to build skills essential to advancement into other “positions” of increasing responsibility.  A job leads to a dead-end; a position to a doorway.

To an anxious job-seeker, the distinction between a “job” and a “position” is not always clear.  For the job-seeker intent on building a career, the key is in developing and executing a job-hunting plan that uncovers multiple “positions” correlating with his/her qualifications and offering stimulation, challenge, appropriate remuneration, and the opportunity for continuing growth and advancement.

Of course, any such effective job search must begin with materials of impeccable quality.  The job-seeker’s resume, cover letter, and any other ancillary documents must be articulate and must distinguish that particular job-seeker from all similar competitors.  Then, those documents must be used in a way that enables that job-seeker to optimize his/her exposure within the targeted job market.

While we may all fantasize about the delights of living and “working” in a Garden of Eden such as that experienced pre-Fall by Adam and Eve, the reality is that our careers and our lives are of our own making.  How we prepare and how we act are determinative of the success and prosperity we will enjoy in this life.  Each step that we take is influenced to a great extent by the previous one.

The end-result of combining the best possible materials with a sound job-hunting strategy is the uncovering of multiple opportunities from which the job-seeker can analyze and select those “positions” most appropriate and beneficial to his/her desired career path.  Make no mistake – a successful career begins and matures in accordance with a well-defined plan supported by the job candidate, his/her qualifications, and the marketing materials enabling that candidate to secure the right “position” to advance his/her career path.  Anything less leaves one’s career to chance.