Photo courtesy of Keith Cooper.

Brian Ray is a career advisor, speaker, writer and author of “Created for Good Works.” Brian founded Crossroads Career Network, a national membership of churches and career ministries designed to help people find and pursue God’s vocational calling in their lives. During his career, Brian has owned executive recruiting firm Primus Consulting, has served as VP of Human Resources & Administration for Chick-Fil-A restaurant chain, has served as VP Partner for Fleming Associates executive search consulting firm, and has held positions in advertising management for two advertising agencies and for John Deere Corp.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• [3m 12s] How did you get to where you are in your career today? Started in advertising agency business, then went to executive search business, then God led him to the Chick-Fil-A company, then started his own company, closed it, turned over Crossroads to others, and is now retired.
• [7m 20s] Worst career moment and what lessons learned: Left a small company for a very big company and received better pay: problem was that he ran into the division operations head whom he was supporting and found out that he was against everything Ray was promoting, so he left and was confused about next step. He looks back on it now and is glad it happened because it deepened his relationship with God; lesson: look before you leap.
• [9m 10s] Main reason for taking better job mentioned previously: Money and power and perks and feeling like he was in the “big leagues”. Understands now those aren’t good reasons for taking a job!
• [11m 20s] Anything you would have done differently? “Reference the employer”. In other words, make sure the employer is a good fit for you just like the employer is trying to make sure you are a good fit for them.
•  [17m 0s] Biggest career success and what made it so successful? Was working with Primus Consulting and was also spending time around the Crossroads ministry and decided to work 20% at revenue producing job and 80% at Crossroads; letting go of what he thought was best and purusing what he thought the Lord would have him spend time on.
• [23m 6s] Time when you were confused about which career path to take and how did God clear the smoke? Wasn’t sure which of the careers mentioned previously should’ve occupied most of his time; issue resolved itself when he realized that all of it belonged to God and that he wasn’t just doing it for Him but also in Him and with Him. God provided some financial miracles that helped him understand that you can’t out-give God.
• [24m 29s] Three things that you would tell a new start-up to help him/her be successful: 1) seek to serve, not to get; 2) be very clear about proposition or business model; 3) don’t be afraid to fail
• [26m 47s] Personal habit that has contributed to career success: do the hard stuff first
• [27m 45s] Ways to reach Brian Ray: email: brian@crossroadscareer.org

BONUS TIME

• [30m 16s] Biggest weakness(es) in the workplace: easily distracted, easy to get over-committed, can’t keep track of details
• [31m 41s] How have you shored up those weaknesses? God has provided people to help him in these areas
• [33m 21s] Biggest strength(s): creativity and big picture mentality; he refers to himself as a conduit
• [35m 15s] Most impactful way you have influenced others for Christ through your career: always tries to think of others and treat others like one of God’s masterpieces
• [37m 57s] Was there a time when God directed you down a career path that didn’t make sense to you or that you weren’t comfortable with? And if so, what happened? one of his friends was planning to go to China so Ray and his wife became this friend’s sponsors. Then later members of their church suggested Brian and some guys going to China to see how this friend was doing. And Brian didn’t want to go. But he went. It turned out to be very beneficial.
• [41m 32s] One personal habit that has driven career: personal time alone with God very early every morning
• [43m 43s] Productivity tool that has helped you achieve maximum effectiveness in the workplace: composition book
• [45m 24s] Number one book that you would recommend other than the Bible: Impact Player by Bobby Richardson. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.
• [47m 28s] Best advice for high school seniors: work for fun; try new things; do what you love, but also be prepared to do what you hate sometimes

Resources Mentioned:

• In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.
• Impact Player by Bobby Richardson
• Get a free audio book version of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day or Impact Player with a free trial of Audible.

Sponsors:

• Amazon.com. Shop Amazon.com via this link and a portion of each purchase will go to support the Career Callings Radio Show.
• Samaritan Ministries If you apply, please list Robbie Romeiser as your referrer to support the Career Callings Radio Show.
• Hostgator.com
• Amazon Prime (Free Trial Offer)
• Audible.com

Killer Resources:

• Get a FREE audio book at Audible.com.
• Daily devotions from Robbie Romeiser at TodaysQuoteFromGod.com.

Subscribe to Career Callings Radio!

Robbie Romeiser is a commercial real estate broker, real estate instructor, and author of the daily devotional Today’s Quote From God (www.TodaysQuoteFromGod.com). Desiring to help his own children follow God’s calling in their lives, Robbie founded Career Callings (www.CareerCallings.net) to help people find, prepare for, and pursue the work God has called them to do. To have Robbie speak at your church, business, professional association, or civic club, please email Robbie at robbie@careercallings.net.