As accompaniment to your own prayer and discernment in job-hunting, here are five Catholic job questions you may considering asking before getting hired.

1. What Does The Company Support?

My brother-in-law used to work for a non-profit that funneled people’s donations to the different charities of their choice. One day he was asked to process a payment to Planned Parenthood. Uncomfortable with being a link in that supply chain, he left soon after. 

We can’t always afford to get into the minutia of working for companies that never seem to stop supporting things which go against our faith, but some stick out more than others. Consider how your work is supporting other organizations beyond the one that sends the paycheck. Will you be asked to directly aid in that support? Inform yourself about how the company you are joining might undermine our faith through their dollars; and listen to your conscience.

2. What Will You Be Asked to Do? 

During the interview process – or even after you’ve been offered a job – try to discover the sorts of activities you will be required to perform as part of your duties. A position might seem morally neutral, but many companies will ask their employees to do or show things that support causes contradictory to our Catholic beliefs. 

For example, will you need to wear a gay pride shirt during the month of June? What about help at a pro-choice fundraiser? Will you be asked to sign something that you disagree with? An example from the past is the national controversy surrounding the bakers who refuse to make same-sex wedding cakes. How would you react if you were that baker? Things that might seem like no big deal to another employee could signal something more serious for you. Exterior support of an anti-Catholic cause – whether or not your heart is in on it – could be scandalous to others. Refusing to support it, on the other hand, can be a stepping stone to sainthood. Just look at St. Thomas More!

3. Will The Work Environment Be Healthy? 

My husband worked construction after dropping out of seminary. Sometimes he’ll bring up the environment of that work and how, little by little, it began to negatively affect him. Your co-workers, your workspace, the language that you hear day-in and day-out; these are all factors to take seriously, especially if you’re choosing between multiple career options.

Work is work and it won’t always be fun, but most people have the luxury of choosing an environment that is at least a little more compatible with their morals. If the job you’re getting into is one that encourages licentious behavior or a continuous taking of the Lord’s name in vain, you might consider taking an alternate route. On the other hand, are your coworkers people who seem to care about others? Is it a professional environment that takes itself seriously? Can you find ways to grow as a person there, rather than fighting to just keep your head above water? It doesn’t have to be a Christian company to have a healthy environment.

4. Will I Find Fulfillment in My Work?

Of these Catholic job questions, this one on human fulfillment is one of the most important to get right! The Church even gave us St. Joseph (whose life offers some practical advice for work) as the patron saint of workers! God gives each of us different gifts and skills that we can use in the workplace, and the dignity of work can’t be understated.

Depending on our stage and calling in life, the fruit that our labor bears may look different. To a father, providing for his family is the most important factor to consider. He may dream of church work, but if it doesn’t pay enough then he may have to look elsewhere. Conversely, a single person may have the freedom to take a lower paying job that does follow their dream career. Neither of these are more or less important than the other; they both allow them to follow God’s calling in their lives.

Understanding the difference between prioritizing a mission (such as family) and becoming a cog in corporate machines is key to this discernment. As a father, are you working so hard that you barely see your wife and children? Perhaps God is asking you to look elsewhere. Or is your career pursuit coming at a similar cost? Look at how to balance work and the rest of your life, and above all how to put Christ at the center.

5. Where is God Leading Me? 

I have heard stories of good people making seemingly illogical, cross-country moves for jobs that come out of nowhere. People close to them shake their heads in wonder and question their motives or even their sanity. Their explanation? “God is leading us there.” 

Whether it is a doctor quitting his practice to move his entire family to mission work in another country, or a girl abandoning a California dream for the sake of a husband and children, sometimes the most obvious option isn’t the best one. Or maybe it is. Listen to that still, small voice – you can even utilize Ignatian discernment – and take a step forward. God uses all of our choices for good if we ask Him to! 

Conclusion:

No matter what age you are or what position you are contemplating, knowing the Catholic job questions to ask before taking a new position will aid in finding a good fit for you. Whether this is your temporary employment or a big step towards a forever career, God is with you!

About the Author

Ella Matthews is an actress and writer who graduated with a Communications Media degree from a film school in California. She loves tea, books and dresses and lives with her husband in Indiana. They are expecting their first child in January!

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

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Now the only thing left to do is, well, find work.

*Crickets chirping*

And you hear yourself ask: “Where can I find a good job as a Catholic freelancer? Did God just give me this calling and then abandon me?”

