There Is No “Give Up” In Me
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The best employers like to hear about college students who have overcome obstacles and were able to stick with their goals when things got tough and difficult. Employers know that new employees will encounter difficulties and things that stand in their way. They want to be assured that their new hires will be up to the task.

Students who find that everything is easy in college may not be the best candidates for employment. To determine whether a student can get the job done, recruiters look for students who have previously demonstrated important personality traits and results:

1. Work Ethic - Are you willing to work harder and longer than most others, in order to solve a problem or complete an important job? Examples of you exceptional work ethic can be the deciding factors in many employment opportunities.

2. Problem-Solving - Do you solve the problems that others have given up on, the ones that others say are impossible? Every employer is looking for people who can solve problems and get the job done.

3. Creativity - Do you frequently come up with ideas and approaches when others are stuck? How often do others come to you for advice and opinions? Are you known for finding solutions that remain unseen by most people? Being creative in your area of interest is always beneficial.

4. Risk Taking - Are you usually the first person to try something new? Do you have the confidence to take the calculated risks that can lead to success? Are you able to see more possibilities and reasons to move forward than reasons to stop or quit? Do others see you as a leader? Most good jobs require people to use good judgment, as they face the everyday challenges of the job.

5. Determination - Do you keep going when most others quit? Are you someone who wakes up in the middle of the night searching for a piece of paper to scribble down a few ideas for solving a problem you have been working on? The best answers and solutions usually present themselves to those with the most determination to succeed.

There are other factors that also contribute to your desire and ability to complete a task or solve a problem.

6. A Worthwhile Goal - Critical to support for and buy-in to a goal is that the goal should be important and worthwhile. Wise people do not waste their precious time and resources on goals that do not make something better. Are you able to recognize the goals that should be pursued and those that should be ignored?

7. Information, Resources and Tools - Goals are accomplished in many ways. However, the more complex goals require information, people, money, time, tools and support. Without enough or correct information, resources and tools, few goals will be reached. Are you someone who can obtain the information, resources and tools that are needed?

8. A System or Process - The best problem solvers only take action after they have analyzed the situation and gathered nearly everything they will need. For many accomplishments, a proven system or process to follow can be helpful. Systems and processes are created whenever problems are solved and goals are reached. That system or process can be refined, improved and passed on to others.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions."
- Albert Einstein

9. Ongoing Learning - People who expect to succeed in their lives and their careers must continue to learn, grow and improve. Those of you who stop learning, growing and improving stand little chance for success in this ever increasingly complex world.

10. Criticism - There will always be people who disagree with you, criticize you and try to block your path. They are the nay sayers, the status quo’ers and the perpetual criticizers. You must stay strong and be prepared to deal with those who can only hold you back.

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

Perseverance is a quality that is critical to long term success. Since the most important goals are seldom achieved quickly or effortlessly, people who give up easily rarely have great success. In fact, most of your greatest achievements in life will require a high degree of effort and determination. Are you someone who can you say, “There is no give up in me?”