Staffing and Recruiting During an Economic and Unemployment Crisis

Submitted by: Jerry Mitnik, Manager of Business Development, Accountants For You/Office Staff For You

During this time in our Country’s history as we are experiencing an economic recession and a rising unemployment rate; how as business leaders are we going to get the job done with a downsized staff? The answer is in our ability to recruit, hire and train employees who wear numerous hats.

As Staffing and Recruiting Professionals, we are seeing fundamental changes in the way companies are fulfilling their staffing needs. As businesses reduce their workforce, the Employment Industry has been experiencing an influx of "Seasoned Professionals." These individuals come to us at a critical time in their careers, so we can aid them during their search for a new position. Some of these Candidates have been working for the same company for over 15 years and need assistance and training on Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills. They have a wealth of transferable knowledge and skills and are accustomed to high pressure responsibilities and multi-tasking.

Here is where the changes come into play. Instead of it being a Candidates’ Market it is now an Employers’ Market and we as an Industry must find a way for our Clients to benefit from our recruiting and placement expertise. Employers need to review and redefine job descriptions to accommodate the changes in staff. They must revisit their succession plans and plot a course to get through these times. Now is the best time to engage the use of a Staffing and Recruiting Firm.

Most Agencies offer a variety of options when it comes to hiring a Candidate. These options range from a Temporary Employee to a Direct Hire. The most cost effective way to find a Candidate that can multi-task and wear multiple hats is by using a Contractor or Temporary to Hire Candidate. These Candidates are experienced, professional, flexible and adaptable. They understand business and are very negotiable on their hourly rates.

We have found that corporate Recruiting and Human Resource departments are also running short of employees and do not have the time to effectively recruit. Additionally, most companies can not and/or choose not to take on the burden and costs (referencing, background screening, training, taxes and benefits) associated with bringing on a New Hire. Most Executive Recruiting firms absorb these costs as part of doing their due diligence.

By using a customer focused Professional Staffing Firm an Employer can try out a Candidate as a Contractor or Temp to Hire Employee. Employers can see if the Candidate has the appropriate skill set and if they’re a "Cultural Fit." 80% of a long-term retained hire is based on Culture while only 20% is based on skill set. Contractor/Consultant Candidates are the solution to success during this time of economic uncertainty.

As a Certified Woman Business Enterprise; Accountants For You and OfficeStaff For You is a locally owned and operated Regional Boutique staffing firm specializing in the recruiting and placement of temporary, temporary to permanent and direct placement of accounting, finance, human resource and office professionals. We differentiate ourselves from our competition by providing cost effective staffing solutions by fostering a consultative environment for Clients and Candidates. Our recruiting process is thorough; we screen, test and reference all Candidates. We actively recruit Passive Candidates Industry to Industry.

If you are an Employer seeking staff or a Candidate seeking employment please contact us at 215-988-7200 or via email us at Info@AccountantsForYou.com. Feel free to visit our website: www.AccountantsForYou.com.

Jerry Mitnik is the Manager of Business Development for Accountants For You and OfficeStaff® For You. He forges partnerships with both the Candidates and the Client by providing unsurpassed customer service through a consultative approach. He is also an active member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and a Supplier Network Graduate.