I won’t lie to you: finding work as a Catholic freelancer can be more difficult than being a secular freelancer. When I first started out, it took me several months to find where all this freelancer work was hiding. But the opportunities are definitely out there. You just need to know where to look!

Build a Catholic freelancer portfolio with your parish

Chances are, the skills you hope to profit from as a Catholic freelancer can be put to use at your parish. Here’s a thought: volunteer your time in exchange for the pastor’s review of your skills and photos and testimonials for your portfolio. You’ll have real life examples to point to, and it’s easy to get involved and be trusted even without prior work experience, simply because it’s your parish. After that, you’ll have your parish to point to as a concrete example of your skills.

Keep in mind, your priests won’t be at your parish forever. If you do a good enough job, they’ll remember you and possibly hire you for real at their next parish. It’s worth it to put in the time now as an investment for the future!

Another alternative could be visiting your local Catholic store or Catholic Charities and offer to volunteer in exchange for building your portfolio.

Join a Facebook group for Catholic freelancers

Trust me. Social media isn’t just for posting pictures of dogs and babies anymore (although please don’t stop doing that, lol). Facebook job groups are a land mine for finding job opportunities as a Catholic freelancer.

For one thing, it’s a great place to grow your skills. All of the professional Facebook groups I am in are focused on a particular area I work in: social media, marketing, writing, etc. The days of keeping secrets from your competitors are over. Freelancers and small business owners have realized that the only way to survive is by helping each other out. You’ll find Facebook groups are a fantastic opportunity for free professional development.

At the same time, many small business owners especially turn to these Facebook groups to find freelancers to help carry their load. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen posts that begin with “HELP! Can anyone build a website or edit my book or fill in the blank for me?” This is a great opportunity for you to jump in and offer to help. (Even better, some professional-based Facebook groups will even have specific job threads where you can find open positions.)

But remember an important rule to follow: Don’t just be there to find gigs or self promote your business. Meaningfully contribute to the conversations and offer some pro bono advice here and there. It will increase the goodwill towards you among the members, and they’ll remember your help when it comes time for hiring.

Start a Catholic freelancer blog

But wait, I can hear you say it: “Isn’t having a blog just unpaid work?”

Yes and no. While you can’t pay yourself for your own posts, they can help you establish your professional credibility, thereby helping people to discover your freelancing services and trust you with their needs.

For example, if you are an IT freelancer, write a blog post about the number one mistake people make when creating a new password or setting up a website. If you are a copywriting freelancer, write a post about finding the best subject lines for emails or developing branding language for your company. Spend some time curating great keywords and subheads for SEO purposes and then wait for the internet to find you! In short, make sure you are answering their needs.

At the end of every blog post, make sure you always include a way to contact you for additional help and include references to the services you offer.

Connect with people on LinkedIn, especially other Catholic freelancers

All of them. Everyone you can find.

LinkedIn is an untapped resource for Catholic professionals, in my opinion. Just type in local Catholic organizations like your diocese or Catholic organizations and start connecting away with the professionals who work there. People who you don’t know in person are much more likely to accept your connection requests on LinkedIn than on other, more personal platforms. A great tip is to include a personal note about why you want to connect! Often, the simple fact that you share the same faith will open doors for you.

You’ll not only learn from some of the best people in your industry, but you also open up a way of subtly communicating to these potential clients. Pose questions, comment on their posts, and share your blog posts and professional opinions on your own page to establish your credibility.

Additionally, you could try the Catholic version of LinkedIn, called OSV Inspire. It’s a new up and coming social media hub for Catholic professionals.

Create a profile on CatholicProfessionals.net and search open jobs! 

Obviously, this is our favorite. 🙂 But seriously, connecting with Catholic professionals has never been easier thanks to our platform. Make sure you sign up for a freelancer profile today and start finding work!

About the Author:

Emily Ricci is the president of Gloriam Marketing, and works as a marketing content and social media specialist at a Catholic college and previously worked at a church for over 7 years. Her past church titles and responsibilities have included working as a Parish Office secretary, sacristan, Weekend Coordinator (ministry supervisor and event coordinator), youth minister, bulletin writer, coordinator of the baptism program, and Faith Formation teacher and assistant. After years in church work, Emily recognized the need for solid Catholic marketing and promotion, but realized that there were no marketing firms in the area that specialized in faith-based marketing.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post How to Find Work as a Catholic Freelancer appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

I was asked last week: “how do I know if I’m called to start a business – let alone a Catholic business?”

