Every lifetime has its crossroads. Some happen to you and others you can control. Looking for a new job is one of the latter. It may seem that your choices are limited to the Want Ads, answers to your resumes, or tips from friends. But there is a fourth choice, that in which you pick the position and company and go after it. No-one knows better than you your strengths, interests, abilities and goals.

Picture for yourself in a certain position that fulfills all your needs and proclivities. You might say that at the moment, no-one out there is advertising for someone for that position, but you can be sure that there are people out there who wish they had a partner or coworker worthy of the position, but hasn't the time or energy to find one. Attrition is your best friend. Employees leave their positions every day for one reason or another. Retirement, family pressures, marriage, relocation, are constantly whittling away the ranks. The person who is qualified and shows up first is often the one that gets the job.

So do a little research, choose a company that meets your needs. Contact the proper person and ask for an interview. Every boss loves to be able to choose new workers without going through a lot of effort. Be prepared with knowledge of the company, the requirements of the position you want, and dress the part. First impressions are important because it opens the mind of your prospective employer, allowing him or her to imagine you as a coworker. Don't try to impress with a bevy of ideas for the position, but rather present a persona that is willing to learn and has a keen interest in furthering the goals of the company.

When faced with a choice of whether to serve in the Army for two or three years, I chose the three year stint because then I could choose the country in which to serve. I was told that the most interesting and easiest job in the service was radio operator. So I put in for the school and graduated near the top of the class, insuring me a spot in the radio operator MOS.

I once decided to break into the portrait photography field. My previous experience was limited to taking portraits in the home, but I knew that I wanted to eventually open my own studio. I visited many large studios in the surrounding towns and even was brash enough to try out for the studio owner. It soon became apparent that I needed more training and/or experience before I could fill these positions. Upon some expert advice, I searched out the highest volume studio in the area and created a plan to work for them. Monday morning found me at the studio asking for a job. I was informed that there were no positions open at the moment and would have to try again next year. I asked for an interview with the district manager and was told to come back later in the afternoon or if I would rather, wait for her there. The studio manager was a middle aged woman, very friendly, but observing the hectic nature of the studio, was barely keeping up with the traffic. Customers kept approaching me to answer their questions, thinking I worked there. I told them I was just a visitor, but would be glad to answer their questions. I stayed for four hours until closing but the district manager never showed.

The next day I arrived on the dot of nine and this time I was given a few tasks to perform. The manager asked me if I could take over for her in the camera room since she had the monthly reports to do. I of course jumped right in and started taking pictures. Well, I got the job and six months later was presented with the first place award (from a 600 studio chain) for the highest number of points for the year. The $200.00 prize money was supplemented with a trip to New York to meet the bosses and a raise.

This invaluable experience was garnered by photographing up to eighty children per day. This number of sittings would have taken five years to happen in a small studio. I eventually did get to open my own studio and loved every minute.