Recruiting Impact

For the past several months, chatter among recruiters has included a lot of questions about an impending recession.   The concern is understandable.  The 2001 recession was a killer for many recruiters.  Mere mention of the “r” word strikes fear. 

Are we headed for a recession?  The results of an Associated Press - Ipsos poll posted on msnbc indicate that 61% of the public believes we are.  Others believe a recession hasn’t happened and may be avoided entirely. 

The right answer may be that we are entering a mild recession.  Reuters reported a statement promoting this view by Forrester in revising its tech sector outlook: ”The revisions assume a mild recession in the United States in the first two to three quarters of 2008″. 

Although a mild recession appears likely, things are very different this time.  This is the perspective offered by industry bellwether Dr. John Sullivan in his latest article posted on ERE.   Dr. Sullivan points out some prevailing differences in economic circumstances making it possible that ”the recruiting profession may avoid being decimated this time around.” 

We need to keep an informed perspective and sharpen our strategic focus during this economic contraction.  We need to continue our efforts to maintain a strategic foothold in the ongoing war for talent.  Recession, mild recession or no recession, the war is on and it is unrelenting.  The rapidly diminishing supply of talent is a certainty and is happening now.  This is no time to recede.