In the past few months of economic question marks, I’ve been sharing the valuable lessons I’ve learned from recruiting in a recession. Another big one? To get past my own beliefs of what actually happens in a recession. Here’s what I thought:
During a recession, people are getting fired left and right. And now, the job market – for those companies that were hiring – must be getting flooded with incredible people looking for a job.
Here’s what I found to be true:
Recessions often act like giant reset buttons for companies… and some even welcome them when it comes to staffing! Why? Because during a downturn, businesses can make long-delayed personnel changes under the cover of economic necessity. It becomes easier to let people go by simply saying, “Sorry, it’s the recession.”
I asked companies across the nation the same question: “What is the difference you’re seeing when recruiting when things were going great versus now being in a recession?” The answer I heard again and again was, “In a recession, you just see a great many more bad applicants.”
Don’t fear a downturn in the economy; understand what it does and the opportunities it creates. Radio may generally get fewer candidates, but they’re typically far more qualified, and that’s what companies really want!
That makes perfect sense, Chris. Unfortunately, the weakest links must go; therefore, the newly unemployed are the ones with less skill, experience, etc. Again, unfortunate.
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