Johnson & Associates, LLC

A Difficult Time Lies Ahead...

Never before have I experienced this sort of economy as a Recruiter. We've had ups and downs in the marketplace accompanied by cold and hot job markets. But this is different. The winter is going to be a long, cold one.

My peers tell me that I might consider diluting my honesty a bit. I disagree. I get calls every day from candidates looking for jobs and contracts. I tell them, sorry, I don't have anything for you now if I don't and the conversation ends quickly and they move on to their next call. Some sales training is in dire need for these candidates. Keeping in contact with people is critical in good times and bad but the world moves so quickly now that there is an almost mercenary mentality to seeking out and finding jobs.

I remember Danny Cahill explaining to a group of us once that one of his strongest proteges used to make 100 cold calls a day. He'd call up a hiring manager or key contact ask them directly if they had anything for him and then abruptly get off the phone to the next prospect if the news wasn't positive. It worked for him but only in the context of making sales and calls. If he ever had to fall back on a relationship he was dead in the water.

I've had candidates I recruited for an opening they turned down recently call me up and say their job/contract was just eliminated and asking if I had anything for them. I used to feel vindicated by these scenarios but now I feel sorry for them. There just isn't a lot out there right now and the news isn't looking great for 2009. Most companies are slashing budgets, cutting positions, and if the company is a publicly traded company you can bet they're doing everything in their strategic planning to keep the bottom line in the black.

We're working hard at Johnson & Associates now. We're working on finding our next niche with clients and prospects. We're hunting but we're also taking care of our clients the way we always should. And right now that means every day counts toward tomorrow. Many calls we make are to hiring managers asking us about new careers, new jobs, new openings for themselves. Price dropping isn't going to help. I don't believe in the Federal Government bailing out our economy either. Social programs are great and some measures may help keep the credit markets viable which can aid in keeping the economy moving at its slow pace. But the fact is we as Americans overspent, over borrowed, and didn't plan on the gravy train running out of steam. For shame, nothing lasts forever. Fortunately, this Recession won't either.

Call me anytime to discuss or if you have any great ideas to expand our business. We're always opening our doors to new, great ideas.

Joel Johnson - President    

Your Recruitment process reviewed...

Have you considered looking at your recruitment practice in your organization recently? If so, you're one of the few that have. Most HR and Hiring authorities that we work with have a system in place that they've developed and honed over the years. Historically, it has been successful and the need to change isn't evident. Johnson & Associates, LLC advises that now is the time to consider tweaking or changing not only an existent paradigm but also the cultural aspects of the recruitment process.

If your organization already has a great opportunity, compensation model, benefit package what might be the reason to consider a new approach? After all, you hire ahead of the game and avoid the critical hiring demands when at all possible. In 2006 and 2007 we knew about the looming Baby Boomer crisis and the economy was humming along while the only bad news we really felt was the war effort in the Middle East. Since then our food, fuel, and way of life has changed for nearly everyone. With announcements of GM and Ford closing down production facilities, consumption patterns drastically changing we're witnessing just how quickly our world can change. The focus recently has been on the economy and the weather. Did our talent shortage situation change? Moreover, are the pool of applicants coming into the market to replace the exiting masses interested in the same things as their predecessors? Surely not.

Johnson & Associates, LLC has worked with the various generations from the Baby Boomers to the Generation called Y (Echo Boom). Are you prepared to offer these groups of talent what they desire from their careers? Many companies just don't have the time to study changes in preferences and haven't adjusted their recruitment process to attract these qualified applicants. We advise our clients on how they can strategically modify their recruitment process in order to appeal to the candidates they will come to depend upon in the near future. Merely changing how you word the same employment packages simply isn't going to suffice.

Consider a 'Recruitment Review' from Johnson & Associates, LLC. We'll meet personally with you to discuss your unique and common challenges and get to know your culture and organization. We will ask you questions and for information on how you expect to meet your staffing challenges for the next year, five years, and ten years. We'll develop a custom report that offers recommendations and changes to help you prepare for your future. This is a complimentary service we provide for our clients and we invite you to call us soon at 515-221-2679 or toll free at 877-221-4679.

Sincerely,

Joel Johnson

J&A launches Healthcare Recruiting...

We're excited to enter the Healthcare industry focusing on Physician, Nurse, and Medical staff related position recruiting for our clients in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Healthcare organizations for years have depended upon peer to peer recruiting but with increasing demand for the growing patient care and case load facing all hospitals, clinics, and practices we're poised to be the go-to partner they seek.

Our value to our clients is three-fold.

1. We're from the area, know the communities, and can demonstrate this knowledge with direct involvement with the visiting candidates  and their families.
2. Our focus is on Contingent Searches with a 6 month guarantee.
3. We will be working directly with your candidates before, during, and after the interview process to ensure a positive outcome.

When you work with J&A Healthcare Recruiting you'll have personal service from the owner and the staff employed at J&A. We recognize that during the next decade your hiring needs are going to change. Your recruiting strategy will need to adapt to the market, the trends in the Healthcare industry, and to target the ideal candidates that will represent your organization and community.

We look forward to working with you and for you.

Sincerely,

Joel Johnson

Owner - J&A Healthcare Recruiting

New J&A Recruiting Blog

New to J&A is this section dedicated to employment trends in Healthcare and I.T., Des Moines and the Midwest employment markets, fun and exciting experiences we’ve had in recruiting and contracting, and some unique entries into whatever grabs our owner’s interest (which is most likely new restaurants, wine, and golf).