Funny enough, I personally don’t know anyone who planned everything out when starting a Catholic business. Rather, God put the call on their hearts, even though they felt completely unprepared and unqualified.

Sound familiar?

It’s possible to resist for a while, however, God will be persistent, and for those of us who have given in, we feel incredibly blessed to have been chosen for this crazy ride.

If you’re here because you got that not-so-subtle tug on the sleeve from God, congratulations! He’s chosen you to do great work, and trust me, if our not-so-subtle God called you here, He’s surely got a plan.

Still, as someone who has been involved in many a ministry over her lifetime, I know a thing or two about how Catholic Businesses do (and don’t!) run. So please, learn from my mistakes!

5 Mistakes to Avoid when Starting a Catholic Business

Don’t – Think you have to go it alone

Nothing like starting a new Catholic ministry to bring on all of the imposter syndrome thoughts, eh? “Why did God call me to this? I don’t know what I’m doing, and I have to do this all by myself. If I accept help, people will know I’m a fraud.”

Seriously, the only one thinking that is you. Everyone else is in awe of your courage and leadership and probably aren’t even noticing your doubts.

The very best thing you can do for your business is to ask for help. Join professional forums or Facebook groups pertaining to your ministry. Search YouTube and blogs, or simply ask for volunteers to help manage some of your responsibilities. No one is meant to be an expert in everything, and no one will think less of you by asking for help. Chances are, they’ll actually respect you more.

Even Jesus asked for help in his darkest moments, so there’s no reason you can’t too.

Don’t – Be afraid to talk about it.

We all have that one friend. You know which one I’m talking about, the one who will NOT stop posting about essential oils, their Etsy shop, or their latest pyramid scheme.

Don’t be that person!

But also don’t be afraid to talk about your ministry. I was out to dinner with one of my best friends a few months ago, and I brought up my business. “You own a business?!” she cried.

Clearly, I haven’t done a great job of telling my friends about my ministry. I don’t want to bother them with it or have them feel pressured to use my services.

But here’s the thing: You’re not trying to sell to your family and friends. You’re trying to sell to their family and friends. 92% of people trust recommendations from family and friends over advertisements. Word of mouth marketing works. So let your family and friends talk about you! They can help you without spending a dime. Encourage them to like your social media posts, share your event or blog information, and leave reviews for your ministry online.

Don’t – Take on extra projects.

I have a really hard time saying no. And that’s a big problem when it comes to ministry.

Because suddenly, you’re saying yes to everything. And before you know it, your small group women’s Bible study is now knitting blankets for the elderly while visiting sick children at the hospital your spaghetti dinner raised money for – and now has no time for actually studying the Bible.

Don’t get me wrong: There are so many efforts worthy of our help. But if your ministry business doesn’t have focus, it will fail. Stick to your thing and say no to anything that doesn’t directly relate to that mission.

Don’t – Give up too soon.

About six months after starting my business, I only had one customer. I was fed up and had a serious conversation with my husband about shutting down. The only thing holding me back was my time of adoration that morning. I felt like God was telling me to keep going. The very next day, I got my first real client.

One of the main things that causes a new ministry to fail is giving up because there isn’t enough interest.

When I was in youth group, my leaders told us about the time they only had one teen showing up every week. It went on like this for weeks until finally someone else showed up and the group took off. Nevertheless, my leaders felt their time and effort was worth it even for one person. This was a lesson I remembered and emulated during my own days as a youth group leader.

There may be only one person God needs you to impact through your ministry business. Isn’t their soul worth it?

Don’t – Let the devil trash talk you.

If you’ve just started a new Catholic business and literally everything is going wrong, then you’re probably doing something right. That’s because there’s nothing the devil wants more than to destroy your ministry, which is bringing people to God.

So don’t let the devil trash talk you. Don’t let him tell you that you aren’t qualified enough or holy enough or whatever enough to do this ministry God has called you to.

Just repeat after Jesus: “Get behind me, Satan.”

So those are a few things you shouldn’t do when starting a Catholic business. What are some things you should do?

3 Keys to Success when Starting a Catholic Business

Do – Learn from others.

Read blogs, listen to podcasts, join Facebook groups. There are so many people out there who have gone through the exact same things in ministry that you have, and you can learn from their successes and failures.

Do – Invest in a planner.

