BILL EMERSON LENDS EXPERTISE ON CAUTIOUS EMPLOYERS FOR COURIER POST
BILL EMERSON LENDS EXPERTISE ON CAUTIOUS EMPLOYERS FOR COURIER POST’S SUNDAY EDITION
Emerson Group’s President, Bill Emerson, provided his perspective on the topic of cautious hiring practices by employers in a Sunday, November 30th Courier Post article called “Back to Work, But not Normal”. His comments were part of a larger topic regarding the challenges faced post-recession by the long-term unemployed. Below you will find Bill’s view, or to read the entire article, please (click here)
Cautious employers
Bill Emerson had an abundance of great candidates in 2011, but not so many employers looking to hire.
He is CEO of the Emerson Group in Cherry Hill, a staffing and recruiting firm for employers since 1971.
Three years ago, companies were hesitant to bring on workers full-time. The trend shifted toward temp-to-hire, with employers taking on workers for a short period of time before deciding whether to add them to the payroll.
Today, in a slowly emerging economy, employers are showing more confidence.
“We are extremely busy with consistent growth in direct-to-hire,” Emerson said. “We also are seeing candidates being hired quicker.”
Although wages remain stagnant, Emerson can attest to a loosening of the purse strings for the most talented workers, especially in IT, health care, law and insurance.
“The top candidates are getting back in the driver’s seat,” he added. “Employers are getting creative with signing bonuses.”
Still, positions in middle management eliminated during the recession are not being refilled. And it’s a tough sell persuading employers to consider workers who have been jobless for more than a year, unless they have gone back to school.
“They ask, ‘If they are that good, why are they out so long?’ ” Emerson explained.
Three years ago, workers concerned with job security tended to stick with their current employers. These days, Emerson sees more activity among people willing to change jobs.
“We are seeing people who already are employed being head-hunted. They are more willing to go from one company to the next.”
Despite growth in the economy, employers are choosy, requesting two or three qualified candidates for each position. With more job seekers than jobs, Emerson can readily comply.
“We still have more than one good candidate for every position that comes our way.”