As a team member of a growing business, I interviewed a good number of people of various skills levels in the last few months for specific positions. Generally, I don’t enjoy interviews, but it is a critical element of finding the right person for the job at hand. When interviewing, I try to give a clear, concise picture of our business and what I expect of people who join us. I also try to give a clear indication of what the job entails, even if it is to say: “We need to achieve a set of goals, how, I am not sure, but are you up for the challenge?”.

The interesting part of an interview is to try and understand where a candidate is at in their lives: mostly through what they do not say and by observing body language. A recent interview humbled me immensely: the candidate clearly comes from a very difficult background, has studied against steep odds and is very proud of his achievements. The fact that he had been selected for an interview by us, added to his pride. As the interview progressed, I witnessed how he revealed this pride through his body language and what he was not saying. I imagine that he is likely to be a good employee: because he takes pride and he values the privilege of being considered for a job that pays money. I am of the opinion that giving him a job, may be rewarding for me in more ways than one. I recognize his appreciation that having a job is a privilege. As a senior member of our business, each and every day I appreciate my job, and am fully aware of the fact that being able to work is as big a privilege as it is to have work that generates income.

I think that complaining, being cynical and being negative about what we do to earn a living is disrespectful to the universe: having a job is a privilege, make it work for you – if you are unhappy, find an alternative. Else, be pleased that you have an opportunity and, I repeat, make it work for you.