Who Moved My Cheese? A Recruiter’s Reality

Have you read the book?

It’s a quick read. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s the fictional tale of two mice and to mouse-sized people who live in a maze and look for cheese. Obviously, it’s not that simple. And the cheese represents a lot of symbolism… such as security, entitlement, status, etc.

The story is based around the two little people, aptly named Hem and Haw, and how each one reacts to their big pile of cheese suddenly disappearing. Eventuality, the reality is that they must set out into the maze that is their existence and find new cheese.

I’ll be honest. I wish I was more susceptible to these types of books. I know they can be uplifting, thought-provoking, and inspiring. As a blogger, I almost feel obligated to serve up tall doses of this type of stuff to readers… there’s so much of it on other blogs. Stuff like “seize the day,” and “overcome your fears” and “steer your boat into uncharted territory”.

Should I include more of that in my writing? Let me know!

When I was reading “Who Moved My Cheese” (yes, I recently reread it), I couldn’t help but see a lot of similarity in my job as a Regional Recruiter. Let me share with you why.

Embracing Change In Our Lives

We, as people, don’t adjust well to change. Often, when we are being “evaluated” in the medical world, whether it’s for something psychological or physical, we will be asked about whether something monumental happened. Like losing a j0b, divorce, having had to relocate, or loss of a loved one, etc.

When seeing these changes, it does not help to dig our heads deep in the sand because we know that it does not matter how much we try to ignore change, it is inevitable. Change is part of life and even when we try to hold onto the past, we pave with every moment a new way into the future. Becoming aware of what is happening around us is one of the first steps to coming to some sort of balance inside ourselves. This is determined by acceptance that change is actually occurring.

We know that in business, the dichotomy of what occurs within that realm is always in a state of change due to forces like technology, supply and demand, and competition. For this article, the change I want to look at is labor.

Recruiting For the Duck

Recruiting for a Fortune 150 company would normally appear like a great opportunity… and it is. But, it does come with its share of challenges. Part of that challenge is very similar to the character in the book, “Who Moved My Cheese,” who was reluctant to go out and find new cheese when his supply mysteriously ran out.

I run across dozens of jobseekers who have not accepted the reality that the career path they chose for themselves a mere 5-10 years ago has transformed drastically.

Recently, I did some research and discovered over 85% of the people who work for us as agents had no prior experience in the insurance industry or anything even closely related to sales or business-to-business marketing. Now that’s overcoming one’s fear and “finding new cheese!”

Does Our Job Define Us?

It’s no secret that I enjoy discussing topics of Human Resources and Recruiting. And with my background, it would just make sense that I would progress to where I am now as a Regional Director. But, unlike others in my field, it does not define me. I recently was promoted and am now moving into sales. And I’m OK with that.

I receive dozens of e-mails and phone calls of people telling me what they won’t do, what they’re looking to do, or the type of position that someone should be offering them at this point in their career. All the traits as depicted in Hem’s character in the story, preventing him from setting out to find his new cheese.

Now I understand the responses I receive from jobseekers and why.

There’s obviously a fear of transitioning over to a sales position, I can understand that. But, sales is not a new concept. It’s the range in reaction from downright fear to complete outrage that I was not prepared for.

The “fear of the unknown” is a powerful thing! As is adapting to change in one’s life.

Criticism of the Book

Some managers are known to mass-distribute copies of the book to employees, some of whom see this as an insult, or an attempt to characterize dissent as not “moving with the cheese”. In the corporate environment, management has been known to distribute this book to employees during times of “structural re-organization,” or during cost-cutting measures, in an attempt to portray unfavorable or unfair changes in an optimistic or opportunistic way. This misuse of the book’s message is seen by some as an attempt by organizational management to make employees quickly and unconditionally assimilate management ideals, even if they may prove detrimental to them professionally.

In Closing

As I’ve gotten older, I have become very selective about discussing certain topics with people. I used to be quick to bring up topics like managing your own stock portfolio, generating revenue for your small LLC, working in a sales-driven performance-based environment… or even blogging!

Now, I don’t. It appears to violate one’s mental image of themselves. Making them aware of this other “dimension” is very defeating to them. As if you are challenging their very existence.

You’ll hear things like: “Why don’t you get a “real job” with a “real salary?” or Shouldn’t you have a “professional” managing your stock portfolio?“  The best one is about blogging: “Why would you allow other people to read your diary entries online?

Ugh! I give up! I”ll be back later. I need another slice of cheese.