Find Your Career ‘Happy Place.’

I have a business card that I made when I first started recruiting. It was inspired by this recruiting card from Apple(Image below). When I hand this card to a candidate they usually smile after reading the back. While sharing one recently I received the same response and I had to ask. “What about that statement makes you smile?” Their response, “The part that says ‘If you’re happy were you are I’d never ask you to leave!” This was the one sentence I didn’t want to change, because for me being happy were you work is a is part of the job description.

Now I am realistic. Everyday day at work won’t be the best. In fact I’ve had days like this…

But even with those ‘ready to call it quits’ days I still love my career, where I work and what I do. With that I have few words of advice from a recruiter to a job seeker.

1. Never Settle. I know we have all taken positions out of necessity. Positions where waking up in the morning was difficult. I remember managing a convenience store. I hated it! But reflecting on my experience there, that position planted the seed that would grow into my current career. I would encourage a job seeker to find an opportunity to learn something from this position that will support your next move or goal. Don’t just settle for the role, use it to feed your passion.
2. Culture Matters. One of the biggest mistakes I have made with candidates is ‘selling’ a position based on the job description fitting a candidate. After witnessing a candidate flourish at a previous position and struggling to stay a float with my company I learned their was more. Their issue wasn’t ability to perform but ability to perform in our culture. So consider the culture and make sure it aligns with the environment you need to be your best.
3. Know What’s Important. Often times the allure of money, position or the company itself can put a blindfold over your eyes. If you are considering another position take a moment to reflect on what’s important. Decide what will be the costs and benefits of the new position. Increase in a salary/position may mean more time at work and less at home. By knowing what is important, job seekers can better decide on a position.

To the many job seekers out there keep pursuing what you love, take advantage of every step along the way and remember what is important. Although these aren’t the perfect solution to being happy at your next position it’s a good place to start. At the very least a few suggestions to ponder.

Happy Recruiting

José Watson

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