The Daily Recruiter

My friend Mark can’t help musing over how times have changed.

Three years ago, he had his pick of positions when he was ready to jump from Giant Corporation X to Smaller Company Y. Recently, he decided it was time to get back to a large company. He put his résumé out and made contact with the recruiters who helped him over the years.

My how times have changed.

There are very few openings in his field. Jobs that exist are in small companies in the far-flung suburbs. Many of these companies are growing now but vulnerable to changes in the economy. Initially Mark was going to interview at some of these small companies in hopes of finding a good match even if it meant a longer commute.

My how times have changed.

The cost of gas has made that plan unrealistic. The cost of commuting would mean living on less than he’s making now. Have you noticed the cost of a gallon of milk lately? What’s next, a surcharge on air? It costs more to cool your home. It costs more to feed your family. It costs more to take the kiddos on a vacation, if that’s even still on the table. So taking a job 40 miles a way made no sense.

My how times have changed.

Suddenly Smaller Company Y didn’t look so bad. A few months ago, he felt he absolutely had to leave. Now he is hard pressed to remember why he felt that way. He has an easy commute. He is employed. He is able to keep up with the rising cost of living…for now. Smaller Company Y is stable. It’s even growing, though at a much smaller pace than when he signed on three years ago. The stock price is in the toilet. There is still a lot to fret over. But there is also a lot to be thankful for. And now Mark is more focused on the latter.

My how times have changed.

Mark is not depressed. He isn’t resigned. He is hopeful, and he is relieved. Choices, he decided, are overrated. Sometimes it’s nice not to have a multitude of choices to consider. Sometimes there is comfort in knowing you’ll be working at Smaller Company Y for the foreseeable future. He still keeps in touch with recruiters, but the air of desperation no longer fills each e-mail correspondence. When he says he’s just checking in, he means it.

My how times have changed.