my career is not for sale

The first half of 2016 has been interesting not only for me personally but for various other executive level friends. Three of us have secured new career opportunities boosting our careers in the right direction. The opportunities we have secured are with leading South African companies. Others of us are on the journey of acquiring new career opportunities. 

The journey to acquiring these opportunities have been fraught with the poor recruitment styles as reflected by recruitment agents, recruiters, whatever the lable. Interestingly enough  Ashleigh-Robyn Boome Managing Director of the Talent Boome released an  article "How to Spot a Bad Recruiter". So many of the points she mentions I can resonate with and share her view. Her most poignant point for me is the following, "I believe the main problem comes in because although recruitment is largely focused on sales, it requires a different sort of person to your traditional “salesman”. However we often find these are the exact people who end up infiltrating the industry as they see it as an easy way to make quick money". Hence the title to this article My career is not for sales. 

7 Reasons my career is not for sale:

1. I made a conscious decision with regards to the career path I want to pursue;

2. My career is driven by passion not a sales pitch to another company;

3. I control my career - not you;

4. I studied damn hard to get to where I am today and continue to learn and develop;

5. The company I wish to interact with is a company whose values, missions and goals I share not just any company offering me 15% more on my pay cheque;

6. Work and life separation does not exist. Work and life should compliment each other - it is fluid and should be a seamless integration. 

7. You cannot gauge from my LinkedIn profile what my dreams and aspirations are - you need a meaningful conversation.

Credit however, must be given to those true talent ambassadors who create meaningful relationships. They take the time to get to know you. They may not talk to you often but when they reach out they present an opportunity which you cannot decline.

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Please note that all views and opinions reflected in this piece are personal and have no reflection on my current or previous employers. 

Image from https://www.belmontshore.org/sidewalk-saleI