“Take it all in.” These are words from my martial arts master, and they relate to not just the dynamics of the blue mat to which I bow. Being mindful of my environment is what helps me position and re-position myself to adapt to whatever change is occurring or will occur in my sphere of influence. My future in this industry we call recruiting is but one example of such environmentally sensitive adaptation. The better I am able to take in all the data points that comprise the practice of talent acquisition, retention and consulting, and assimilate those points into an understandable mosaic, the better position I will be in to interpret and apply business acumen.

What are some examples of mosaic-building data points for my future in recruiting? I consider both macro and micro variables as recruiting is not all about me: geo-political and global economics, industrial evolutions (growth, decline and combinations or de-couplings) and how they affect niche and burgeoning markets that trigger hiring, hiring freezes or RIFs, technological advancements and the related speed of absorption that shifts demand, competitors in the recruiting field and their relative market position, and then my composite strengths, capabilities and mind share relative to other recruiting professionals. I try to take these variables in and assemble them as one would a puzzle that presents a map to the future. For me, this assimilation and interpretation is part concerted application of very good teachers and part intuition, and whether I’m right or not is probably part luck and part prayer.

Towards the end of 2009, I still see confusion, panic, chaos and apathy in recruiting as a trickled-down effect of global economies struggling to take turns in getting a toe on solid economic footing and a record number of highly-skilled, highly stressed candidates fighting for scarce positions. In 2010, I expect more interim, contract and temp-to-perm placements to improve confidence indices with economic posture stabilizing. Then, as hiring demand increases over the next 18-24 months, recruiting professionals will compete more rationally with fees and volume improving.

I will be in the midst, participating and competing alongside my peers. Hopefully, I’ll win more than lose. My approach is to continue to build bridges, take on good work (not ghost work), and be a positive signpost for clients and candidates alike. I am positioned to ride the waves of change and remain open and flexible to adapt to what comes my way. Although it’s a picture that takes a lot of work to put together, the optimist in me sees a very bright and sunny future in recruiting…and it’s a picture worth taking in.