Blog: A job with meaning

29 May 2020

The daily matching of ambitions, wishes, expectations, characteristics, conditions (the list is endless), is what makes the recruitment profession so incredibly fascinating. In this column, we are happy to give you a peek behind the scenes at WerfSelect.

“Yes Mathanja, that is exactly what I am looking for. A position that contributes to a better world. I would like to know more about that.”

A common response when I approach candidates for a position or interim job with an emphasis on the circular economy, biodiversity, healthy food, sustainability, etc. It also makes us happy that we are increasingly able to offer such roles*. Usually the enthusiasm is great and many conversations follow. And what strikes me then is the difference in considerations. Of course this is my perception and subjective, but:

The senior candidates I talk to are more willing to make concessions if necessary (in position, work hours, travel time, salary, advancement opportunities, security …) if they can be significant;
with the “Millennial,” it is impossible to predict what the most important component will be (social impact, professional interest, opportunities for advancement, travel distance, salary?);
and for the Generation Z candidate (born after 1995), the sustainable aspect is often a basic requirement. He/she weighs all aspects equally.

By the way, this is by no means to say that a “green” job always includes a lesser benefits package, but rather that social relevance is an essential component of such a role.

New entrants to the labor market highlighted

The newcomer to the labor market, Generation Z, “wants it all. In various media I read that members of this generation find sustainability important, but also that they value (economic) security even more. In these “Corona times”, for example, candidates from this group pay extra attention. They would like to take a step in their career, but only if offered a permanent contract. They also ask carefully whether there is sufficient guidance in the position. And whether current team members have been with the organization for a long time. “Why should I work there?” I am then asked. I then think back to my own nerves before job interviews. In a tight jacket, too-tight, neat shoes, sweating in the chair. “Highlight your good qualities,” I then heard in the back of my mind. “Always have a few questions up front, give surprising answers, be yourself” … the tips from Intermediair Magazine (still in print) competed for priority, while I tried to leave a good impression in the meantime. You guessed that this usually failed miserably. I was never relaxed myself and certainly did not give surprising answers, but fortunately for me, the interviewer often gave me another chance.

Enterprising and seeking security at the same time

That’s how different it seems to members of this Generation Z. They won’t budge until the whole picture is right. Well, so it seems of course … because for them it is just as exciting and oh so confusing. “Oh, they want the old-fashioned way,” was the reply I recently received from a 26-year-old. I had indicated that he needed to convince his future employer of his abilities. Haha, ouch, a nice mirror for yours truly, which I then gratefully put in my pocket. He was an excellent candidate and I recommended him to my client. With the comment that he only wanted to come for an interview if a permanent contract was among the possibilities in these Corona times. “Is he entrepreneurial then?” I got back from the client. . “Yes indeed he is entrepreneurial!”, I replied. And listed the businesses and initiatives he had made happen. Only he takes the time to find that one job where he can make social impact, work with nice people, get enough guidance, continue to grow, have time left over for things other than work, get an appropriate salary, and yes, a bit of security. “That’s quite a list,” my client said. “But his profile looks good, just schedule an appointment with him.” May 29, 2020, Mathanja Klop, Senior Recruiter at WerfSelect —————