Roger Ruane - FR Europe CFR Consulting Group member in the UK, 01.07.2009

In theory, the current economic downturn affecting many countries in Europe and beyond, should result in employers finding it easier to recruit high calibre candidates given the large scale redundancy programmes witnessed during the last 12 months.

However, whilst there is perhaps a greater choice of candidates available for roles in sectors which have suffered the most during the current recession such as financial services and automotive, at the same time, there is a greater reluctance on the part of those candidates still employed to "put their heads above the parapet" and consider changing employer.

The CFR Consulting Group® is reminding its clients that, given the challenges all businesses face, it is even more important to make the right selection decisions and ensure that people with the most appropriate skills and best fit are appointed into vacant positions. The current market conditions, whilst on the one hand resulting in a large number of available candidates, is also making potential job seekers become far more cautious about changing employment. Although many candidates may recognise that they are ready for a new professional challenge, in today's climate, they are likely to be more risk averse and feel that it would be better to "sit tight" until there are clear signs of improvement in the economy. CFR's message to its clients is; Executive Search will help you to recruit high quality candidates who are currently in employment, but there will also be a large number of skilled professionals currently available owing to redundancy on a last-in, first-out basis. These can be reached through well targeted advertisements in appropriate media and CFR is expecting larger responses to job advertisements than for a number of years. A move to a new company will always entail an element of risk as regardless of the thoroughness of the selection process, it will take the first few months of employment for both parties to adjust and to know if a good cultural fit will exist between employee and employer. Now, more than ever, potential candidates contemplating changing jobs need to be 100% convinced that a job move is the right one for them. The recruitment consultancy and the client company must have a clear message to deliver and be able to demonstrate to the candidate the benefits of changing roles - why this move will not only provide them with the challenges they seek but how it will also represent an excellent move in terms of their future career.