Because it is your life, right? I’ve always believed that life is about choices. It’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do with them. Invest in yourself & add the determination.
Not long ago Derrick Kwa from Singapore asked my opinion. Derrick was in the US not long ago working with Seth Godin on his Triibes project. Also, Derrick is an avid marketing junkie & started a social media breakfast in Singapore.
Derrick’s question to me was whether he should accept a job offer.
Here are things that I think everyone should consider as they search for jobs. And they are especially true if you’re going to work in social media.
- What is the product?
- Do you believe in it?
- Can you sell it?
- Do you trust the company? the management?
- What is the state of the brand?
- Is the public sentiment justified?
- Do you believe that you can contribute to the brand?
- Does your personal brand resonate with the position?
- Does it contribute to the company’s mission?
- Will the position affect your personal brand positively or negatively?
Even if the position pays well, is that enough? Only you can decide that. Derrick blogged about his decision. He said,
So why did I reject the offer? Because I don’t believe in the product. I’m not passionate about what they are selling. And that’s the most important thing for me.
Yes, I was tempted by the money, I’m not going to deny that. I was definitely very tempted. But after talking to Connie Bensen about it (thanks for the advice, Connie), she helped me realize that it wouldn’t be worth doing if I wasn’t passionate about it.
Do you agree that my questions have any relevance for job satisfaction in the social media world? I look forward to hearing your ideas.
RT @christammiller RT @mjcarter Do you love what you do? @cbensen http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7 – “whom for?” is another question :)
RT @mjcarter Do you love what you do? Interesting post from @cbensen http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7
Oops…here’s the post from @cbenssen: http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7
http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7 Do what you love, love what you do
http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7
from @cbensen – Do What You Love & Love What You Do: http://is.gd/aF31 Comment w/ your thoughts
@cbensen I enjoyed this post (Mr Trump would too…) http://tinyurl.com/67cnx7
Completely agree and good advice. You can’t do a good job in any role if you don’t believe in the company’s product or service. You have to love what you do more than ever since work is no longer (not that it ever really is for a marketer) a 9-5 M-F role. If you dislike your job or company for any reason it will show especially in the social media world.
Definitely, I agree. =). Loving what you do is really important – it’s just that it can be really easy to lose sight of that when the temptation of money and all comes in. And that’s where having friends like you becomes so important.
And more than just job satisfaction, I think your effectiveness in the job would also be affected – can you really do a remarkable job if you’re just going through the motions and don’t really believe it?
Oh, and by the way – I was in the US for a summer program, the Seth Godin internship was a virtual, online one. ;).
It definitely helps to believe in and be passionate about what you’re doing. I’ve been involved with some companies where I didn’t agree with a lot of what they were trying to do.
You still have to do the job. However, not all are good liars/actors, so it’s hard for your love of a company to shine through if don’t truly feel it.
We should all strive to find that passion which forces us to perform at our best.
Great and timely post, Connie.
I fully agree in your sentiment as I’ve asked myself this question as of late – do I believe in their product?
That’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen employees lack when at their respective companies. The lack of belief shows in their work and the passion that they bring to the office day in and day out. Its that very passion that will spill over to other employees and help cultivate a more positive workplace.
I feel I’m doing the company a favor when I answer ‘no, I don’t believe in their product’ – why should I (or the company) invest time into something that my heart isn’t into and will basically lead me to look for another job in the long-run.
I have to “believe in” and “feel confident” about the company otherwise the whole relationship will fail!
Employees should be able to do their work with a sense of passion. If one lacks faith in their employer, the quality of their work is going to suffer. That’s just the way it works.
[…] doing what you love is not just important for you, as an individual, it’s also important for the company you work […]
My sister & I have discussed this a few times. Think about what happens in a company when someone is disconnected and going thru the motions.Then step back & consider what if there are a number of people in that mode? Where does that leave the company? and the customers?
Your questions should be a checklist for sales people, job hunters and college students (as long as they answer them honelstly).
Not many people (or not enough) think beyond a job and liking it vs. REALLY enjoying a career and being passionate…