Engaged professionals.
Nicholas Dannias
Marketing, Sales, Digital, Events & Product Manager | MBA | Passionate about people, strategy and innovation.
Are we really looking for professionals who have a sparkle in their eyes?
We increasingly hear about the scarcity of motivated, engaged professionals, who have a sparkle in their eyes. This isn't only a feeling of my own, it is yet something we see in research.
?But is it that hard to find these professionals? My opinion is it isn't. The mistake is in the way the companies and bosses look for their employees.
?How many times have you followed up or participated in a selection process and heard “but he has never worked in this field”, “he has never worked with this product” or “but he has less years of experience in this position”?
?In none of the questions above the matters of motivation, engagement and passion are taken into account.
?In my point of view, an engaged professional with passion (sparkle in their eyes), even not knowing the field, product, or having less time of experience, can learn and find faster and better solutions than the one who has experience, but who doesn't have the same determination.
?Here's a real example:
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In a process I was conducting to hire a marketing assistant, I tried to identify the sparkle in the eyes that we are talking about. Another manager also looked for a marketing assistant for his area and so we conducted the process together.
?I identified my candidate with the characteristics I always look for: determination, passion and sparkle in the eyes.
?It wasn't a surprise when I was questioned by the company, by the HR and by my superiors for this person didn't have any experience in the area nor the sector. Even so, I kept my decision.
?The other manager hired an assistant with experience in the sector and area.
?After one year, my candidate was promoted from assistant to marketing analyst and was recognized by everybody in the department as a unique professional.
?On the other hand, the other candidate, the one with experience, had to be laid off because he couldn't keep up with the rhythm of the company and especially because he couldn't adapt what he knew to the new scene in which he was at.
?Reflect and try to remember this story in the next selection process you participate in. You might have a big surprise.