With spring’s welcome arrival, gardeners eagerly take to their gardens—planning, cultivating soil and sowing the seeds that will yield a bountiful crop. As you explore a new career or search for a new job, you may have noticed its similarity to planting flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs. Both are all about context. The secret to great gardening is having the right plants in the right environment with the right timing. So goes career discovery and work search.

Do you love to garden? You join millions of people who enthusiastically tend their gardens every year. For weekend hobbyists and master gardeners alike, gardening is a source of deep satisfaction. It takes planning, preparation, continual care and lots of patience. It requires a generous investment of self, time and knowledge.

Those of you with green thumbs will laugh at my naïve attempt this year to grow a few vegetables. The seed packet label is very specific—spelling out the type of soil, how to place the seeds, the requirements for water, temperature and sun. Having followed the guidelines, I eagerly await the fresh, tasty harvest!

A rewarding work search—what’s on the packet label?

There are no magic formulas, no instant just-add-water directions. But there are guidelines and strategies that will increase your probability of success.

1.  Start here. Have you clearly defined what you really want? Are you pursuing the opportunities that best fit your talents, values, skills and preferences?

2.  Preparing. Are you well-versed on the trends, players and new technologies in your industry? Staying current will help differentiate you.

3.  Right place, the best working environment. Are you spending time and energy researching/locating the most promising prospects—organizations and people—through information resources, professional associations, business groups, relevant social networks, asking for referrals?

4.  Working your action plan. Do you actively focus and target your efforts—rather than taking a scattershot approach, hoping something might germinate? Landing just anywhere won’t serve you.

5.  Tending. Do you cultivate your business relationships? It’s one of the best investments in your professional growth you’ll make. Besides keeping you in the information loop, it gives context and enjoyment to your work life. Staying connected enriches your professional experience and makes this all worthwhile.

You’re creating a work life most conducive for you to thrive and achieve full potential.

If there is no gardener there is no garden. -Stephen Covey, First things First

Today’s question

Are you cultivating your career opportunities as attentively as you tend your garden?