To say that 2008 was a challenge would be an understatement of course and 2009 figures to be an even greater one for those in the recruiting industry and people looking for jobs. There are a few trends that are promising- we are holding our collective breaths and crossing our fingers.
1- The last months of 2008 brought a number of leading food, beverage and hospitality companies to our firm requesting proposals to partner with them for their recruiting in 2009 and beyond. Many of these companies are using the economic challenges we face to negotiate lower fees but the fact that they see the need to do that at all suggests that they also see key employee sourcing requirements in the coming months. During recent economic difficulties in 1989 and 2001 companies went quiet and did no hiring. We are seeing major indications that this will not be the case in 2009.
2- One of the challenges to filling positions in 2008 was relocation. No matter how badly candidates wanted to consider a relocation they could not as they were locked into their homes. With mortgage interest rates falling, the housing market beginning a recovery, and the hope of some home purchase stimulation coming out of the 111th Congress and the Obama administration, that hurdle may be becoming a much smaller problem in 2009.
3- Finally, it has always been said that the food, beverage and hospitality industries do not pay as well as some of the more glamorous sectors of industry but we all have to eat and they are not going anywhere. No truer words have been spoken and we expect 2009 to once again prove the adage. Both domestically and internationally we see a need for talented food industry professionals throughout the year with a general improvement in the second quarter and building from that point forward.
DSA looks forward to working with their client companies and candidates through these tough times. Please do not hesitate to call upon us for any information, insights or assistance that we might provide to your efforts.
