Have you ever worked someplace where you felt like you just didn’t belong? Or maybe the opposite? Found yourself working someplace where the fit was just right? The people you work with aren’t just co-workers, they become family? If you have found that fit, it is priceless.

Jeff, captain and deckhand at Casco Bay Lines in Portland Maine, is a good example of someone who loves his job and the people he works with. When asked why his job was important to him, he remarked that “it’s not just important to me financially it’s also important to me because it is my social circle.” That feeling of connectedness makes going to work more enjoyable. It is a connectedness that people should look for when making a career choice.

He went on to say that, “We all hang out with each other, it is like a second family” and “It makes you want to come to work.” Finding that right fit can make the difference between jumping from job to job, or feeling disconnected and isolated. It is an important message we should send to young people and job seekers to find that right fit.

It is also in businesses’ best interest to create an environment where people feel they belong. The impact of turnover on their bottom line is significant, costing up to 150% of an employee’s salary to replace them. Businesses that spend time and effort at building that family feel in the work environment will spend less time and effort on hiring and retraining. It is a win-win for everyone!

Watch Jeff’s video interview here to learn more about his job at Casco Bay Lines.