John Challenger Hiring Quotations

More and more human resource executives are coming to the realization that they can no longer drag their heels on hiring decisions. If they do, it is increasingly likely that the candidate will be off the market before the offer is made.

It is far smarter to maximize productivity by paying overtime wages rather than hiring new workers, who will be slow until they become familiar with the new job.

These ... factors are going to keep hiring from taking off in 2004. Job seekers certainly should not expect to see a repeat of the tremendous job expansion of the mid-to-late 1990s.

Even when the economy is fully recovered and companies are back in expansion mode, we may not see a revival in hiring of the rank-and-file worker. Cost containment oriented companies, in an effort to become more agile in this increasingly competitive global marketplace, will rely more an more on a just-in-time workforce of contract and contingent workers.

The longer search times reflect additional risks in the job market. High energy prices may be slowing companies hiring plans and could result in the postponement of expansion programs.