The KingsWord International Church Career Resources Team seeks to help every believer, called to the marketplace, to maximize their potential and stand out positively in what God has called them to do. Our outreaches and services include:• TheCareerResourcesMagazine:

A quarterly publication featuring articles and tips on effective job search, interviewing skills, applications to graduate school and other relevant topics.

• TheCareerResourcesWorkshops: A quarterly informative session covering various relevant topics relating to a successful career. Also includes Q & A sessions and highly impactful presentations.

• One-on-oneResumeReviews• MockInterviewsContact us today at careers@kingsword.org and let us know how we can help you enjoy your career journey.

ABOUT CAREER RESOURCES

CAREERRESOURCES

FALL 2012

ABOUT BEN WILLIAMSBen Williams is an attorney who also has several years of experience in management consulting. He currently heads the career services unit at KingsWord International Church, Chicago.

ABOUT MAYOWA IJISESANMay Ijisesan is the lead consultant at Dyvintel, a business intelligence and enterprise reporting company. She has several years of experience in the Software Engineering/ IT industry. She pastors at KingsWord International Church, Chicago alongside her husband.

2012 CAREER RESOURCES WORKSHOP CALENDAR

Winter Workplace Wisdom

December 30th

ACCORDING to the Meriam-Webster dictionary, to excel means to be distinguishable by

superior quality. I am convinced that mediocrity robs more people of their dreams in career and in life. People want to put in the bear minimum. It’s difficult to find people who are ready to go the extra-mile. Everyone wants to do just enough to get paid, just enough to avoid being laid-off. Just enough to get a promotion. However, there is such a thing as the ‘spirit of excellence.’ It’s an attitude that can affect everything a person does.

A person with a spirit of excellence is not externally motivated but inwardly motivated. The spirit of man is the core of man. The spirit of a thing is always the core of that thing. A person with the spirit of excellence has excellence rooted at his core. He cannot tolerate mediocrity. Have ever you heard fingernails running across a chalkboard before? The sound is very irritating to the ears. You hear it and you want it to stop. That is how mediocrity is to a person with the spirit of excellence. There is a dissonance between what they see and what exists at the core of their being.

We have read of such men in the bible. Daniel was an example. “Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called,

and he will shew the interpretation.” Daniel was known to have an excellent spirit. Can the same be said of you? Notice that the spirit of excellence was found in Daniel. He wasn’t the one going around claiming to have an excellent spirit. He walked the walk. He didn’t just talk the talk. He demonstrated excellence.

The Spirit of excellence always translates into action. What do your actions say about you? Do they show you to be mediocre or an excellent

person? Are you the last to get to work and the first out of the door? Do you grumble and complain when more is demanded of you than expected? Do you have an attitude when your boss needs you to go the extra mile? These are all tests for you. Your response to certain challenges show if you have an excellent spirit or not. Funny enough, this doesn’t just apply to believers. It applies to unbelievers as well. Through my travels, I’ve come to see that too many people are mediocre on the job. They just don’t think it’s worth the effort to put in more than is required.

There is a world of opportunity out there. There is opportunity to stand out positively. You know light shines so bright in darkness. When everything is dark and there is no competing light, you come to appreciate the only light there is. Why don’t you choose

to be the light that shines so brightly at your workplace? Look for ways to go the extra mile. It may start off with something as mundane but you can train yourself to do the unexpected. You find out that most of these things won’t even take you out of your way. What we just need is a change in attitude.

Another person that had an excellent spirit was Joseph. Joseph excelled in Potiphar’s house, excelled in prison and finally had an opportunity to display

his print of excellence in the palace. Most people want to get to the palace but don’t realize that their attitude in Potiphar’s house and in the prison will determine if they ever get there or not. Excellence is who you are even when no one is looking. When you are under stress, what comes out is who you really are.

