So how do you get started working with God so you can begin making right decisions and showing good judgment?

Here are four keys to point you in the right direction:

1. Make the decision to let God be God. You'll never make progress in this area as long as you refuse to give up control. It certainly isn't easy, and it certainly doesn't happen overnight, especially if you're a control freak as I once was. It almost drove me completely nuts when I began giving up control of things. But it helped immensely when I realized there was somebody a bit more qualified than me in charge of my life. Proverbs 16 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. (NLT)

2. Study the Word of God. The only way you're going to get to know God and his character is to study his Word. It won't take long before you're able to judge situations and circumstances with a new view. Decisions are easier because you already know in advance the direction you want your life to take.

2 Timothy 2:15 'Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth'. (NKJV)

3. Surround yourself with people who are further along in the journey. There is no reason to learn every lesson yourself when you have perfectly good examples right in front of you. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we often counsel one another from what we've learned through our mistakes. Take advantage of this counsel and learn from the mistakes of others so your own learning curve is not so steep. You'll be very glad you don't have to go through every mistake as you learn from observing and listening to others. But trust me, you'll still make plenty of your own mistakes. You can take comfort in knowing that one day your mistakes may serve to help someone else.

4. Never give up. Be glad about your progress. Let yourself off the hook. You didn't start showing poor judgment overnight and you won't always show good judgment now, just because you want to. Just be happy you're making progress and you're seeing your life improve. Little by little as you gain wisdom from God's Word, you'll begin to see the results reflected in your decisions.

The Top 10 Job Hunting Blunders:

1. Spelling mistakes on a CV/cover letter.

2. Using “crazy” email addresses – sexylovegod@hotmail.com

3. Inventing careers and skills

4. Interrupting an interviewer to look at a text message or take a call.

5. Reeking of that last-minute cigarette as you walk into the job interview. Yuck. Overpowering colognes/perfumes are also bad form.

6. Dressing inappropriately – the way you look should match the image of the company you are interviewing with. Also, jewellery that jangles irritates interviewers.

7. Not setting up a quiet space for a phone interview. Pet noises, house mates/family asking questions or loud music in the background are interview killers.

8. Sharing too much personal information.

9. Bagging your former employer or boss.

10. Not doing your homework about the employer – and worse – calling the employer by the name of their competitor.

7 Steps to Managing Your Career

1. Be sure that you understand your natural strengths, not just your learned strengths. God created you. He “knit [you] together in [your] mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NIV). He has given you natural strengths to use for His purposes in this life on earth. Using your natural strengths is a matter of good stewardship. Many people confuse their learned strengths (based on education and work experience) with their natural (God-given) strengths.

2. Write a career focus summary statement. Once you understand your natural strengths, write a career focus summary statement that clearly communicates your top three to five natural strengths and career interests in light of your experience. This will enable you to tell others what you do best. It also will help you make better career decisions when considering job opportunities.

3. Always keep your résumé current. You never know when you may need to share your résumé with someone. You may want to apply for a new job opportunity or you may be forced to look for a new job.

4. Commit to lifelong learning and skills development. Recognize the need to always be open to learning. Training, education, and reading related to your area of expertise will help keep your skills sharp and marketable. Embrace technology and computers as necessary in today’s workplace. Make sure that you have computer skills needed by most companies. To the extent possible, master skills that companies value, like problem-solving, verbal and written communication, initiative, and creative thinking. Make developing strong people skills a high priority.

5. Write out a career management plan. Seek God’s leading and direction. Write out specific career and learning goals. Revise your plan as God leads and directs you. The Career Direct assessment report contains much valuable information to help you keep your plan in line with God’s plan.

6. Set up and live by a financial budget. Try to save and keep liquid a minimum of three to six months of living expenses to help with unexpected emergencies or transitions. Minimize and, better yet, eliminate your debt.

7 Set up and live by a personal time budget. How much time do you believe that God would have you spend working? Most people cannot work more than 50 hours a week and still have enough time and energy for God, family, and friends. Set up categories for budgeting your time (168 hours per week) according to your priorities.

Finding and serving your Purpose

Once you begin to discover your talents, ask how you can use them in ways that give you meaning. What is your purpose in applying them? Purpose guides you to make conscious choices, instead of simply defaulting to the script. It also motivates and inspires you--especially in tough times. It taps into who you are deep inside--your beliefs, values, and passions for living - and is your source of power and influence.

Finding a real purpose is not easy because it must be heartfelt and based on a personal truth. As Victor Frankl said, "We do not invent our missions in life, we detect them."

Try answering this question for yourself. Ask, "What is my true purpose in life or, who am I?" Either will do. Write down every response that pops into your head, a phrase is fine, and keep at it until one tugs at your heart. You may write a hundred that don't stick; when one pulls on your heart, you are onto something.

That's your purpose for now. Repeat this process periodically, and as you grow your purpose will grow.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

A. This typical interview question could result in a wide range of answers. For instance, you may be extremely proud of yourself for being on a championship athletic team in college. But select an answer instead that will interest the interviewer. Stick to professional accomplishments that will establish your ability to be successful in the position for which you are applying. Use this as an opportunity to explain what you can bring to the table and why the company can benefit from your knowledge and experience.

Q. Why did you leave your last job?

A. The secret to answering this question is to try to avoid negativity. Chances are there is more than one reason you left your last job. But no matter how your last job situation ended, try to keep a positive tone to your answer. If you do mention negative aspects of a previous job, back it up with some positive points as well. If you are too negative about your last job, you may be classified as a chronic complainer or whiner. Remember, your answer to this question will say a lot about your attitude toward your past, present, and future employers.

Q. Why should we hire you?

A. Your best bet is not to answer this question with "...because I'll do a good job." While the question is broad, it's your chance to really focus and sell yourself. Take a few minutes to detail what you can contribute to the organization. Discuss your strengths and qualifications; avoid common terms like hardworking or motivated. While these terms may describe you well, focus instead on your unique God-given gifts that make you a great fit for the position. Discuss your dedication to being organized or your special knowledge or experience in an area specific to the position.

Q. What are your greatest weaknesses?

A. Although answering this question may leave you feeling intimidated, the best way to answer is to just be honest. Give the interviewer a two-part answer: first identify a problem you have experienced in the past, and then demonstrate steps you took to overcome your weakness. For instance, if you have trouble keeping organized, give a positive spin by explaining how you have worked to keep yourself on track. This will impress on the employer that you are capable of recognizing areas in your work that need improvement while also being able to take initiative to improve those areas.

Q. Tell me about yourself.

A. Answering this question may seem easy, but because of its generality you actually may begin to ramble if you don't consider your answer prior to your interview. Pick a few items to discuss and keep your answer somewhat brief. Also, the interviewer is probably not interested in the details of your private life; it's important to relay your professional qualities in your answer. Remember to outline your unique qualities to help you stand out above the rest. If the interviewer does lead the conversation toward more personal conversation, keep it positive. If they asked you if you watched the big game last night, they may be interested in how you'll fit into the office culture or how you'll react to an unexpected question.

Q. What are your salary expectations?

A. How do you safely answer this question? If you don't know the company's expectations, this can be an extremely difficult discussion. The key is to not be too specific. If possible, ask the employer to reserve salary discussions until a job has been offered. If the employer persists, give them a range rather than a specific number. Prior to the interview research the salary range for the field and physical location of the position so you have something on which to base your suggestion.