I’ve been in the recruiting industry for over (20) years and can honestly say I have never experienced a job market that we are all experiencing today. I’ve talked to many candidates on a daily basis that are so discouraged with the state of the job market. I would like to offer some advice to all those job seekers, STAY POSITIVE AND KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, things are going to get better!  In all my years in the business I’ve never seen a job market that reacts so slow in the hiring cycle, the market is at glacier speed and you’re not going to change that. Still, be diligent in your efforts, have a sense of urgency and keep things in perspective.

Persevere and never lose sight of your goal. Never let up on your efforts, and never stop believing that the right opportunity is out there. The job market in its current state is disheartening to say the least, but there is opportunity out there to be had. That opportunity goes to those who keep their heads up, get creative in marketing themselves and persevere in their efforts. As frustrating as your situation may be, never lose your passion! Show passion in everything you do, even when falling and not finding that job, get up, dust your self off, put a smile on your face and get back in the game.

Passion and a positive attitude are infectious, people see it in your efforts and in everything you do. This goes beyond your game face for interviews, your networking and daily job search. It’s about being positive, your body language and how you interact all the time. We as a country have been down many times before and it has always been the positive attitudes, passion and keeping our heads up that bring us back bigger and stronger than before.  So, for all you job seekers out there, show some passion and strength in everything you do, you’ll be amazed at the reactions you get and the impacts on your job search.

One last thing… As we get ready to celebrate the fourth of July, our freedom and independence, remember our troops.  The men and women of our armed forces are truly what Passion, Perseverance and Positive Attitude is all about!

I talk to hiring executives from Fortune 500 corporations to small businesses on a daily basis who have been dealing with  downsizing, mandatory employee furloughs, unpaid vacations, pay cuts, etc., in an effort to cut costs while trying to retain key employees and productivity. In seeing a few signs of the recession ending in the later part of 09 some companies are planning their workforce for the future, “Flexible Workforces”.  A recent report from Littler predicts that up to 50% of the workforce added in 2010 will be made up of one form or another of contingent workers, up to 35% could be temporary, contract  workers or project based labor.

In an effort to be positioned for growth when the economy turns around some of our clients are strategically planning which of our contract staffing services will give them the ability to staff up or down quickly supporting their business functions as well as their strategies in long term project planning. Over the years the benefits of temporary/contract staffing have been proven time and time again in thousand of dollars saved in payroll expenses, taxes, insurance, employee benefits and most importantly the ability for companies to retain and attract key, talented individuals.

In my twenty plus years experience in the staffing industry I have never seen a time more important than now for companies to look at their workforce today and plan how they are going to position themselves to be competitive and productive with a “Flexible Workforce” going forward.

Companies need to plan for the future now. . .