Recruiters – The World is Bigger Than Your Desk

There are many reasons I adore my current boss – I was reminded of one just the other day. I was coming off an especially grueling couple of weeks. One particular search, which should have been an easy fill, had become nothing short of a nightmare. Without going into all the gory detail (I’d like to keep my job) let’s just say there had been a communication breakdown between me and my client. As a corporate recruiter, my only option is to keep working with this person. I can’t give it to another recruiter (we’re aligned by business group), I can’t “fire” the client, and no one was coming to my rescue. I finally reached my breaking point, sat in my boss’ office, and burst into tears.

My boss did the only reasonable thing. She pulled that day’s paper out of the recycle bin, slapped it down on the desk in front of me and pointed out whatever horrible headline was leading the news. Look at what’s happening in the world, she said. Cry about THAT. Cry after the election, if you really must (I guess depending on if the guy you support wins or not). But this? Work? Don’t cry over this. IT’S JUST RECRUITING. THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR DESK.

Whoa.

I’ll admit it – I often find myself smack dab in the center of the universe thinking the world as I know it will end if I don’t close this deal. If I don’t earn this commission. If that client doesn’t return my call. Guess what - life goes on. There are at least six billion other people on the planet who could care less if my favorite candidate gets hired.

Yesterday we remembered the tragedy of 9/11. I was managing a staffing office that day, and I can tell you my team did not conduct a single interview. Life went on. Today we’re watching events unfold in the Middle East including (as of this post) the assassination of our Ambassador to Libya. My boss is right. There are those who have it worse than me.

I have a job. I have a family that loves me, co-workers that like me. I win more than I lose at this recruiting thing. My life is generally pretty awesome. Bad days will happen – deals will fall through, clients will piss you off, and the world will seem to be against you. Life will go on. The best advice I got last week on my very-bad-no-good day? Go home and hug your kids. The work will be here tomorrow. The world is bigger than your desk.

Comment by Bonnie Brooks on September 14, 2012 at 8:46am: Perfect. My favorite line I use (which I particularly love to use when waiting in line for a movie, or restaurant, etc and people are getting frustrated)...."With all the horror going on in the world....does this really matter?"

You hit the quintessential nail on the head. Perfect.

Comment by Nicole Sawyer on September 14, 2012 at 2:48pm: Wow, thanks Amy. I needed to hear that.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 14, 2012 at 5:12pm: thanks everyone for commenting :) hard to admit to CRYING - at work - in front of my boss - so I'm glad that there are people who got something out of my blog/therapy! :)

Comment by Bonnie Brooks on September 14, 2012 at 5:36pm: At some point, I think we've all cried in front of the boss. You are the only one courageous enough to admit it. Well, I've cried too - so I'm your fellow sobbing sister, Thanks again.

Comment by Martin O'Shea on September 17, 2012 at 4:10am: Great piece of writing, very useful insight to working as a recruiter. Defiantly adopting as my own! thanks!

Comment by Brian Kite on September 17, 2012 at 11:48am: I totally misread the subject the first time around. wow.

Comment by Bill Schultz on September 17, 2012 at 12:36pm: Very good blog, Amy. I suggest next time this hiring manager gives you a hard time, answer her or him with this line that I used to get from my Mom when I didn't want to eat all of my vegetables

"People are starving in Europe"

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 17, 2012 at 1:36pm: Thanks everyone - :) Bonnie, I'll bring the tissues!

LOL Bill I'll remember that...

Comment by Sunil Kumar on September 18, 2012 at 1:35am: Thanks for reminding Amy. Good read...

Comment by Katy Theranger on September 18, 2012 at 2:32pm: This blog post really helped me today, definitely one of those days when I want to burst into tears!