Some pundits predict a rebound in employment and consequently in the recruiting area. Those who have left the industry, say pundits, should return as they will be need ed to service the job market. This claim is consistent with those who are predicting rehiring combined with increased employment churn as employees dissatisfied with their current positions, for one reason or another, will be looking for greener pastures. Some experts claim that as many as 54% of employed Americans will be looking to leave their jobs. Subsequently job recruiters who either left the industry or were laid off should be returning within the next 18 to 24 months.
In contrast, others cite a jobless recovery. That is where industry will recover from the dreadful economy long before the job market will rebound. Employers, some say, will do without hiring additional employees until they are confident the economy has rebounded. Even then, some might want to do with a smaller staff to make up for lost money during the recession.
One thing we have noticed is that those employers who are hiring are increasing the range of background checks as part of their preemployment screening program. It appears that most companies are much more discerning about who they hire and whether the job candidates have much needed depth in the requisite skill sets. Perhaps it is an outgrowth of the economic downturn, where employers believe it is a buyer’s market. It may be that employers believe they have been burned with some of their hires or burdened with deadwood or those lacking the necessary talent to move their businesses forward. There is nothing like an economic meltdown to demonstrate which employees are more capable than the others.
I believe there will be ample churn. I also believe employers will be a lot more selective as to who they hire. Rather than populate the work staff with bodies and workers with mediocre ability they will continue to make due with smaller staffs and take their time with recruiting. This recession has taught us many lessons. We have learned not to consume overly and buy what we don’t need. We have learned, overall, to be more frugal. And we have learned what it takes to survive a major recession. So it would be natural that employers would want to be more thorough with their background searches. It makes sense to check them out before you hire.
