Hello,
I specialize in recruiting for hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks in New York City. My firm focuses on accounting and operations positions. We have been a very successful firm for the past few years, and I myself have done very well both professionally and financially. Although this business can be stressful at times, I always described my job to friends at "manageable stress."

Even as the economy slowed the 1st 2-3 quarters of 2008, we did great. We did not start to truly feel the affects of the recession until that fateful Sunday evening when it was announced that Lehman Bros was going under. Since that date, I have only made 1 placement, and activity for me and my colleagues is at an all time low. I am used to having at least 2-3 candidate interviews per day...I have not had a candidate interview yet in November.

On one hand, I am trying to be calm and keep saying to myself that it will get better "soon." I keep trying to remind myself that I am in this for the long term, etc etc. That being said, I need to make placements in order to pay my bills/support my family, and I am becoming very scared that the job and industry I know of will not be good for a very long time.

Anyone else out there (financial services recruiters) feeling the same? The last thing I want to do is leave - I have been making in excess of $200K for a few years in a row now, and I'm nervous that 09 could be a $50K year!