Short-term People

Resumes. I look through them and the first thing I check for is their stickability to the companies that they worked for before.

Take for example this guy who barely lasts a year in all the jobs that he's been in. Three jobs in three years. By the time he has just settled in, off he goes again. All the training that you have invested in him is gone and you are on to another time-consuming recruitment exercise. What am I, a perennial head hunter? I've got better things to do with my time.

And he's not the only one. There are far too many resumes of young adults and peers with this kind of track record. A testimony of un-stickability, if you ask me. Don't like your boss, just quit. Your colleague giving you a hard time, scr*w them and leave. Too stressed by work, quit and travel for months on end.

If there's anything I have learned, it's this: there is no perfect company. Just like there is no perfect church or family or mate. Life's not perfect. And if you leave your job because of some unresolved conflict, believe me - you will encounter it again in your next one.

And for that matter, what can one learn in a few months or a year in a new job? Nothing much.

Stickability is a rare trait these days. I sure hope I wouldn't be forced to take on someone who's not.

Note: This was written in Oct last year when I was looking for a new assistant in my previous job. They are still looking for that elusive person. I post this now as a reminder to myself to be faithful in my work and not be distracted by the many attractions in the industry.