My advise to you is that you start practicing excellence now. Do it when no one is watching. Be excellent in season and out of season. Identify yourself with the spirit of excellence. Renew your mind to accommodate an excellent spirit and attitude. Practice these things, give yourself wholly to them and very soon your profiting (or excellent spirit), will be apparent to all.

Mayowa Ijisesan

An Excellent SPIRIT

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The Spirit of excellence always translates into action. What do your actions say about you? Do they show you to be mediocre or an excellent person?

Applying To Graduate School

Ben Williams is an attorney who also has several years of experience in management consulting. He currently heads the career services unit at KingsWord International Church, Chicago.

Understand why you are applying e.g. education, advancing your career, switching careers, etc.

Understand ranking and the quality of schools (in many cases certain employers only hire from certain schools):

a. Visit the career department at the school and request information on on-campus interviews and the percentage of graduating students hired by companies that visit.

b. Certain schools have a reputation for certain programs e.g. University of California (Berkley) has a reputation as a Civil Engineering school, Kellogg Business School has a reputation as a management/marketing school, Wharton Business School has a reputation as a finance school, etc.

Understand how to finance the program (unless the school is benevolent enough to provide a free education!).

Visit the school:

a. Talk to current students and alumni.

b. Understand the ‘culture’ and the type of students that are admitted.

Create an application that tells a story about you:

a. Connect the dots on your previous education, work experience and gaps in-between (gaps in education and work experience can explain why you need a degree from that school).

b. Spend several weeks drafting your essay and allow enough time have people edit the essay.

c. Ensure your recommendations speak well of you and understand what the admission committee expects your recommender to articulate in the recommendation.

d. Testing: whether it’s the GRE or GMAT carve out ample time to study (at least 3 months). If you are not a strong test taker, enroll in a prep course and get all the help you can in generating a competitive score.

e. Prepare your resume (if required in application) as if it is for a job interview.

f. Transcripts/grades: if you believe your college grades are not competitive, take a course e.g. at a community college or other program to strengthen the grades you feel are weak. For instance if your statistics college grades are not satisfactory and you are going into a graduate program that is quantitative-heavy, enroll in a statistics course and get a good grade to help strengthen the weaker college grade; and

g. Interview: if an interview is required by the graduate program, treat it like a job interview.

This summary is an excerpt of the annual “Applying To Graduate School” program conducted by the career department at Kingsword International Church. Please contact the career department for times the workshop is held.

Applying to graduate school is a process that should not be carried out with reckless abandon or merely as a last resort. It requires careful planning and also presents an opportunity for a candidate to commit these plans to God (Prov. 16:3) so that they may be established; your graduate school experience should contribute to your larger career plan. With this in mind

below are points to consider that will aid you in your application process:

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b y : B E N W I L L I A M S

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:12)

In making this statement, Jesus was stating the Father’s clear expectation of employees. Faithfulness in what belongs to someone else qualifies you to have your own. Throughout the bible, we have examples of people who have made the transition from being employees to becoming entrepreneurs as part of God’s divine plan for them. Jacob worked for 20 years before he made this transition. At a point during his time as Laban’s worker, he came to himself and realized the need to step out into ‘his own’ (Genesis 30:25-26). To prove that it was God’s plan, we see how God gave him insight into how he could make this transition (Genesis 31:10-13). Joseph was another example of someone who made this transition as he moved from Chief Steward of the prison to Prime Minister of the nation also via a revelation (insight) that God provided for him (Genesis 41:39-40). He practically became the landlord of Goshen (the choicest part of Egypt) at that time through this transition. Daniel was yet another example of someone who was recruited to be part of the workforce of the world’s largest kingdom (conglomerate) at that time but rose to become a major stakeholder in the affairs of that Kingdom, also through a revelation given to him by God.