Trust me: I know you think you can keep everything in your head, but your stress will evaporate with a good organizational strategy. Chances are, there’s an online tool directed specifically at your ministry, but even generic options work well. My personal go-tos are my Blessed is She planner, TSheets for time tracking, a Google calendar (which you can sync with other volunteers or employees!), and Google Keep notes.

Do – Pray!

Consider taking up a weekly Holy Hour to pray for your business. You can even bring your work with you to offer up to the Lord (and ask for some divine inspiration!).

Blessings on your new ministry!

About the Author

Emily Ricci is the president of Gloriam Marketing, and works as a marketing content and social media specialist at a Catholic college and previously worked at a church for over 7 years. Her past church titles and responsibilities have included working as a Parish Office secretary, sacristan, Weekend Coordinator (ministry supervisor and event coordinator), youth minister, bulletin writer, coordinator of the baptism program, and Faith Formation teacher and assistant. After years in church work, Emily recognized the need for solid Catholic marketing and promotion, but realized that there were no marketing firms in the area that specialized in faith-based marketing.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Starting a Catholic Business (and 3 Keys to Success!) appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

Importantly, discernment is only needed when you’re deciding between two good decisions; after all, you don’t need discernment to decide between a good decision and a sinful decision. (It may be a difficult decision to make – but you know what to do.) So, for instance, if you have a job selling software for a tech company and are considering taking a job at a different tech company, assuming neither company is doing anything immoral, you can use discernment to make that decision.

Good Spirits and Bad Spirits

St. Ignatius said that the thoughts that occur to us while we are making a decision come from good spirits and “bad spirits.” He believed that the good spirits come from God and His angels, and the bad spirits come from “the evil angel.” Both good and bad spirits can cause either spiritual consolation or spiritual desolation, which can bring us closer to or take us further away from God. The key to discernment is to understand where the consolation or desolation is coming from.

For example, if you are generally living a prayerful life that follows Church teachings, and then you experience spiritual desolation, you can bet that desolation does not come from God – after all, He doesn’t want to sway you from the good life you are living. On the other hand, if you are living a life that’s apart from God, and you experience spiritual desolation, that’s definitely coming from God.

How to Use Ignatian Discernment

The first key to using Ignatian discernment is practice. Like any skill, you can’t just start using it and expect it to work overnight. So, start practicing Ignatian discernment before you have to make any big career decisions. Use it for the small, even silly decisions. Should you take a vacation this year? Or ask your boss for a raise? Maybe work remotely next week? Which task should you prioritize today?

There are a few Ignatian practices to help you build this discernment muscle. One is the Examen, a daily, five-step meditation that includes gratitude, prayer, reflection and planning for the next day. Another is the “colloquy,” which is a type of prayer that involves intimate conversation with God (or Mary, or a saint). As with anything in the Catholic life, having a solid prayer life is the foundation of successful discernment.

Once you are ready to make a big decision – let’s say, whether or not to quit your job – it’s important (and difficult!) to try to create some distance between yourself and the consequences of the decision. This distance doesn’t mean you don’t care about those consequences; it just means that you try to leave your natural biases and emotions to the side so you can examine the decision as clearly as possible. With this detachment, writes Loyola Press editor Vinita Hampton Wright, your “decision-making process can become more well-rounded and holistic.”

In other words, if you’re angry at your boss, try to put that anger aside for the moment. If you were not angry, what would be the reasons you’d want to quit your job? Do you have to take a new step to move further toward your career goals? Or maybe you need to freelance to have more flexibility at home? Perhaps you need more money to support yourself or a family? These questions are easier to answer without the anger that could cause you to make a rash decision.

6 Tips for Ignatian Discernment in Career Decisions

That’s easier said than done, of course. Here are a few tips to make it easier:

• Take time. Unless you have a hard deadline on your decision, don’t make it in haste. It might feel good in the moment to rush into your boss’ office and quit, but you will probably regret it later. Time time to pray, discern and talk over the decision with people you trust.
• Be alone. Talking with others is good. Talking with God is better. Whether it’s alone in your bedroom or at adoration, silence is often necessary to hear those good spirits.
• Be honest – with yourself and with God. What do you actually want from your career, and what are you afraid might happen if you do or don’t make a certain choice? Sometimes, verbalizing our goals and our fears in prayer or conversation is the only way we can identify them for ourselves.
• Tell God, “Thy will be done” – and then ask for the strength to accept it.
• Commit. Once you make the decision, don’t waver, and don’t go back (unless something comes up that confirms that you actually made a bad decision).
• Evaluate. “Discernment is ongoing,” writes author Joe Paprocki, D.Min. Evaluating the results of your decision will not only help you continue on or alter your course but also strengthen your discernment muscle.

