Knowing how to stand out from other job candidates is important. This can be tough when there are more job seekers out there than you can count. However, there are several ways to set yourself apart from the competition, one of which could be to consider what you're passionate about. Life coach and creator of self-development program Forward Step, Bibi Caspari, shares some of her thoughts on why considering your passions matter for your professional success. If we're employed, we spend most of our waking hours on the job, especially if we work full-time. If you've got a job and you're only doing what you love after work, you might want to consider changing jobs. “Whatever your job is," said Caspari, “how can you find some way to make it something where you can bring your passion to it, where you can bring your love to it?" Doing something you love as a profession is more enjoyable and creates a better work environment. According to an article published in the New York Times, a recent study by James K. Harter and his other colleagues, “found that lower job satisfaction foreshadowed poorer bottom-line performance." The article went on to say that “when people don't care about their jobs or their employers, they don't show up consistently, they produce less, or their work quality suffers." Caspari's extensive background in cognitive behavioral therapy has taught her how thoughts will affect your outcomes, the quality of your work, your energy, and your creativity. As someone who runs a non-profit organization, Caspari gets to do something she loves and enjoys. However, it also means that she has to do a lot of things on her own. For this, she has learned to develop some strategies for the few things she isn't particularly passionate about. “For the things I don't particularly enjoy, I find my mood sours, I get tired more easily, and I'm less productive," said Caspari. One of the ways Caspari deals with unenjoyble tasks is to relate them to things she loves, like grant writing. “I love writing," saild Caspari. "The kind of writing I like is when I'm working on personal development stories for my blog that can enlighten people and help bring A-ha! moments to people. Grant writing isn't like that, and yet it is writing, and if I think of it as writing... and use words that can really help wake someone up... then I can bring my love of words and my love of writing to the craft of grant writing, and that will help me enjoy what I am doing." In addition, passions can tell employers a lot about you when you're looking for a job. Caspari said she likes looking at people's activities and interests when she hires volunteers for Forward Step because it tells her more about the person and what they have to offer. “In this economy, if you're a dime a dozen and there's nothing that distinguishes you, then how are you going to get the job?" said Caspari. “Don't hide who you are."
