As we sit at the beginning of the slow business period from Thanksgiving to year end, what are your thoughts regarding the level of hiring activity in the immediate and short-term?

Great question and every year is a little different in 4th quarter. What we are experiencing at RSG is our client companies discussing roles in all our focus areas for the 1st quarter of 2012 and about half those clients are interested in at least getting phone interviews and/or onsite interviews completed before the end of the year.

From a macro perspective, there is a great deal of acquisition activity occurring which has caused a number of companies to delay active hiring until 2012. Unless the global debt crisis quickly gets dramatically worse or something else unexpected happens, I believe the intermediate market for talent will be fairly brisk through the middle of next year. With 2012 being an election year that may be a game changer for the second half of 2012, but my crystal ball does not see out that far.

Our advice to individuals wanting to make a move in 2012 is to begin networking and honing your interview skills now. The Holidays are a perfect time to get out the video camera and do mock interviews, update your resume and read up on the latest trends in your field. If you have put off taking that certification course that may give you an edge on your competition, do yourself a favor and commit to getting it done as a New Year’s gift to yourself.

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