For Recruiters and Candidates Alike - Attitude is Everything in a Down Economy... Everything

With the ongoing Slump in the housing market and the steady rise in gasoline and food prices constantly thrown in our faces, it’s no wonder that Americans fear the worst for our economy. You can’t turn on the news or pick up a newspaper without hearing the media’s increasingly pessimistic reminder on how bad things are. But hey ...is the economy really all that bad?

It depends on your view of the glass being half empty or half full. Clearly things have changed - but… is it fair to compare our current situation to “The Great Depression”? C'mon! That's not even close!

In the last two recessions, the unemployment rate was much higher and the economy was not growing.

Today, we are dealing with a different set of dynamics - rising gas prices and the meltdown in the housing industry. I get that. And... while that information can't be taken lightly - companies still need to hire the best talent they can find! As a friend of mine always told me ...In a good economy companies need to find good people to help fuel the companies continued growth. In a bad economy companies need to find the BEST people to help them weather the storm.

A daily dose of the nightly news will give you all of the doom and gloom you can handle. I don't think I'm depressed just yet. Wait... let me turn off CNN. OK, I am starting to feel better already!

Let me stay on point - please... You all know the drill - keep your head down, stay on point, remain positive and this will pass. It always seems to work out that way.

Did I mention that attitude and remaining upbeat in the search business has a lot to do with a positive outcome? Didn't think so:-) Hang in there. Better days are just around the corner... promise!

Editor's Note - Tim Tolan is a partner at Sanford Rose Associates and specializes in Executive Search in Healthcare IT.  He's a closer, and you really don't want to call him unless you're ready to bring out the bazooka to bag some big game...       

Comments

[marenhogan]

Tim,I think this is excellent advice no matter what field you are in. People still need jobs, places to live, companies are still making profits after paying salary and benes so let's move on. Enough hand-wringing already. When I have to eat margarine, we'll talk.

[Tim Tolan]

Maren: Truer words were never spoken. Let's move "onward thru the fog". I was thinking that when you need to consume mayonnaise sandwiches it may be a good time for us to chat. However I like your idea of margarine much better:-). Now let's get back to work!