We've been taught to think that "career builder" is a process out there that we subscribe to. Like those commercials you see on TV for Career Schools. You select one and then get information on how to apply. Then you sign up for a career.

More frequently we just fall into a career. It's often associated with our first job or one of our earlier employments. If it suits us we stay with it. If not we start to look around.

But what if you could build a custom career around a vocation or avocation you're passionate about?

A passionate career builder examines what's going on in life that consumes your mind a heart . . . and then builds a custom job search around it. The reward is that you're extremely committed. And you're able to generate a strong positive response from employers. They're more likely to buy into your passion because of your enthusiasm.

For example, let's say you love animals. In fact, you'd readily give up your current job for the opportunity to be involved with animals somehow. Why not turn that passion into a dream career?

The first step is personal research. Make a list of all the personal experience you have with animals, e.g.

• You own pets you've taken care of in sickness and in health

• You do volunteer work for a local vet or have worked part-time for one

• You know something about seeing eye dogs and how they're trained

• You've shown animals in professional or amateur shows

• You donate time and money to the ASPCA

• You adopted a pet after Katrina

• Etc.

Now list the specific marketable skills that come out of those experiences. You're looking for real life applications that could be valuable to an animal professional or organization. For example

• You know how to administer medications or handle animals who are ill

• You have sales experience that's transferable to animal-related products and services

• You have administrative capabilities that could be useful in a business setting

• You're a quick study when it comes to learning about animals

• You have office or manufacturing experience that's readily transferable

• Etc.

Once you've carefully made those determinations, the next step is critically important. You want to test market your ideas with people who are familiar with animal work and who can give you good feedback. Then you're in an optimal position to say whether or not this is an avenue for you to pursue in the job market.

You can apply the same steps to any other passionate interest. If customizing your search around your passionate interests makes sense, you'll become the career builder of your dreams!