Recruiting Resources

What Does the Ban on Noncompete Agreements Mean?

by Veronica Blatt

image of noncompete agreements with a red circle and slash on the topBack in January 2023, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposal to prohibit employers from requiring employees to sign noncompete agreements. After a public commentary period, the FTC voted yesterday to implement this proposed rule. Employers may no longer require noncompetes, and existing noncompetes are also considered null and void. An exception remains for existing agreements with senior executives, defined as those making more than US $151,164 per year and hold a policy-making role. The rule is set to take place in 120 days and is sure to face legal challenges.

There is evidence of noncompete agreements dating back to the 1400s. They began to gain prominence in the US in the 1800s and were state-level laws. For a nerdy deep dive into the history of noncompetes, read this. For many years, noncompete agreements were largely a factor for senior executives; employers used them to protect their trade secrets. Over time, this has changed to include many categories of workers, including fast-food workers and others with dubious access to trade secrets. The FTC’s position is that noncompete agreements make it hard for employees to leave a job, start a business, or in some cases have access to higher pay. The FTC also maintains that many employers could effectively protect their trade secrets through use of nondisclosure, or confidentiality, agreements or nonsolicitation agreements. An NDA prohibits someone from sharing confidential information that a person or business shared with them. A nonsolicitation agreement prevents someone from soliciting the staff or customers of the business they no longer work for.

So, what does this mean for third-party recruiters? In the short term, probably not much. It’s likely that court challenges will prevent this rule from going into effect while the lawsuits are underway. In the longer term, if the ban is implemented, third-party recruiters may see a more robust talent pool as more people feel they can actively seek a new role. Passive candidates may be more receptive to hearing about new opportunities if they’re not restricted by a nondisclosure agreement. This is a good time to counsel your clients to shift away from noncompetes in favor of nondisclosure and/or nonsolicitation agreeements and also which employees are covered by these.


Maximizing Your Recruitment Conference Investment: A Guide for Professional Recruiters

by Veronica Blatt

attendees at a recruitment conference coffee breakAttending a recruitment conference offers a unique amalgamation of opportunities for professional recruiters. It’s a chance to network, learn about the latest trends, and find ways to enhance your skills. However, with so much on offer, it’s crucial to approach these conferences with a strategy to ensure you’re not only making the most of your time but also securing a return on your investment. Here’s how: Read the rest of this entry »


Recruit, Pivot, Recruit, Pivot

by Veronica Blatt

image representing a pivot to a new directionToday’s guest blogger is Patti Steen with The Pelsten Group located in Seattle, WA. The Pelsten Group is a recruitment firm that focuses on all levels of positions within Healthcare and Medical Device organizations. The majority of their clients are in the Seattle area, but they actively support NPAworldwide across the US. Patti is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer. Today she offers some guidance to recruiters who may need to pivot to a new sector or service.

For a lot of recruiters, 2023 was a year of reinventing themselves…over and over again. Customers were hesitant to hire, employees were not making moves and in some markets, layoffs outpaced hiring. It was a difficult pill to swallow coming off two years of frenzied hiring. Read the rest of this entry »


Mastering the Art of Pivoting in Recruiting During Industry Downturns

by Liz Carey

Image of a dirt path in a forest with a fork creating two pathsAs an independent recruiter, navigating through industry downturns can be a daunting challenge. When hiring freezes and budget cuts become the norm, it can feel like your entire business is at risk. However, by mastering the art of pivoting in recruiting, you can not only survive during these tough times but also thrive. On a recent NPAworldwide engagement call, several successful recruiters shared how they have not only weathered the storm through economic downturns and recessions, but thrived due to being able to pivot their business focus. Read the rest of this entry »


How to Prevent Candidate Fall-Offs

by Liz Carey

man falling through the sky attached to a bungee cordAs an independent executive recruiter, you know how crucial it is to find and place top talent in your clients’ companies. Your reputation and business success depend on it. However, one of the biggest challenges recruiters face is candidate fall-offs. This happens when a candidate accepts an offer but ultimately declines or backs out before starting the job. Not only does this reflect poorly on your recruiting abilities, but it also wastes time and money for both you and your client. So how can you prevent candidate fall-offs? Here are some tips to guide you. Read the rest of this entry »


Google’s New Email Rules: A Primer for Recruiters

by Veronica Blatt

Today’s guest blogger is Andrew Rothman, web site manager and project specialist for PCRecruiter, the ATS/CRM hybrid selected by thousands of independent and agency recruiters around the world. PCRecruiter has been an NPAworldwide partner for over a decade. This article reviews the changes recently made by Google to email rules regarding authentication and subscriptions, with a focus on how they might affect the way recruiters handle and scale their email marketing and communications plans.

