Upward - Hear God’s Calling

The first of the 7 Steps in You Are Created For Good Works lays the foundation for the rest of the process. If your goal is to hear God calling, maximize your potential and get the right job, you have to start by having a healthy and growing relationship with God. To hear God’s calling, you have to spend time with Him and listen.  God has given us the Bible as His word to us...to help us understand what He wants for us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

The workbook is your guide to each step. In Step 1, you’ll learn how to love God completely and focus your attention upward. He knows everyone and everything everywhere, including you, your past, and His plans for your future. Discover 11 ways that help people hear God calling and follow His leading-   Click Here

Resources

Below are links to resources designed to help you in this step of the Action Plan. These are designed to go along with the workbook content, but can be used independently as well. 

General

7-Step Action Plan Diagram - This graphic illustrates the foundation and flow of the 7-Step Action Plan. You can follow the plan sequentially or start at whatever step addresses your highest felt need right now. 

Career Questionnaire -To better understand your current and future potential work situation, career development and/or job search, complete this questionnaire. It will help you see where you are, and how you can communicate to others who can help you in career groups, workshops and coaching.

Check Your Job Satisfaction- A list of questions to ask yourself about your current situation. Are you fulfilled, need work now, or somewhere in between? 

Weekly Progress Review-Preview Exercise - A handy printable exercise designed to help you reflect on and celebrate your weekly accomplishments and set SMART goals for the week to come. 

Daily Workplace Inspiration - Visit https://todaygodisfirst.com/ for today’s devotional content to help you put God first today. 

Discover Your Calling

Hearing & Following God’s Calling - Learn 11 ways to help you hear God calling and follow His leading.

Career + Calling = Maximize Your Career - What are the differences and similarities between career and calling? This printable worksheet will help you learn about these terms and reflect on how they apply to your job search. 

Thrive at Work Everyday - Visit http://worklife.org/ to find resources designed to help you thrive at work. 

Make Bad Work Better

Glad or Bad Mood- This post on the Crossroads Career blog gives you tips on how to improve your mood and feed your brain positive thoughts.

Secret to Job Success - This post on the Crossroads Career blog discusses how to make bad work better, whether it’s improving your attitude and contribution at your current job or starting to search for a different job. 

How to Thrive at Work -  Derwin Gray of Transformation Church near Charlotte, NC spoke passionately about the purpose of work – not just to survive but to thrive. Visit the link for a summary of his sermon and a video of the sermon in its entirety. 

Career Stages & Ages

Teens to Careers

Explore! Prepare for Life after High School workbook - Explore! is a free version of the 7-step action plan designed especially for college- or career-minded high school students. 

Christian Colleges & Universities - Looking for Christian Colleges and Universities that offer degree programs that fit your needs and interests?  Visit The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The CCCU is a higher education association of more than 180 Christian institutions around the world. CCCU institutions are accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities whose missions are Christ-centered and rooted in teachings of the Christian faith. 

Community Colleges Near You- This search tool from the American Association of Community Colleges will help you locate a community college in your area. 

Internships for Students -The Chegg internships website helps you search for internships based on keyword and location, as well as providing other helpful resources about internships. 

Guide to Colleges & Grad Schools - Peterson's comprehensive online college search guide helps students discover their best-fit educational program, then helps to sort through options and provide advice on the often confusing college application process.

Discover! Prepare for Life after College workbook - This Discover! workbook is for students trying to decide which direction to take in their college studies and for students choosing a career path to suit their chosen major. Whether you know exactly what your path should be or not, now is the time to begin discovering who God has created you to be and how He wants to bless others through your life and career.

20s – 30s

Top Entry-Level Employers- Visit collegegrad.com for a list of companies who have hired 10 or more entry-level employees this year to get ideas of what companies may be a good opportunity for you. 

After College Job Search Online - Aftercollege.com provides job search tools based on your education, location and interests. 

Learn Management and Leadership - American Management Association offers online classes to help you learn and develop skills in 26 business-related topics. 

40s – 50s

AARP Advice for Working at 50+ - Find many free resources from AARP designed to help you navigate work and job searching. AARP’s goal is to empower people to choose how they live as they age.

Flex Jobs for Extra Money - This blog post from AARP’s blog discusses options like Uber and Airbnb as helpful ways to earn extra money. “The past few years have seen growth in both the gig workforce and the sharing economy. As older adults increasingly use these services to earn extra income, they’re becoming some of the most highly rated providers in these communities.”

Halftime for Success to Significance - The Halftime Institute’s mission is teaching, coaching, and connecting marketplace leaders to discover God’s calling on their lives and engage in the issues Jesus cares about. They offer several programs designed to prepare you for the next season of life. 

Too Old for a New Job? - From the Crossroads Career blog, read Jeff’s story of God’s provision for him when he was looking for a new job at age 62. 

60s + More

If You Are Fired? What To Do When You Lose Your Job - A blog post from AARP with 8 steps to help you make a graceful, educated, and professional exit. 

Career Change - Resources from AARP regarding second careers. 

Start a Small Business - Small business resources from AARP. 

Surprising Truth about Retirement - A Crossroads Career blog post about the challenges and benefits of retirement.

Click to view  Step 2