Dedicated thought given before starting the job (13)

I believe the answer is:

preoccupation

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'dedicated thought' is the definition.
'preoccupation' can be an answer for 'thought' (preoccupation is a kind of thought). I am unsure of the 'dedicated' bit.

'given before starting the job' is the wordplay.
'given' says to put letters next to each other.
'before starting' becomes 'pre' (I've seen this before).
'the job' becomes 'occupation' (I've seen this in another clue).
'pre'+'occupation' is 'PREOCCUPATION'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for preoccupation that I've seen before include "Obsession" , "A matter that monopolises a person's thoughts" , "Absorption, engrossment" , "state of France in 1939?" , "Something totally dominating the mind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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