Downturn opportunity for talent solution providers

The bad news on the jobs front is relentless. 15,600 jobs vanished in November.

Admittedly anxiety rules the roost – those who still have jobs fear they will be the next to get the chop. Those who already lost jobs worry about their prospects in an increasingly grim economic environment. Professionals in the finance sector, in particular, don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

In a time of uncertainty what feels good is certainty.

As players in the talent acquisition game, the downturn is a great opportunity to make real our claims of ‘adding value’. By being calm, honest about the situation, being generous with our time (Hire an extra person to man the phones) and offering options/alternatives (rather than just saying we don’t have jobs) we can help reduce the collective anxiety among job seekers. In return we get to improve our industry’s image, add value and fulfil our roles as ‘solution providers’ regardless of the economy.

Clients, faced with the difficult task of running profitable businesses with less people, needs help too. Grappling with the human costs of an economic downturn, employers are anxious about damaging their employment brand. Perhaps, a visit or a call without expecting anything in return is due.

Of course, we don’t have all the answers, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing what we can. Normal business is not enough.

People remember those who look after them when times are hard.