Recruiting In The Current Employment Economy

By Jim Schaffer

March 2009

"Recruiting is so much easier now with so many people out of work," an employer noted to me last week. "All we have to do is post an ad and we get dozens of résumés from qualified candidates."

Well, I don't doubt that the flow of résumés has increased and I know that there are a number of good candidates on the street, but I do question whether a higher unemployment rate makes recruiting easier. Of course, if an employer is willing to settle for the best prospect who is out of work and available, an increase in unemployment will naturally provide more options. However, if one is seeking the singular most qualified person for the position, irrespective of his or her current employment situation, I would contend that the recruiting process is further complicated by an increase in the ranks of the unemployed.

click here for the complete newsletter