Time for some soul-searching

I am not a philosopher by any stretch of the word. But I would be a hypocrite if I didn't agree with Plato when he said "know thyself." \nThe college experience is really a means to an end. I propose that the average student's life could be broken down into four distinct categories: class (10 percent), studying (10 percent), sleeping (30 percent) and work or socializing (50 percent).\nSomewhere in your breakdown, find some time for a little soul-searching. I'm not asking that you all become Abraham Maslow scholars, yearning for the attainment of "self-actualization" or "transcendence." \nWhat I recommend, particularly to those in a job hunt, is finding what's important to you because that's definitely important to companies. \nWhy is it important to companies? \nA recent study by Xukor Inc. shows that 80 percent of resumes are misleading, showing how it is becoming increasingly easier to go to a company Web site and submit a resume you believe fits the image of the "ideal recruit." There's only one problem with that: The ideal recruit doesn't exist.\nAlthough recruiters might hint at what it is they're looking for, to this point, no company has been able to develop an equation for a job candidate's qualities and success.\nBecause of such issues, companies have turned to personality testing for two reasons. First, companies see the tests as necessary for filtering through the thousands of resumes they see on a regular basis. Second, companies hope to match a potential candidate to a profile of current "top performers" within their organization. \nSo why is it important to a company to be absolutely sure that not only is a potential candidate being ethical, but that he or she will also be a match with a company? Because depending on the nature of the position, turnover costs of bringing in a new employee can be upward of five times an individual's salary, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.\nNow you're probably wondering, if a company is going to jump through hoops to make sure I'm the right fit, why should I spend valuable time soul searching when I could be spending it at places like Kilroy's or Sports? \nBecause the company only represents half the equation. Another reason companies deal with such a high amount of turnover is because after the "honeymoon" phase ends for new hires, their true feelings and desires start to resurface, which can lead to unhappiness and problems in the workplace. \nThen why take the job in the first place? The money? The power? \nWhy not take the job because it makes you happy?\nMany people think that work is a place to make a living and that it shouldn't be fun. People are scared of doing what they're passionate about because they're concerned that without a big corporate job, they'll lose security. \nMalcolm Forbes said: "The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at doing what they most enjoy." \nWhat is it you want to do?\nYou can find resources to help you in your self-assessment at the Undergraduate Career Services Office in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs or online at ucso.indiana.edu.