For the Joy of the Job

My mom and dad were about as hardworking as two parents could be. I watched them tirelessly give themselves to their profession and still come home to give my two younger brothers and I all the love, affection (and yes, discipline) that we needed. There were times in both my mother and father’s career that they almost lost their jobs to no fault of their own. It was very young that I realized the importance of a job, and all that it would provide to my life. I also recognized what the fear of being without a job could do to a person, and a family.

A job is a major part of what defines who you are. Think about it – after you’re introduced to someone, people most often ask “So what do you do?” Are you proud of your response? Does your answer appropriately define who you are? I knew early on that I wanted to help change lives. I wanted to impact people in a way that would define the meaning of their life. I wanted to help people find meaningful careers.

When I was 19 I enlisted in the Navy and proved everyone who thought I couldn’t do it, wrong. For the first time I had done something meaningful enough to define who I was. I would forever be a sailor, and a veteran. I finished my four year tour and headed off to college. I’m proud of the degree I earned and the service I gave to my country. Now that I had some life experience under my belt, it was time to start making an impact on others in ways that were bigger than myself.

I drew such satisfaction from hiring people into new positions. It thrilled me to win over candidates and attract them to my company. It felt like I was constantly winning the war on talent by matching these incredible people with opportunities that were a perfect match for them! There I was, changing lives, making an impact – just as I had always wanted to do. Few people can match my energy and enthusiasm, and even fewer can close a candidate like I can, (toot, toot).

About halfway into my recruiting experience, I realized something that nearly took the wind out of my sails. I wasn’t making any gains in my career. I was stuck at the same point with no potential to soar into advancement opportunities. I was bored – and I was too advanced and too talented to be happy just doing what I was already doing. I was so hungry for more! I needed more. Must. Have. More.

Feeling undervalued or underpaid does not breed happiness or success. 12 years ago when I first started in recruiting, I can tell you it was a very undervalued profession, and for some companies that don’t have a strong recruiting presence, or don’t yet appreciate talent acquisition – it still is. So how did I pull through it and conquer my career goals? I left the undervaluation behind me. I remembered why I am in this profession in the first place. I’m in it for the joy of the job.

Even though earning less than my male counterparts was a tough pill to swallow, I remembered why I love recruiting. Calling a candidate and extending an offer that would absolutely change their life was more rewarding than if the offer were mine. I can also tell you from experience that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it. I even took a stint away from recruiting into the world of marketing to try something new and see how it felt. While I enjoyed it, and I was good at it, I didn’t love it. Not like I loved recruiting.

That time away from recruiting reaffirmed my future career path. I knew this was where I was meant to be. The confidence I built in myself combined with my joy for the job led me to higher paying opportunities. There’s a difference between wanting more money and leaving to chase it, and following the right career path into a job that will pay you to do what you love. That’s where people get it wrong. Don’t chase the paper. Love what you do – and chase that. If you focus on being your absolute best, in spite of all those who try to hold you back, you can’t help but to succeed. I’ve had jobs where I was asked to think smaller, to do less, and to keep doing what had always been done. In spite of those “leaders,” I followed my gut and did what I knew what right. I haven’t looked back once and I never will.

Not every offer you get will look like the perfect one. It may not be that magic number you were hoping for. It may not be the total package that you wanted. But if there’s a chance this job will enable you to live everyday with joy – take it! Life is too short to take anything less.

In mentoring job-seekers, working with candidates, or giving advice to anyone who asks for it, I always say to be confident in who you are and what you’re capable of. You are enough and no one can do it like you! When you do what you love and take a job for the joy – the money and success you desire will follow. When your next career opportunity comes around, look at it for the life experience it will bring you. Will you be happy every day to wake up and go to this job? Is this opportunity going to fulfill you or make you better in some way? While we all need to earn a living and money is important – the big picture is the most important part of all. Money can make you happy in the moment, but joy will last a lifetime. Skip the doubt, take the joy – you deserve it.