The Acorn Principle - Jim Cathcart

The Role of Passion in Job Search

"Experience Strengths"

"If you demonstrate great enthusiasm toward your past and current job, recruiters will be more willing to hire you for a new job you can really get enthusiastic about."

Most job search candidates are either unaware of, or undervalue their strengths. Most play down the potential strengths that come with experience in fast food, retail or jobs that demand physical labor.  You were exposed to a lot more than you think. 

Imagine two candidates walk in to an interview with identical experience.  Each worked 2 years at McDonalds.

The first candidate is asked about the experience and responds, “I just flipped burgers, that was pretty much it”.

Then the second candidate walks in with identical experience but responds:

“My first job was at McDonalds.  It was the greatest experience of my life.  I still have friends that I made while working there.  I’m no-where near the person I was when I started there.  I’m grateful for everything they taught me.

I learned how to work with the public.

I learned how to be responsible.

I learned how to show up on time.

I learned to work under adverse conditions.

I learned how to handle irate customers.

I learned to be good at solving problems and putting out fires.

I learned how to be good at making people feel comfortable.

I learned how to work as a team member.

I learned how to be accountable.

I learned about the importance of repeatable systems.

I learned about efficiency.

I learned about the value of organization, planning and set up.

I learned to display ordinary items and make them look extraordinary.

I learned to do payment processing.

I learned to upsell…do you want fries with that?

I learned that any job can be turned into an art form.

The training was amazing…I learned a few of the secrets that made Ray Kroc a billionaire…and if you hire me…I’ll share them with you.

It was great…

It was wonderful…

I would do it all over again…

The second candidate painted a picture of what they experienced and how they grew.

Same experience… who gets the job?

You can learn to understand your strengths and give quality responses!

Character Strengths

This video is a wonderful introduction to character strengths.  Unlike talent, character strengths can be chosen and developed at will. 

"The Knack"

We all have "The Knack", just in very different areas. These "Knacks" are our natural talents and aptitudes. What kinds of things do you have a "knack" for? Get out a sheet of paper and list them. If you get stuck, look at the exercise called Factory Settings at the top of this page. Then take a look at the "Talent Explorer".

Stop Selling Damaged Goods

Be The "Aspirin" NOT The "Vitamin"

Your First Career Mistake

Go Put Your Strengths To Work

Contribution-The Universal Rule of Hiring

7 Universal Strengths Hiring Managers Look For

Analyze Yourself Carefully

Strengths/Unique Selling Points are the Foundation of Job Search