Sorry for neglecting you all last week, my blog friends! I was preoccupied with helping my new little nephew, Joel Christian, into the world. It's amazing the difference a few hours can make. A few hours, a few moments, in the blink of an eye - your entire world has changed.

The whole birthing process can be related to the recruiting process really. First you find out: You're expecting! You've got a job order and you've (hopefully) got a timeline to hire. You excitedly spread the word, start networking with your existing candidates, reaching out to find new candidates, and always checking the health of the search: regular feedback from your client, constant communication with the candidates, monitoring the pulse of the search, the heart rate of the hiring authority as they review the candidates you've unearthed, and looking forward to the "Hire" date. There are details to handle prior to the Hire Date, such as salary terms, vacation package, benefits, maybe relocating the family dog? A steady march toward the addition of a new employee continues as you do your work, the candidate does their work and your client does their work.

As with kids, the work is never really done. But approaching each placement in a methodical way, constantly checking the health, measuring the progress, monitoring client/candidate interest, and finally, handing over to your client a nicely wrapped Shiny Star Candidate to help them reach their goals makes the entire process worthwhile.

So welcome to the world little Joel Christian! And a healthy, happy birth to all our Candidate Babies we will produce in the upcoming months!