Aug 6, 2009

The job market is improving

Posted by Wendy Weber

Well, it happened again today.

Our client authorized us to extend an offer of employment, and our candidate turned it down.  The economy must be picking up.

Last month, it happened to me twice.  I had a client who extended an offer to one of my candidates, and the candidate had multiple offers from which to choose.  He ultimately accepted another offer  – identical in compensation – because he thought he would be happier in a “client side” environment.  I presented additional candidates, and my client extended an offer to another one of my candidates.  She had been unemployed for only a short while, and she was concerned about the cultural fit with this client.  Without another offer of employment in hand, she turned down my client’s offer.  That’s confidence that the job market is improving.  (I’m not sure I would have done the same thing in her shoes.)

Today another recruiter in this office reached an impasse on a search he had been conducting.  The offer was extended…it was somewhat short of our expectations, and our candidate’s expectations.  The client still feels that it’s a “buyer’s market”.  But the candidate, who is employed, declined the offer.  Our job seekers have a renewed confidence in their career options.

Frustrating for us as recruiters…but I believe these stories bode well for the job market.  Our candidates have options again.   (And for the record, most of the offers of employment we extend are accepted!)

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