Blog Post: Bad Day - Is it a Reaction or a Response?

It's been one of those days where the boss walked in frowning; couldn't find one good thing to say about anything; spilled  the coffee on today's report while handing it to the boss; a mountain of customer complaints came through and the dog died.  Ever had a day like that? What was your first escape thought? Gee, I have to look for a new job? Or, hum I think I need to call my recruiter and start a search. 

When I was in executive recruitment/coaching, I often received calls from candidates who had just had the worst day/week of their lives.  I would listen to them; ask them pertinent questions to get them to think about why things happened the way they happened and to figure out if there was anything they could have done differently. Many times they would come to the conclusion that yes, there was more they could have done if they would have planned better and not pre-judged some situations. They also admitted to not following-up in a timely manner and to some general sloppy habits they had fallen into. At the end of calls like these, the candidates agreed that the grass is not always greener on the other side. They would thank me for helping them realize that they were reacting to a situation rather than reflecting and responding to the situation.  I would ask them, do you think you are never going to have a bad day at some other company?  Most often they would agree.

In some instances, the candidate would describe situations where they had done everything in their power to make things right, and it still did not work. It came down to either they were not being challenged enough; or they were in a situation where there was a huge personality conflict - culture did not match due to management changes or to changes in their own lives. In these situations, the grass is greener on the other side. They need to make a change and do it pro-actively for themselves and the company they are working for.

It is not an easy process.  However, when a good recruiter is handling situations like these; they will coach the candidate through the thought process and into making the correct decision. As a company doing a search to fill a position; or as a candidate doing a search for a new career path; that is the type of recruiter you want to work with - one who takes themselves out of the picture and asks key questions that get to the root of the situation. A recruiter who is not worried about the immediate dollar but who wants to make the very best match for their client and the candidate. A recruiter who is truly a coach and who has the best interest of all parties foremost in their sights. One who can peek through and see the green fertile pastures for a particular situation - because it just may be your own backyard.

Here's to success responses!