Increase in demand for long-standing HR professionals

HR employees who survived the early 1990s recession are increasingly sought after by headhunters, it has been reported.

Speculation of another recession has prompted companies to seek out those with experience of dealing with economic downturns, according to Personnel Today.

Recruiting consultants and headhunters have also reported a significant surge in their workload since the beginning of the credit crunch.

Executive Headhunters' managing director Phil Sharp reported that the company has seen more demand for HR executives from the 1990s who have experience in change management.

Speaking to the magazine, he commented: Over the past ten years, boardroom directors have only had experience with the good times. Employers are looking to bolster their boards with [those who] are used to making redundancies.

The British Chambers of Commerce recently warned that a UK recession was likely as costs rise and consumers continue to exercise control over spending.

The emphasis is definitely changing from seeking new hires to getting the best out of existing staff, says ClickAJob Marketing Manager Anders Jensen.

And yes, dead wood has to go in some companies, which makes hatchet jobs inevitable.

But redundancies don't solve everything - so the real investment is in HR professionals with experience of motivating people and helping them realise full job satisfaction, he points out.

It takes a real specialist to keep staff properly skilled and fully committed,
he continues.

When money is tight, an expert like that is worth their weight in gold.