Back in October, Google announced changes to their email handling policies designed to combat spam. These new changes will be fully in place by February 2024. Yahoo/AOL has announced similar email rules and others will likely follow suit. While the changes should mostly have a positive effect — reducing the amount of junk and scams that get to inboxes — they could have a negative effect on your recruiting process if you rely heavily on cold email or aren’t using properly configured outgoing email systems. Read the rest of this entry »


Every Day is March Madness in Recruiting

by Liz Carey

basketball net with basketball in itRecruiters are constantly faced with challenges, obstacles, and the unpredictable nature of the job. Sound familiar? That’s because recruiting is a lot like March Madness – the annual college basketball tournament that captivates audiences around the world. In this blog post, we will explore how the recruiting industry mirrors the excitement, intensity, and unpredictability of March Madness. Read the rest of this entry »


Marketing Most Placeable Candidates For Business Development

by Liz Carey

Ace of spades playing card amongst other cardsIn the competitive world of recruitment, the ability to identify and attract top talent can make or break a business. As recruiters, your success hinges on your ability to connect qualified candidates with the right opportunities. However, in order to truly excel in this field, it is essential to focus on marketing Most Placeable Candidates (MPCs). These individuals possess the skills, experience, and attitude that set them apart from the rest. By strategically targeting and promoting MPCs, you can elevate your business development efforts and achieve unparalleled results. Read the rest of this entry »


Recruiters: The Cupids of Hiring

by Liz Carey

Statue of Cupid shooting his arrow

As Valentine’s Day approaches, love is in the air. But for recruiters, the focus is on finding the perfect match between job seekers and employers. Just like Cupid, recruiters have the ability to bring two parties together in a way that can change their lives forever. In this blog post, we’ll explore how recruiters are like Cupid — the ultimate matchmaker — and why their role in matching jobs to candidates and candidates to jobs is so important.

  1. Understanding Compatibility

Just as Cupid has an innate understanding of what makes two people compatible, recruiters have an expert knowledge of what qualifications and skills make a candidate perfect for a particular job. They don’t just go through resumes and pick out anyone who looks good on paper; they take the time to understand what each employer needs in an employee and use that information to find someone who is not only qualified but also fits well with the company culture.

  1. Making Introductions

Once a recruiter has identified a qualified candidate who would be a good fit for a particular job opening, they don’t hesitate to make introductions between the candidate and the employer. This is where their skills as a matchmaker really come into play – they know how to sell both sides on why they’re each perfect for one another. They highlight the candidate’s strengths and show how those strengths align with the employer’s needs.

  1. Overcoming Obstacles

Just like in any romantic relationship, there can be obstacles that stand in the way of making a successful match between a candidate and an employer. It could be anything from salary negotiations to scheduling conflicts or even personality clashes between team members. Recruiters have experience navigating these challenges and finding creative solutions that benefit everyone involved.

  1. Building Long-Term Relationships

Cupid doesn’t just fire off arrows willy-nilly; he takes the time to carefully consider each match and ensure that it has the potential for longevity. Similarly, recruiters don’t just place a candidate in a job and move on to the next one. They take the time to build relationships with both the candidate and employer, ensuring that everyone is happy with the match and that it has long-term potential.

  1. Spreading The Love

Finally, just as Cupid spreads love wherever he goes, recruiters are constantly networking and building connections within their industry. They attend conferences, join professional organizations, and stay up-to-date on all of the latest trends in recruitment. This allows them to keep making successful matches between candidates and employers – spreading positivity and success wherever they go.

In conclusion, recruiters truly are the ultimate matchmaker – bringing together two halves to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Just as Cupid understands what makes two people compatible, recruiters understand what qualifications make a candidate perfect for a particular job. They make introductions between candidates and employers while overcoming obstacles that might stand in their way. Recruiters also build long-term relationships with those they work with while constantly striving to spread positivity throughout their industry by networking at every opportunity. So this Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate our favorite matchmakers – recruiters.


Benefits of Attending Professional Recruitment Conferences

by Veronica Blatt

montage of attendees from NPAworldwide professional recruitment conferencesProfessional recruitment conferences offer a host of benefits to attendees and are an important opportunity for training and development. We’re getting into the thick of our conference planning for 2024, and here are some of the main reasons members cite as reasons for attending in-person events.

Networking—Year after year, networking ranks as one of the top, if not the main, reasons for attending professional recruitment conferences. This can come from meeting other like-minded professionals in your practice area. It can mean meeting speakers or service providers and bringing those resources into your office for your whole team. It can mean getting to know the staff of the hosting organization and how that can lead to future business opportunities. We’ve seen speakers gain new business by talking with sponsors about other events. We’ve seen service providers create business opportunities among each other. And we’ve seen personal and professional relationships that have blossomed into lifelong friendships as well. Read the rest of this entry »


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