The Season of Death in Talent Acquisition

Welcome to my blog about life and recruiting and where they intersect. The past year has been a transformational one for me. Being through health challenges changes you. I’ve wanted to write for a while but get intimidated by the great content and writers! To quote one of my favorite novelists, Anais Nin, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” A good friend said just put it on paper, so my new blog sprouted.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

It is that time of year, Autumn, the season of death. Plants once full of promise and bounty barely stand, fallen leaves exposing newly denuded branches. We witness this cycle in all that we do, including our daily job, where I have been contemplating the seismic changes in Talent Acquisition. Change is never easy for creatures of habit (most recruiters I know). For several months, the “R” word has been on my mind; recession. I have been through a few of these and started pulling in my belt a few months ago.?

I’ve observed a parallel universe between my gardening and work. As with my garden, it’s time to weed and clean at work. Suppose you haven’t been looking for ways to conserve cost; buckle up for a bumpy ride or a meager harvest next year. Look for every opportunity to clean out those things like tools underutilized or not fully adopted to subscriptions that creep up on you. I lost several tenured recruiters last Autumn, culminating this Spring when all were feasting. I did not backfill most of those positions. Where else have you been spending money hoping the economy will improve? We all do those things our brain prefers to do. Cutting costs isn’t always one of them; it’s like the end of the season when I’m reluctant to let go of those plants which no longer hold promise. Am I going to see a baby eggplant grow to maturity now that it’s mid-October? I’m guilty of procrastinating too. I just finished cleaning out my garden.?

You survey the landscape after the dust settles. It is challenging to lose what once held so much promise, but you amend the soil and remain hopeful that the next year returns bounty in equal measure. My thoughts drift to those caught in the path of companies pivoting in response to adverse headwinds. Layoffs, mergers, or acquisitions from companies large and small have created an opportunity for each of us to plant our virtual gardens anew. Nurturing these future seedlings of change is my plea to YOU, my dearest friends and colleagues.??

Layoffs, mergers, or acquisitions ... have created an opportunity for each of us to plant our virtual gardens anew.

What if each of us did just one thing to help someone displaced? Call someone impacted and ask them how they are doing-TODAY. Then call them daily to ensure they dress, put on their face, start an excel sheet tracking their outreach or help them network. At a time when their life may be upside down, you could be the one person who helps restore their order, perspective, and perhaps even their fleeting hopes. You may be gainfully employed. Count your blessings:?I know that I do. But I have experienced the sting of layoffs before - more than once. How about you? We ride the waves of victories and lament the memories of the losses. In between those times when we hoped, sometimes against hope, and prayed for a big break or an inkling of hope, for someone who cared deeply enough to share our most inner thoughts, fears, and misgivings.

But I have experienced the sting of layoffs before—more than once.

I will not forget those who helped me along the way. They won’t forget you either.??

#gardengirl #storyteller #talentacquisition #payitforward #rifd