Demand for Interim Recruiters Remains Strong - Companies are Hiring Again!

Dear Colleague:

Happy New Year! 

Consistent with the trend we reported back in our September 2009 newsletter, we are pleased to report that the demand for contract recruiters has continued to rise (See our Recently-Filled Positions.) This is not just good news for the Interim HR world, but a good sign for the economy at large. Companies are clearly hiring again, like our client who recently engaged 5 of our Contract Recruiters to help hire 500 salespeople in just 3 months (click here for more detail). In addition, we are heartened to hear many members of our HR network report that the market for permanent HR positions is heating up, as well. While this recovery might not be as precipitous as those before it, the fact that both contract and permanent hiring is on the rise – and it’s only January -  is a solid indicator that the economy should continue to improve over the course of 2010.  

While we are all somewhat relieved to say goodbye to 2009, we must acknowledge that the past year also bestowed a gift of sorts. As the saying goes “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Just speaking for ourselves here at Continuiti, 2009 challenged us to take stock of ourselves as an organization and tighten up our game. As a result, we are entering 2010 very sure of our footing and sharply focused on our goals. It seems most everyone we speak to echoes this sentiment, "we wouldn’t want to go through it again, but in some ways we are better for it."

Another reevaluation, spurred by the recession, was our decision to take the funds we had allocated to purchase holiday gifts for our clients and HR contractors and instead donate them to a local food bank. While we greatly appreciate our clients’ and contractors’ good will, the increased media attention to the rise of “food insecurity” – especially among the employed -  made us rethink the marginal benefit of gifting a 2010 Zagat Guide compared to that of helping to provide a meal for a neighbor. We invite you to view the photo essay we made documenting the (sobering) day we spent volunteering at the NJ Community Food Bank.

That is our news from the Interim HR front for now. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and abundant 2010!

Regina McGuire and Debra Horowitz
Co-Founders and Partners

If you have a question or comment you would like to share, please email us at interimhr@continuiti.com