The majority of candidates I have the pleasure of working with (and subsequently place in roles) are ambitious individuals who push themselves to further their careers.

However, I’m speaking to businesses who are becoming increasingly frustrated this year with employees who ‘don’t want to work hard’. These words of frustration are coming from good companies who offer flexibility, fair market salaries and career progression for those who truly work for it.

In contrast to these calls, I also speak with many candidates who tell me that they are seeking growth and development. However, without sometimes realising it, it’s clear from their language that they are fixated on start and finish times, and I know that if they were asked to do overtime it would come with a big song and dance.

If you’re building your career, staying back at the end of the day to complete a task, or being asked to start 30 minutes earlier when required shouldn’t be a big deal if you are focused on achieving outcomes.

This got me thinking about my friends who are forging themselves as future leaders. They frequently work beyond a 9am-5pm, without complaint.

A few examples of said friends…

🏡 One is a record-breaking real estate agent – she’s worked every Saturday in the 5 years I’ve known her.
🎤 Then you have my friend who is working towards a Director of Events position – she’s frequently in 2-3 states in the space of a week.
🛒 Another friend is at one of Australia’s largest ecommerce businesses, growing a category in a heavily saturated market (no easy task) – I happen to live with this friend, and she rarely walks through the door before 8pm.
✈️ Lastly, my friend who has started a consultancy business that specialises in international trade – she’s clocked up more air miles than my yearly step count.

I’ve ‘grown up’ with these women during my time in Australia and have seen the graft they’ve put in to get where they are now. It goes without saying that I’m incredibly proud of them.

They won’t always work these hours, but for now, they are accepting of the ‘hustle to succeed’ – the bigger picture is always front of mind.

Then, when I stop to consider any person that I admire/aspire to, they are all people that I can guarantee are not fixated on start or finish times.

The managers that we’re speaking to do notice the extra time and effort that employees put in and highly value this as a trait. A little can go a very long way.

So when you’re angling for that next promotion, are you willing to sacrifice a few hours of overtime to set you ahead of your peers?