The Suscipe

Asking for God’s will to be done is hard. It takes faith that His will is, in fact, best.  It means silencing that voice in the back (or maybe the front) of your mind that says, “But what if His will is something I don’t want?”

St. Ignatius had a prayer for that: the Suscipe. It might be difficult at first, but after practice, it can bring comfort. After all, if God’s in charge … do we need to worry?

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

Taryn Oesch is the owner of Everyday Roses Editorial, LLC, where she writes and speaks for Catholic women. Her role models are all named Teresa, and she keeps discovering new ways they influence her work and her life. An active member of the Raleigh Catholic Young Adults community, Taryn is also a contributing writer to FemCatholic and managing editor of Catholic Women in Business.

The post Using Ignatian Discernment in Career Decisions appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

After nearly two decades in full-time, active ministry, I founded my own company which specializes in helping Catholic organizations find experienced temporary, casual and seasonal staffing. We also offer training and coaching on a variety of ministry related topics. Along the way, I’ve trained several people who have walked away from unsatisfying jobs in the corporate world to devote their lives to the service of the Church. Thinking about following in their footsteps?  Here are some things to consider when making the switch from for-profit employment to work for the Catholic Church.

10 Considerations:

1. Make a Difference:

First of all, you need to understand that you will make a difference in more people’s lives than you may ever know.  I continue to encounter people who express appreciation for the things that God accomplished through our collaboration.  This has happened even many years after we worked together.

2. The need is great:

Parishes need your help-now more than ever! Today’s pastor could be responsible for the administration of as many as five churches.  This is often the case, even with very little support staff.

3. Education options:

Today it’s easier and more affordable than ever before to gain advanced credentials in religious studies or theology.  If you don’t have the degree that is generally required for the kind of work you’d like to be doing, there are lots of good options available.

4. Youth Protection policies:

The Catholic church has strict guidelines related to child and youth protection which differ among dioceses. The best way to make sure your on-boarding goes smoothly is to complete all required steps with the earliest available appointments.

5. Your Example Matters:

Remember who you are and what you represent. You represent your Church everywhere you go. If you are living your best Christian life, this shouldn’t be a big deal, but keep in mind that some people are more critical than others.

6. Work for the Catholic Church means long Hours:

Most work-related conversation takes place outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends. If you have a family, be sure that they understand what may be expected of you, before you dive in head first.

7. It takes time:

Everything takes time. Even in parishes that are less collaborative, a pastor or administrator may need to consult diocesan leadership before moving forward with a particular initiative.

8. Conflicts:

The same conflicts that you’ve witnessed at your current job will probably happen in ministry too. Priests, deacons, and religious are human beings who make mistakes. Don’t be surprised when one of them has a bad day and says something, possibly to you, that you didn’t expect.

9. Work for the Catholic Church probably means lower compensation:

Furthermore, compensation in ministry is generally less than the secular world. If your family relies upon you to be the principal wage earner, you may want to look for side jobs that you can do around the rhythm of pastoral life.

10. Active Discernment:

Lastly, you can begin the transition from secular employment to ministry now, without leaving your current job. Start by discerning the gifts that God has given you, and the ways you can offer them in joyful service to your parish community.

Take the plunge

In conclusion, as you consider whether or not to work for the Catholic Church, there are many things to keep in mind.  As you cultivate a relationship with your parish at a consistent interval, you’ll become synchronized with the rhythm of parish life. As a result this could eventually lead to a paying job in the parish, a recommendation for a paying job in another parish. Your first year will be challenging. You may make mistakes. You may even feel like giving up, but don’t get discouraged. Christ has called you to cast your nets on the other side of your boats. May your catch be enough to feed the ones you love, and the hungry of the world.

Elena V. Brandt is an experienced leader with a proven track record of implementing effective pastoral initiatives.  Elena is a versatile pastoral innovator with over 15 years of experience in intercultural parishes. She has formed liturgical ministers on the diocesan level and most recently, was a presenter at diocesan workshops for the implementation of the Misal Romano, Tercera Edición.

Elena has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from CUNY, Queens College, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, and a Certificate in Church Management through Villanova University & Our Sunday Visitor.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

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