Hospitality Employees Market in the West?

A very happy and prosperous 2009 to everyone.

Just when hospitality job seekers in the West thought they were sitting in the catbird seat, along came our current economic downard dive (not to be confused with Yoga's Downward Dog). This should server as a correction to the employee's advantage. From a recruiter's perspective, it was interesting to see how people on both the employer and employee side handled the change from an employers market to an employees one.

As you might expect, many candidates relished in the turn of events and some employers resisted the new shift in power. Although I found most people I dealt with strove to be reasonable and practical, some hiring situations became comical with a resistant employer on one side and an overarching candidate on the other. Only comical after the fact of course!

It's been difficult as a recruiter to deal with people who take an unreasonable position, whether that be a candidate that expects the sun and moon or an employer who wants capable and experienced candidates but refuses to acknowledge the need to better accomodate them. Difficult, because I don't always want to be diplomatic with people who are wasting my time.

I won't detail my experience with "bad" employees and employers but focus on the good. A few stellar candidates sitting in the catbird seat displayed the most generous and noble spirits and didn't think to try and capitalize on the situation and push for everything they ever dreamed of from an employer. A few innovators on the employer side invested time and money to understand the hiring situation and truly approach candidates with flexibility, an open mind, and as real people with lives outside work.

To close, I must emphasis another positive side, which is my preferred view. I learned a lot about many candidates and some employers where I would otherwise would not have had the opportunity. Even better, I have had the happy circumstance of being able to keep notes on all good and bad behaviour in my little black book!

May you all reach the heights of success and prosperity in 2009!