Mya’s Recruitment Tips:

The secret ingredient that makes an employee valuable

By Mya Borgman

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There is a section missing from all application forms.  But it is so difficult to verbalize that most recruiters don’t give it the attention that it needs.

Yet it is without doubt the most important characteristic that the company (and the prospective employee) should take into account during a job interview.

Loyalty, ability, awareness, competence are all vital components of a potentially good employee, but without that mysterious ‘something’, he/she is just another “body in the shop”.

What is that special ingredient? Passion!

There are two types of employees.

One says, Oh my gosh, I really don’t feel like going to work this morning, I think I’ll call in sick and go back to bed!

The other jumps out of bed, says, Sorry honey, no time for breakfast, I’ll eat later if I remember, I want to get there early today. I’ve got some great people to meet and I want to go over stuff. See you later!

Which one would you choose?

Unfortunately recruiters seldom get to see that side of the applicant. The question “why do you want to work for this company?” may reveal a range of vital responses that cover the full spectrum of human emotion.

“Because I need a job” is not what the company is looking for, unless you want an apathetic employee that will turn out to be more of a liability than an asset. 

If the prospective employee has done due diligence, found out what the company does and replies, “because I love talking to people and I have always been fascinated by ………,” now we’re getting somewhere!

When recruiting, or applying for a job, make sure that you find that spark of passion for the job or the company and you will have a marriage made in heaven

Without passion, you’re heading for the inevitable – it will become a ‘hell-job’. 

Great employees are difficult to find, but when you do, they’re worth gold.

Yes, their qualifications are important.  Each individual has to have the necessary skills to perform the duties he/she is hired for.

But without the passion, that spark that would make the daily tasks a pleasure for the employee and the employer, what will all those skills be worth? 

Many of us, when confronted by a job interview become introverted and we think a million thoughts at once. “I hope I get the job, I wonder what the pay is like, I hope they are nice people, will I enjoy working here?” 

If the recruiter can draw out of the prospective employee how his hobby or his passion can be worked into his job description, you’ve got a very happy camper who wants to show up for work.

When an employee has enthusiasm and commitment, it automatically breeds loyalty, a willingness to be there and learn whatever will improve his position, and cut down the training period to a minimum.

It is such a joy to love what you do whether it be work or play , which, when you think about it, are not that different.

If we approach what we are doing with that attitude it will cause a ripple of side effects, but the source of those ripples lies in one word: Passion!

Mya Borgman is the Founder and President of The People Link, a professional recruitment agency with a unique personal touch. We are committed to finding the ideal job match between employers and job seekers. Take advantage of our hard earned experience gained with the successful placement of over 1,000 candidates. The most frequently filled positions include office and administration, computer technicians and programmers, engineers, office managers and senior executives. Inquiries from both employers and job seekers are held in absolute confidence and treated with discretion. Mya can be reached at (818) 890-9998 or by email at mya@thepeoplelink.com. © Copyright 2004 Mya Borgman. All Rights Reserved.