1. A Question I Encounter More and More Often
There is one question I have been discussing with candidates for years:
"Is this the right industry for me?"
Interestingly, the question is often not about the role itself or even the company. The position is exciting, the company makes a great impression, and the career opportunities are attractive. Yet one concern remains:
"I never really wanted to work in this industry."
I believe this is an important question. At the same time, I also believe it is often answered too simplistically - and, overall, given far too much weight.
2. The Industry Is Only Part of the Equation
The advice to pursue only what you are passionate about and what truly inspires you sounds convincing at first. In most cases, however, I find it neither particularly helpful nor especially realistic.
For one thing, it is simply unrealistic to expect millions of people to work exclusively in fields that perfectly match their personal passions. More importantly, the attractiveness of an industry says surprisingly little about how satisfied someone will actually be in their day-to-day work.
When I started my career, many young professionals wanted nothing more than to work in media companies or advertising agencies. These industries were considered creative, modern, and highly desirable. At the same time, unpaid internships, extremely long working hours, and a rather harsh working culture were common. Enthusiasm for the industry was high. Enthusiasm for everyday working life often turned out to be much lower, and not infrequently those careers ended in disappointment or burnout.
3. Industries Often Look Very Different from the Inside
I myself spent many years working in the energy sector. From the outside, it is not generally considered one of the most exciting industries. Yet I found fascinating work, excellent opportunities for personal development, and many inspiring colleagues.
Since then, I have seen the same pattern repeatedly.
Industries that appear rather ordinary often offer outstanding company cultures, long-term career prospects, and excellent working conditions. At the same time, the industries everyone wants to join are not necessarily the best employers. When large numbers of people compete for the same jobs, companies often feel less pressure to provide outstanding working environments.
As a result, people frequently confuse the attractiveness of an industry or a product with the attractiveness of the workplace itself. The two are far less closely connected than many people assume.
4. There Is One Important Exception
Of course, there are limits.
If an industry is fundamentally incompatible with your personal values - for example, the arms or tobacco industry, which are often mentioned in this context - it is unlikely to become a fulfilling long-term career.
In almost every other case, however, I would place much less emphasis on the industry itself.
Other questions strike me as far more important: What is the company's culture like? Is the business well positioned with a strong long-term outlook? Will I have opportunities to learn and develop? Can I take on responsibility? And will this particular role support my long-term career ambitions?
These are the factors that shape everyday working life and, ultimately, long-term success. And it is everyday working life that determines whether we actually enjoy going to work.
5. Passion Often Develops Over Time
Perhaps this is the most important point of all.
Many people assume they need to be passionate about a subject before changing jobs. I often believe the opposite is true.
Interest frequently develops only after you begin working with great colleagues, take on meaningful responsibility, and realize the contribution you can make.
I have seen candidates who initially had strong reservations about an industry and, just a few years later, could no longer imagine working anywhere else.
Sometimes passion does not exist before your first day on the job.
Sometimes it is created by the work itself.
6. My Impuls
How important is the industry when you think about your next career move?
Is it truly the deciding factor - or just one of many?
And would you rather work in your dream industry under difficult conditions, or in an industry that initially seems less exciting but offers outstanding colleagues, excellent leadership, and real opportunities for growth?
Perhaps, in the end, it is not the industry that determines whether we enjoy our work.
Perhaps it is the people we get to work with.
