Recruiting Resources

5 Manufacturing Trends Recruiters Must Watch in 2026

by Liz Carey

image of a manufacturing worker welding metal accompanied by sparks and smokeThe domestic manufacturing sector is poised for a fascinating year. Shifting macroeconomic currents and policy changes are set to reshape the landscape, and for independent recruiters, this means one thing: opportunity.

Are you ready to place talent in a sector that is primed for a rebound? As we step into the new year, several key trends will dictate where the hiring demand lies. Will the burgeoning AI sector squeeze the talent pool? Will the quiet boom in factory construction translate into actual job orders? We have analyzed the landscape to help you prepare your recruitment strategy.

Here are five manufacturing trends you need to watch in 2026 to stay ahead of the curve. Read the rest of this entry »


Independent Recruiter Blog: Our Most-Read Posts of 2025

by Veronica Blatt

Young woman holding a cup of coffee and reading on a tabletWhile our offices take a brief pause for the holiday season, the demands of the recruitment industry continue. If you are using this time to catch up on essential reading, we have compiled the critical data you need to start 2026 on strong footing.

This summary highlights our five most-read discussions from 2025. From navigating sophisticated fraud to understanding market shifts, these posts offer vital intelligence for the modern independent recruiter. Read the rest of this entry »


What Do Recruitment Firms Need to Know About GEO?

by Veronica Blatt

Close-up of two hands holding a cell phone and using ChatGPTIf you’re in charge of your business website, have you noticed a decrease in site visits? We have. Chatting with our development team, I learned we are not alone. Other sites, including Wikipedia and Microsoft, are also seeing huge dropoffs in site visitors – and they are major players. What’s behind this radical shift in behavior? If you said AI, you’re on the right track. It’s Generative Engine Optimization, GEO. Most of us have spent time learning about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but the new piece of the puzzle—GEO—is just as important. Knowing the difference, and using both effectively, is how you hold onto your audience and keep your business growing.

What’s the difference between SEO and GEO, and why should you—someone running a recruitment firm—care about it? Read the rest of this entry »


What happens when your split placement falls apart?

by Veronica Blatt

In a perfect world, every split placement ends with a happy candidate, a client who pays on time, and two recruitment partners sharing a fee. But what happens when a placement goes wrong?

Here are a few common scenarios where a split placement can fall apart:

  • The “no-start”: The candidate backs out before their first day.
  • Replacement guarantee: The candidate quits or is fired before the guarantee period ends, and a replacement is required.
  • Money-back guarantee: The candidate leaves before the guarantee period is over, and the fee must be returned to the client.
  • Guarantee extension: The candidate leaves after the guarantee period, but the job recruiter offers the client an extension as a goodwill gesture.

Let’s break down what happens in each of these situations. Read the rest of this entry »


How to Improve Your Executive Search Process

by Liz Carey

several hands work on plans and post-it notes on a work deskThe executive search landscape is more competitive than ever. Attracting and placing top-tier leadership talent requires more than just a good database and a strong network. It demands a refined, strategic, and human-centric approach. If you’re asking, “How can we improve our executive search process?” you’re already on the right path. Continuous improvement is the hallmark of a successful recruitment firm.

This guide provides actionable strategies to elevate your executive search methods. We will explore how to integrate technology effectively, build lasting candidate relationships, and sharpen your outreach and evaluation techniques. By refining these key areas, you can deliver superior results for your clients and become a trusted partner to high-caliber executives. Read the rest of this entry »


AI in Recruitment: Navigating New Challenges and Candidate Tactics

by Liz Carey

Image of a man looking at his cell phoneArtificial intelligence is transforming today’s recruitment process, not just for recruiters—but for candidates and clients as well. From AI-generated resumes to automated interview prep and even real-time “cheating” during interviews, the opportunities and risks are growing. Understanding how AI is being used (and sometimes misused) on both sides of the hiring table is key to maintaining fairness, integrity, and success as a recruiter.

Let’s explore the emerging trends, the potential pitfalls, and proactive strategies you can implement to stay ahead. Read the rest of this entry »


AI for Small Recruitment Firms: A Business Development Edge

by Veronica Blatt

For owners of small recruitment firms, business development is the engine of growth. It’s the constant effort of finding new clients, nurturing relationships, and staying ahead of market trends. But what if you could supercharge that engine? Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept for large corporations; it’s a practical tool that can give your small agency a significant competitive advantage in business development.

Integrating AI isn’t about replacing the human touch that defines great recruiting. Instead, it’s about augmenting your expertise. How can you leverage AI to win more business? Let’s examine how this technology can transform your lead generation, client management, and market intelligence efforts. Read the rest of this entry »


The State of Healthcare Recruitment

by Liz Carey

Image of healthcare professionals in scrubs and lab coats in a tech-focused virtual room with screensThe healthcare landscape is in constant motion, and for independent recruiters, staying ahead of the curve is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. As we near the end of the third quarter of 2025, the industry presents a unique mix of persistent challenges and powerful opportunities. The demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to outpace supply, creating a highly competitive market. In NPAworldwide, our healthcare recruiters are looking for help on more than 100 healthcare jobs posted to our internal marketplace.  For the savvy recruiter, the healthcare recruitment environment is ripe for making a significant impact.

This article will guide you through the state of healthcare recruitment in 2025. We will explore the dominant trends, from the rise of telehealth to the need for hyper-specialized talent. More importantly, we will provide you with actionable strategies to find, engage, and place top candidates, ensuring you can thrive in this dynamic field. Read the rest of this entry »


The New Gold Standard: Why Quality of Hire Beats Speed

by Liz Carey

Image of a race track with runners competing in their lanesThe race for talent has shifted gears. For a long time, the prevailing wisdom in recruiting was to fill open positions as quickly as possible. Speed was the primary metric of success. However, a significant transformation is underway. Organizations are now recognizing that the long-term value of a great employee far outweighs the short-term win of a rapid hire. This pivot from speed to quality of hire is not just a trend; it’s a strategic business imperative.

Volatile business conditions demand a workforce that is not just capable, but also adaptable and resilient. The “Great Reshuffle” of recent years saw many companies prioritize quick fills to keep operations running, often at the expense of thoughtful decision-making. Now, as hiring slows and every new team member represents a significant investment, the focus has swung back to quality. This post will explore why quality of hire has become the new benchmark for success, the challenges in measuring it, and the strategies your firm can adopt to attract and retain top-tier talent. Read the rest of this entry »


Maximizing Profitability: Key Metrics Every Recruitment Firm Owner Should Track

by Veronica Blatt

Are you tracking the right numbers to guarantee your firm’s growth and profitability? Intuition and experience are valuable, but data-driven decisions are what separate good firms from great ones. By focusing on a handful of key performance indicators (KPIs), you can gain a clear picture of your business’s health, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately, maximize your bottom line. Here are some essential metrics every recruitment firm owner should be tracking. Read the rest of this entry »


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