Finding the Right Fit. Pursuing your Passion.

Written by: Chane da Costa

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined” a quote by Henry David Thoreau. Many people make the mistake of choosing a career based on the salary they will be getting at the end of the month. By choosing a career based solely on the money you get is the biggest mistake anyone could ever make. Being unsatisfied in your career takes a negative toll on one’s mind, body and health. This will not only affect you in your career but in your personal life as well, where you will permanently feel burned out, frustrated, anxious and depressed. The importance of finding the right position is not based on salary expectations but more on what truly satisfies you as an individual.

In this blog I will take you through the criteria you need to consider when deciding what position is the right fit for you in an attempt to explain how true job satisfaction can be achieved, beyond the measure of financial gains. Some people have no clue what they want to do and where they want to be. Others feel like they have it all figured out. For most the answers don’t always come easily.

For about two years I, myself had made the mistake of setting my mind on an industry and company I would dream to work at. Having thought I figured out the direction my career was going in, I had limited myself to what was actually out there and many other areas that I have passion for. I neglected many other areas of my interest but I do not regret it. The point I am trying to make is that there is a lot more out there for you than what you think there is. Having discovered my true calling (at least for now), my best advice is to first discover your passion and purpose. You need to uncover what activities get you excited, bring you joy and what really drives you.

When choosing the right career considering your interests, aptitude, personality and values are vital.  These personal aspects also help determine what drives you professionally and where exactly your passion lies. By doing something you are passionate about, you are motivated and inspired to do better than yesterday, to push yourself beyond your boundaries and in essence to challenge yourself to become greater than you ever thought. Passion is when you work long hours and go the extra mile for your job with a smile on your face and no complaints and people look at you as if you are crazy. To have passion for your work is what will make you successful, not the money you receive at the end of the month.

Once you have discovered what you are passionate about, it is important to gather information about these career options that align with these interests as well as your values and set of principles. Learn about what it takes to succeed in these areas of interest and the skill set required to grow into positions within your chosen niche. Creating a career map would be the best option to start with. A career map is a road map of your career. By gathering job specifications of the positions you are interested in, you can determine the education, training and experience level you should be at. Design your career map from your first entry level position and indicate the direction you would like to go into. This will also help you determine what you should do to grow professionally. This will also give you good insight into the day to day responsibilities you will have and what you should expect salary wise.

A trap that many graduates fall in is think that they should only work for big well established brands that will look good on their CVs. I, myself, fell into that trap not realising that working for a small start-up company opens up many more doors than just a name on your CV. 

Don’t get demotivated by not getting a position at a company you have dreamed on for many years. Chances of another opportunity you are passionate will most likely come your way.  When this opportunity comes around, just ensure that it is in line with your interests, aptitude, personality and values before accepting the offer. Success is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.

As a matter of Importance...

One of the great privileges of being in the recruitment is the exposure I’ve had in meeting an immense number of diverse and driven individuals – crazy characters, the occasional negative Nancy and of course great thought leaders.

In an interview I recently held, I asked the candidate to tell me about his work philosophy and how he would be differentiated from other candidates applying from the role. He responded with enthusiasm and explained that in all matters in life he evaluates each situation he encounters with one simple question: “Is this a matter of urgency or a matter of importance?”

With this sentiment in mind (and a growing to-do list marked “urgent”) I decided that it is first and foremost “important” that I introduce Electus and answer that same ubiquitous question.

What sets us apart? The answer, as simple as it might be, is exactly that: our work philosophy – the core values and foundation upon which I started Electus.

As a firm believer of synchronicity, I believe that in some way Electus was destined to be. To put this in context, it is necessary that I shed some light on my background. After graduating from the University of Pretoria, with an Honours in Marketing Management, I stepped out into the working world experiencing the very real fluctuations of the economic downward spiral. At the time, I could not find a job and ironically, found a position where I would be able to assist others in doing so. 

Beyond Alanis Morisette’s music, the only thing that lifted my spirits in an incredibly unpleasant working environment was the opportunity to be a part of inevitably changing another person’s life for the better with each placement I made. I knew that it was purpose to continue to be a facilitator of achievement.

It was not long after having that realisation (again with the irony *smh*) that my employer walked in to the offices and dismissed the entire staff compliment due to the fact the company was declared insolvent. It was not even an hour later that I decided to form Electus – a company that would oppose the industry standard ‘heartless numbers chase’ and transform the tarnished reputation of the recruitment industry.

In essence our work philosophy and our recipe for success are based on three core values that we hold true to, with integrity.

People

As facilitators of achievement we focus on only what is BEST for each individual in every given context.

Purpose

We emphasise working meaningfully in a collaborative environment with quality, customer service and integrity to pursue a common purpose.

Passion 

We consistently work with an absolute love for our profession with positivity and passion.

As a start-up with endless growth opportunity, we look to these values as a guideline in moving forward with the hope of revolutionising recruitment and continuing to facilitate achievement.

We would love to have our clients and candidates to be a part of this process so we invite you all to share your thoughts on how we can continue to incorporate these values to better service you – connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.