These examples were set in the bible to give us a picture of God’s divine plan for His children who are

employed within organizations around the world. Please understand that I am not just talking about people resigning their jobs to set up a business but this would also include employees becoming major shareholders in the organizations they work for thus giving them a voice there. I believe it is a shame for someone to work for decades and leave with only a promise of a 401(k), pension or some form of gratuity which will not be sufficient for taking care of them for the rest of their lives. Jacob realized this at a point in his life and decided to be proactive about the rest of his working career. In my few years of working as an employee, I observed that people who have ‘their own’ are also able to be more of a blessing to those around them as they have the resources with which to do this. God’s promise for the believer is to make him/her “self sufficient (possessing enough to require no aid or support

and furnished in abundance for every good and charitable donation)” (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP). Brothers and Sisters, it’s time to wake up to our original and

unchangeable destiny: Dominance in the Marketplace (Genesis 1:27-28).

Words that I have received and heard in recent times point to the fact that the greatest evangelistic pull is tied to the ‘Manifestation of the Sons of God’. Isaiah 2:2-3 and Zechariah

8:23 are scriptures that bear witness to this truth. Bearing all this in mind, how are we to be positioned to be the actors and not spectators in this great fulfillment of God’s plan:

1. Spiritual Positioning: More than ever before, we must become conscious of our location ‘In Christ’ being the seat of Authority (Dominion).

2. Mental Positioning: We have various industries in our different countries and it is important that we develop our skill in the area in which we are gifted/ graced.

3. Geographic Positioning: Not every seed can grow in every soil. Being led by God is key in the discovery of where we are meant to be per time.

4. Physical Positioning: Daily planning and execution with a corresponding measure of discipline are required in recording success in any endeavor.

As I wrap up this article, please note that we will never know you for what you did not attempt. Also, you can never change the world with unutilized ideas. Each day that comes to us is an opportunity to turn divinely inspired ideas into reality. Make the most of your time because it’s time for your manifestation.

From Employee to Entrepreneur

“Each day... is an opportunity to turn divinely inspired ideas into reality”

“Dominance in the Marketplace is our divine destiny”

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b y : P A S T O R O L U J I M I T E W E

Jimi Tewe is the pastor of KingsWord International Church Oregun in Lagos, Nigeria. He is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and career coach dedicated to seeing believers overcome any limitations in their careers.

EVANGELISM in the Workplace

Below are some practical steps I have taken to improve effective evangelism at work:

One of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world. He has been sent to testify of Jesus to the World (John 15:26, 16:8). Recognize you are not alone in this ministry. Your invisible Senior Partner is with you. He knows what the unsaved need to hear, see and experience to be saved. Learn to yield to Him and be sensitive to Him to direct your soul winning efforts.

Many believers often pray for things that profit them at their workplace such as favor for promotion, wisdom to outperform, favor with managers and coworkers, etc. Others pray for the success of their company so that their paychecks keep coming. While these objectives are admirable, the underlying motive is often driven by a misplaced priority. In teaching us to pray, the Lord prioritized praying for the Kingdom of God and for God’s will to be established over praying for our needs. Therefore, praying and interceding for coworkers should take priority over personal objectives. This intercessory prayer for the workplace accomplishes several things such as: illuminating the gospel for those who are blind to it; softening people’s hearts in preparation to hear the word; creating an atmosphere conducive to sharing the gospel; creating divine opportunities for the

gospel to be proclaimed; and providing boldness in presentation, utterance, accuracy and clarity in sharing the gospel.

I once worked with a believer who loved the Lord but had a bad testimony at work. Other coworkers believed he was a free loader and because of that they despised and disrespected him. It was sad to see a believer who was supposed to be the light of the world being mocked and having such a bad reputation. Consider this: No matter how clean water is, if it is presented in a dirty glass most people will not drink it. Living right is so important to earning a right to influence those around us.

The blessing advertises you and attracts people to you. A major part to your light shining is walking in the blessing. Isaiah 60:1-3 talks about you becoming attractive and irresistible by the glory of God.

