With the press about our flailing economy in recent days, how are people feeling? I know it's hard or uncomfortable to be truly open and honest in this forum, but I am inviting you all to share your true feelings. If we are in the recruiting/staffing/employment advertising industry, and companies are not hiring, laying off, and closing their doors, what does our immediate future look like? Have you made special accommodations to prepare for this downturn? Are you worried about declining req's?

Maybe it's just me, but the employment advertising and recruiting business has ballooned in the last 5 or so years, just like... well, real estate and insurance sales a few years back. Between 1999 and 2005, I saw a tremendous number of new real estate companies opening up, along with more insurance professionals opening their own practices. In the last 5 years, I've been watching as more and more small, private staffing agencies and contract recruiters have flooded the market. When I started with JobsInTheUS just 5 years ago, there were a reported 2,000 or so "internet job boards". Now, there are more than 40,000. PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG! I think this is a GOOD THING. Small business and start ups are what the American Dream is all about. I guess I'm just contemplating the correlation between the insurance and real estate boom, and the boom in employment advertising and recruiting. Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

By the way, here's some clippings from the Prez:


By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer Thu Sep 25, 5:21 AM ET

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Wednesday that lawmakers risk a cascade of wiped-out retirement savings, rising home foreclosures, lost jobs and closed businesses if they fail to act on a massive financial rescue plan. "Our entire economy is in danger," he said.


"Without immediate action by Congress, American could slip into a financial panic and a distressing scenario would unfold," Bush said in a 12-minute prime-time address delivered from the White House East Room that he hoped would help rescue his tough-sell bailout package. "Ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession."