I have been in the recruiting business for 20 years. (I started work when I was 10 . . . wink, wink.) I have to say that 2016 was the STRANGEST year ever in the business.

 

I don’t even know what to attribute it to, so we’ll blame the fact that it was an election year. Below are two of my most memorable transactions:

 

1.) I was fired for the first time ever. (See my blog post “Don’t Blow Off Your Prom Date.”) I’m still unclear as to why. Was it because I called the HR rep to talk through the job offer that they extended? Was it because I sent my standard on-boarding email encouraging the rep to stay in touch with the candidate? (They said it was over-the-top and unprofessional.).  All I received was a “We are Cancelling your contract” email.

 

2.) I had a client text me at 9:30 p.m. that he wanted to make an offer to a candidate. I responded that we would iron out the details first thing in the morning. The candidate has four small children, so it wasn’t realistic to call and extend him an offer at 9:30 p.m. More importantly, I wanted to make sure everyone had their bases covered and talk through any contingencies with the offer when everyone was “fresh.” I have literally never heard from this client again. No return text. No return call. No return email. And no, he didn’t die. (See my blog post “Manners Makes the Man.”)

 

I can’t make this stuff up . . .

 

Despite all of this, my year turned out just fine and I have a lot for which to be thankful. One thing that really made my year was receiving gifts from my clients. Headhunters are typically in the same category as attorneys: you don’t really like us until you need us. Despite this, two of my clients gave me Christmas gifts. I was so touched that they took the time to say “thank you” for my hard work in finding candidates who added a ton of value to their organizations.

 

One of the more popular New Year’s Resolutions is to have an “attitude of gratitude.” I’m sure you tell your employees how appreciative you are of them on a regular basis. But have you told your vendors that? After all, your vendors have a huge impact on your business.

 

I have to admit that I’m guilty. I have NOT taken the time to say “thank you” to my vendors.

 

To start my personal “attitude of gratitude,” I would like to publicly thank the vendors with whom I have a personal relationship and who definitely play a huge part in my business and my success. Thank you to my awesome vendors and business partners!

 

Accountant/CPA: Leigh Ann Nelson with Spilker McKeone and Nelson

Attorney (luckily I don’t need him much): Mark Musson with Douthit Frets Rouse Gentile & Rhodes, LLC

Specific HR legal matters: Lisa Janati

Bank: Silver Lake Bank

Health benefits broker: Ivy Cole with First Option Bank

Commercial Insurance Broker: Hartford but I’ll give a shout out to Jerry Darnaby who got me connected to where I needed to be.

Other P&C Insurance: Sara and Scott Coffman at Auto Home Insurance(AHI)

Retirement plan manager/investment advisor: David Freisner with Fortune Financial Advisors and Bridget Broderick with Edward Jones

Back office contractor management: Top Echelon Contracting

Software/applicant tracking system: Big Biller

Web developer/maintenance: Hiring Hook websites

Blog editor: Matt Deutsch

Desktop support: Network Technologies

 

And of course, thanks to my many partners and virtual recruiter friends in the Top Echelon Network.

 

Have a great 2017!  This month I am celebrating 6 years in business!