It is a lot easier to witness to a friend than a stranger. I generally suggest that you should focus on ministering to someone you have a relationship with than to a total stranger at work (except when the Holy Spirit leads otherwise). You must hone your people skills to aid relationship building. As a member of the Kingdom of God you are in the people business. Be proactive in developing your

This article is the conclusion of the Summer 2012 Career Resources article on evangelism.

1) ACTIVELY ENGAGE THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

2) INTERCEDE FOR YOUR COWORKERS:

3) LIVE RIGHT AND MAINTAIN A GOOD TESTIMONY:

4) LIVE THE BLESSING AND WALK IN THE SUPERNATURAL:

5) BE FRIENDLY TO ALL:

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b y : P A S T O R TAY O A K I N Y E M I

Tayo Akinyemi is currently the resident pastor of KingsWord International Church, Romeoville, IL. He is also a computer programmer and a reports developer.

relationships. Below are a few relationship-building tools:a. Give gifts (like on birthdays, etc.): The bible

says everyone is a friend to him that gives gifts.

b. Pay attention to people’s needs: If you will listen long enough you will hear the oppression, distress and pain of the people.

c. Be genuinely concerned about people’s welfare: Ask about their families and what is important to them. People open up when you broach subjects important to them.

d. Smile: Everyone loves an atmosphere of joy.

e. Greet: Everyone loves to be acknowledged.

f. Take people out to lunch: It’s amazing how people open up over food; especially when it is free!

g. Compliment people: Everyone likes to be praised.

h. Be considerate: Nobody likes to be around a selfish person.

i. Understand protocol: Find out how to

conduct yourself gracefully.j. Be patient and forgiving: Nothing melts

people’s hearts like receiving grace when they have messed up.

Romans 1:16-17. The gospel is the power that saves. It must be presented before people can be saved. Living right, living blessed and being friendly is not a substitute to presenting the Gospel. These things adorn the gospel (Titus 2:10) and make it easier for people to receive it. However, if the message is not presented, people will not be saved.In conclusion, Jesus said the harvest is truly great but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37). The biggest hindrance to the harvest coming in is the laborers in the vineyard. I pray that as you read this article the Lord will encourage, equip and thrust you into the harvest field. The urgency is great, the harvest is over ripe, and it’s time to reap the massive harvest of the corporate world.

6) PREACH THE GOSPEL:

EXCELLENCE NUGGETS

by Pastor Kay IJISESAN

IF YOU ASSOCIATE RIGHTLY, YOU WILL RISE QUICKER IN LIFE. Your associations determine your achievements or limitations.

ADJUST YOUR COMPANY TO FEED YOUR PURPOSE AND VISION. Your friends must merit their presence in your life.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT WILL KEEP YOU INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED. The direction of your life is a function of your association.

CULTIVATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUCCESS BY CONNECTING WITH SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE. Your association determines your destination.

DISCERN THE DIVINELY ORDAINED RELATIONSHIPS AROUND YOU.God sends people into your life to raise you while the devil sends people into your life to destroy you.

ACHIEVE A SENSE OF FULFILLMENT BY ENSURING THAT YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS KEPT IN ORDER.Order creates happiness and fulfillment.

FORM HABITS THAT WILL MOVE YOUR LIFE FORWARD.A man’s way of life has a lot to do with his outcome in life.

ENHANCE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN LIFE BY BEING ORGANIZED. Practice order by living in a clean and tidy environment.

ALLOW THE BLESSING OF GOD TO COME UPON YOUR WORK BY PUTTING THINGS IN ORDER.God cannot bless your mess.

byShola

Ezeokoli

DILIGENT MAN

This is an excerpt from ‘Precepts of Excellence’ authored by Pastor Kay Ijisesan

Do you see that man?Diligent in his work Before kings he shall stand Not after mere men lurk.

He works night and dayDutiful in his taskHis reward one can seeYou don’t have to ask.

When the lazy oneCries for want and lackThe one who does the workIs smiling to the bank

If you have a dreamWork hard to pursueYou will be amazedWhen it does come true

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