It's kinda crazy when you look back and realize who drastically changed the course of your life. Meet Peter: My friend, mentor & a very average surfer ;) (this is a story about taking a chance on people) In 2012, I completed an internship at Philips. In 2013, a mid-senior-level marketing role opened up. Fresh from my internship, with very little experience and a whole lot of dreams & determination... I applied for the position. The other candidates had 10-20 years more experience. (I mean, can you see the confidence here?) Guess who got the job? Your boy did! 😎 My manager, Peter, saw: ✔️My drive, ✔️My willingness, and ✔️My positive go-getter energy. And took a chance on me. He believed skills could be taught. But drive? Not really. And that is how I ended up as a ↳ 24-year-old, dashing marketing manager at Philips. I worked there for 3 years before pursuing other things. But, Peter and I stayed in touch. ↳ we became good friends. 🍻 Last week, Peter visited Bali, and we got talking. I asked him why he hired me back then. ↳ He said... he saw himself in me. 🥺 (I know, I'll pause for you to wipe your tears) Now, Peter may not know this, but his belief ↳ shaped how I run my business today. → I hire people for their drive. Because like him, ↳ I believe skills can be taught. My friend, Take a chance on people if you have an opportunity. ↳ You'll impact more lives than one. Crazy how the actions you take & the people you meet can shape your future in ways you can’t even imagine. P.S. Are you still in touch with your colleagues from your first job?
What a heartwarming story! It's amazing how one person's belief in us can change the course of our lives. And who knew that being an average surfer could lead to being a great mentor? 😄 I couldn't agree more with your philosophy on hiring for drive. Skills can be taught, but passion and determination are priceless. And to answer your question, yes, I'm still in touch with some of my colleagues from my first job. It's always great to catch up and see where life has taken us.
Mijn eerste baan was bij mijn tante, dus daar heb ik gelukkig nog steeds contact mee!
Your story reminds me of my manager. Who took a chance on me and not someone more experienced than me. Those early connections can be really special.
It’s the people you meet along your journey 🤝
The people will meet, can change us. I saw myself in you.😭 Woash.
The ripple effect is crazzyyyyy Joeri
Love that.. skills indeed can be thought.. not the passion. Great story Joeri Ruijgrok 🥊
Great share Joeri Ruijgrok 🥊 Some people we meet along the journey can really alter the course. And yes I'm still in touch with a few colleagues from my first job.
Joeri Ruijgrok 🥊- It truly does take just one person to believe in you that will make the impact of a lifetime 👏
Marketing Executive
1moI feel blessed that I was able to inspire you my friend! Keep on chasing your dreams!