I thought it was time to update you on the mythical, much in-demand, but rarely sighted, perfect candidate - previously known as the Purple Squirrel.
This term has been used for years by recruiters to describe this rarest of candidates: the one with ideal qualifications, spot on experience, under 35 years of age, no salary expectations, and the ability to teleport to interviews.
But it’s 2025 now, and we’ve evolved.
Meet 2025’s Ideal Candidate: The SavannaSkillStacker™
A mythical creature. A unicorn in running shoes. A coffee-powered machine of productivity. This is what the ‘Purple Squirrel’ has morphed into:
- A full-stack developer by day, data whisperer by night, and cybersecurity sorcerer in between
- A part-time ICU nurse who redesigned their hospital's user interface while performing CPR and explaining AI ethics to interns
- Fluent in isiXhosa, Zulu, Mandarin, Python, and the latest TikTok dance trend
- Developed a spreadsheet so advanced, it once got invited to speak at TEDx
But Let’s Get Real
Yes, the world of work is changing. Markets shift. Companies restructure. Roles disappear. New ones emerge – it’s life on a rinse and repeat cycle. And while the headlines might sound scary, great jobs are still out there – just not always in the packaging you might expect.
So What’s in Demand Right Now?
- Tech & IT skills– Devs, ICT analysts, cybersecurity pros
- Finance – Data-driven, future-focused number-wranglers
- Engineering & trades– Someone’s gotta keep the lights on, literally
- Healthcare & wellness– Minds and bodies still need care & repair
- Digital marketing & content creation– Especially if you can translate “likes” into revenue
Final Word
The SavannaSkillStacker™ may be fictional… but the message is real.
Business and technology will continue to evolve, and roles will follow suit.
Change is constant, but so is our ability to adapt - anyone remember ‘floppy disks’ or ‘fax machines’? Or watching movies at home on VHS tapes? The tapes were replaced by DVDs, and DVDs are being replaced by Netflix and streaming.
Don’t allow yourself to fall into work that’s easy but empty. Learn. Unlearn. Reroute. Show up. And engage.
You’re way more adaptable than you realise.
If you’d like to discuss career transition or how to become 10% more SkillStacker™ - drop me a message or connect on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/madgegibson/
Madge Gibson
Director, TCI (The Change Initiative Pty Ltd)
