There are secret formulas for the best hot sauce and high performance gasoline – and yes, there really is a secret to finding the 'perfect job,' too.

As a business coach, I have developed all kinds of terrific statistics and theories that have built a foundation for helping people make better decisions. For example, the majority (63%) of people graduate from college with Bachelor of Science degrees they did not plan for. Along the way, college career counselors influence less than 15% of graduates; and, North American teachers rarely address real world situations in the undergraduate class room. It’s all theory and reaction once a graduate hits the street.

Only 19% are recruited off of the campus - for example, accounting majors and engineers. So, most graduates end up working in fields that are unrelated to their degrees. Before they know it, they find themselves in “reaction mode” and “working hard” in jobs that leave them unfulfilled. After getting married, starting a family and securing a mortgage, less than 20% of male blue collar worker’s will seriously consider changing their career field. When I coach people it often becomes evident that they rarely consider what they want to do and are always involved with what they think they have to do in order to get by. Does this sound familiar?

Here is another interesting statistic. In 2006 we did a survey of 100 CFO’s and their HR Managers. We found that 49% of the people they hired off of Monster.com did not receive promotions, and the average length of time the employee spent at the company was only nine months. The view is that the quality IQ of people with resumes on Monster.com typically represent the lower percentile of potential employees for specific skills – or are actually employed but using company computers to surf the internet looking for other work. Employers don’t want to rely on Monster.com; and, if you want respect from hiring managers, you don’t want to be recruited off of Monster.com.

Finding the perfect, or at least, the ideal job around a well-thought-out career path is based on common sense and focus. It’s simple, but not always easy.

Here is the formula:

What are you really good at?

What do you want to do?  And...

Who needs you?

If someone stopped you in the line at Starbucks and challenged you to describe the “perfect job” in under 30 seconds, could you do it? Of all white collar workers, 77% can’t do it. Are you one of those people that blast your resume out to everyone you know requesting leads and other help, and wonder why few people, if anyone, bothers to respond? On the other hand, if you saw an email from an acquaintance describing a job opportunity with a company you knew, and precisely why they were a great fit (and their resume actually matched the job description), could you, would you, help them? Probably.

Consider this:  There are many CEO’s that are very good company and product “evangelists” but would be better, and more effective, at sales. By the way, there is a reason why the best sales professionals (10%) make 80% more money than their neighbors. By the way, you have probably heard that the 10% of salesmen make 90% of the money on most sales teams.  On the average, this is accurate. HINT: They are instinctive listeners and they follow through with calls and delivery. They also tend to do good and solid research.

Most people don’t want to be in sales. But, great sales people love what they do. Sales is the life blood of every business. So, smart CEO’s make sure their sales people are very well compensated. To me, it’s pretty obvious when a company does not have a “sales culture.” Those companies don’t grow. But, this will be a good topic for another day.

Let’s walk through an exercise around trying to find a different or better job. This works whether you have been laid off or you want to organize your own career transition.

Phase I

Sit down with your spouse on a Friday evening. Each of you needs a piece of lined paper and a writing instrument. Give yourself 10 minutes and come up with a list of 15 things you are really good at. Your spouse also needs to come up with 15 things you are really good at. Don’t over think it, and don’t worry about work and life boundaries. When you are done with the lists, compare them. If there are five similar traits or qualities at roughly the same point on both lists, it’s a good bet these are things you are actually good at. Mind you, this is not a skills evaluation. But, behind every great man there is a woman rolling her eyes. This is also a great time to really listen to the input of your spouse, and not be defensive. This simple exercise will loosen you up, and gets you thinking.

Phase II

Remember this quote... “Follow your dreams, and be true to your friends.”

Meanwhile, make another list of dream jobs. This may seem overly simplistic. But, it works in terms of developing discipline and a strategy. Compare this list to your list of five things you are good at. Things to consider... If you are not a good leader, don’t try and run a business. If you don’t like risk, don’t start a business. If you are not an expert, don’t try to be a consultant (this is a trap many men fall into after they are laid off and their self image is low). For the sake of this article, lets say you want to start a business. Remember three things... You need a plan; you may need enough savings to work through up to 18 months without income; and, your wife better be “dialed in” and on-board with the plan. While coaching men I have discovered something amazing. Over 70% of them start making more money and feel they have more balance in their lives if they find a job or line-of-work that they researched and planned over.

Phase III

Once you have a sense of what you can do, and want to do, start thinking about what specific companies or types of companies need you. This establishes a frame of mind around finding a job that is on your terms. For example, don’t try to force your way into Starbucks just because they are big, established and offer great benefits. Ask yourself if you can make a difference there and if your experience and skills are relevant.

Next, create an Excel spread sheet with as list of companies that catch your attention. This is a Target List. Start researching those companies. Information really is power. The more you know, the better decision you can make. Most of us don’t take stock tips from golf outings seriously. So, why would you invest yourself into a company you have not thoroughly researched? Do the companies on your list actually have job postings that match your resume? Are you willing to take a step back in your perceived career-path? Do you know people at those companies that could be a “pull-through-advocate” for you? If the company does not match a good percentage of your criteria, take it off the list and only focus on companies that match your terms. Have you ever noticed that when you really want something and you've thought it through, you usually achieve your goal? Why should your career be any different?

Phase IV

Build a resume that can be quickly customized for job opportunities that match your Target List. Share your Target List freely and ask for help from people that can be pull-through-advocates. When people post their resumes on the recruiting boards (i.e. Monster.com, etc), 90% of them do not get any response. That is no way to conduct a career search or transition.

Use this plan and go from being “reactive” to “proactive,” and your odds of getting the perfect job will increase dramatically.

I have the perfect job. Most of my career was spent raising money for companies and then building their leadership teams. Today I spend most of the day talking to my friends and helping people make better decisions. Along the way, I help build cultures that endure.

About the Author: Brian Cork has raised over $500 million dollars in private placement capital for a wide array of companies across every industry; recruited and counseled hundreds of executives and other decision-makers; and, has actively participated in building dozens of successful organizations.

Brian was named to London's prestigious "Ol Man Society" for his contributions as a businessman and philanthropist - and, his well-balanced approach to life. In addition, Brian has been selected by Catalyst Magazine as a "Top 50 Entrepreneur", and Great Britain's G2 economics as a "Coalition Member of the Year". Brian cork Human Capital has been named to the 2007 Inc. 500 as one of the country’s fastest growing and most influential companies.

Brian resides in Alpharetta, Georgia "horse country" with his wife of seventeen years, Joanne, and their daughters Haley Anne and Emma Jo.

Brian has a BLOG, www.unsinkablebriancork.com, and is currently writing his first books entitled Dear God: I am Dancing In My Head, This Would Be Jefferson's View, and The CEO Handbook. If you are interested in working with Brian, please visit his website at www.bchcroi.com.