Opportunity in the Face of Recession

(Today's post was written by Sheldon Marder, Temporary Staffing Manager for Blaine and Associates, Inc.)

Turn on the TV, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper. Everywhere you go people are talking about the economy. And it seems everyone knows someone who's lost their job due to downsizing. You might even be one of them!

With more than 33 years in the staffing industry, this is not the first time I've experienced a contraction of the workforce and I suspect this isn't your first time either. Never a pleasant feeling to say the least. We are all feeling the pain in our pocketbook and the uneasiness of an uncertain time.

But these challenges also bring opportunities. Traditionally during a recession firms tend to cut back on their workforce excessively and then find themselves understaffed once their business begins to pick up. They turn to services such as ours to fill the gap and by this avenue will bring these same temps onto their own payroll as full-time employees. It's an easy transition: the temps have already been trained and have proven themselves a valuable asset. And since temporary positions tend to be skill-driven and not industry-specific, it's a terrific chance to explore careers in a new field.

So seize the opportunity - in a time when you feel like opportunities are rare - and reinvent yourself. What does the recession mean for you? Might just be time to embark on a new adventure!