Posted: Thu 15 Jan 2009
Morale is obviously not at its highest at the moment as many recruiters find their job tougher and may fear losing their job altogether. Members of staff who have joined the workforce since 2003 may not have ever worked through difficult markets and may worry about the unfamiliar and unsettling situation. Challenges faced by consultants in the current market include the more difficult task of business development, holding on to existing clients and prioritising tasks differently.
Responsibility lies with the management team to keep everyone focussed, communicating and confident about how to work in this new market. Mentoring and buddy schemes are a great way of sharing knowledge and experiences among teams and improving confidence. Combine this with training and coaching so recruiters are armed with the skills required to work in what is a very different marketplace to the one that they’ve been used to. Everyone will then be aware of the symptoms they may have to deal with and will feel more confident about their ability to manage them and succeed through any difficult times.
It's also important to appreciate that what people fear most is the unknown. Nobody will be motivated if they're feeling scared or suspicious about the current climate. Reassure them that you have your "Plan B" ready, which will make sure everyone’s goals are aligned and they know what they're doing.
Informing consultants that the strategies are there and engaging them by asking for their ideas and input will make sure everyone is clear about their position.
Finally, try and stay upbeat and this will have a positive effect on the morale of those around you. There are jobs out there – you just need to know how to find them!
Fiona Lander, Managing Director of Lander Associates, training and performance experts to the international specialist recruitment sector.