What is your plan for increasing revenue next year? It’s been a difficult year for many small recruitment firms. Trade policy has been all over the board. Jobs have been on hold. Layoffs are increasing, but candidates are still scarce. Tariffs are disrupting supply chains and manufacturing. Changes to visas make it harder to employ foreign workers. While we’re seeing some signs of improvements, it’s like to still be somewhat bumpy at least in the early part of next year as well. On the cusp of our 70th birthday year, NPAworldwide can confidently say that split placements remain a great option for recruitment firms to diversify their businesses and increase revenue. Read the rest of this entry »
How Can Split Placements Benefit Recruiters?
by Veronica BlattHiring in 2026: Balancing Cost, Capability, and Culture
by Veronica Blatt
Today’s guest blogger is Bill Benson with WilliamCharles Search Group located in Grand Rapids, MI and Pittsburgh, PA. WilliamCharles is an executive search and professional recruiting firm specialized in finding managerial and executive talent in finance, HR, operations, sales/marketing as well as president/CEO roles. They have a concentration of clients in Michigan, but they also work across the US. Bill is a former chair of the NPAworldwide board of directors. Bill’s post discusses strategic hiring plans for the next year.
As we approach 2026, hiring leaders are facing more complexity than ever before. Talent shortages persist in critical functions. Salary expectations remain high. Skill needs are evolving and cultural alignment, once viewed as a “nice to have,” is now a top priority.
For executives and HR leaders in mid-sized and family-owned businesses, hiring decisions are no longer just transactional; they are strategic inflection points. Read the rest of this entry »
Building Long-Term Relationships with Clients and Candidates
by Veronica Blatt
In the recruitment industry, success is not just about making placements. It’s about building lasting partnerships. For boutique agencies, the ability to foster long-term relationships with both clients and candidates is a powerful differentiator. Trust and loyalty are the cornerstones of this approach, transforming one-time transactions into sustained success. How can you cultivate these essential connections? Both trust and loyalty are increasing in importance as AI takes on a larger role. Read the rest of this entry »
AI in Recruitment: Navigating New Challenges and Candidate Tactics
by Liz Carey
Artificial 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 »
Why True Recruiter-Client Partnerships Drive the Best Hiring Outcomes
by Veronica Blatt
Today’s guest blogger is Phil Chappel with P. Chappel Associates, a professional recruiting firm based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Specializing in engineering, management, sales, marketing, and support in the technology space, P. Chappel Associates was established in 1996. Clients are located throughout the United States, with concentration on the east and west coasts. Several clients are expanding worldwide. Phil is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors. He shares his secret to success in recruitment below.
Finding and securing top performers requires more than simply posting a job and reviewing resumes. The most successful hiring outcomes happen when a recruiter and client company establish a true partnership—one built on collaboration, transparency, and shared goals. Read the rest of this entry »
Creating a Professional Online Portfolio
by Kerry Crockett
When it comes to making a lasting impression in today’s job market, a well-crafted resume is just the starting point. If you want to stand out, especially in competitive or creative industries, a professional online portfolio can tip the scales in your favor. It’s not just for designers and developers—marketers, writers, recruiters, analysts, and even project managers are building digital showcases of their work. 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 »
Federal Layoffs: A New Talent Pool for Recruiters
by Liz Carey
Government shutdowns and reductions in force (RIFs) are creating a unique shift in the talent landscape. An increasing number of federal workers, facing uncertainty, are now exploring opportunities in the private sector. Real-time data shows a significant spike in job application activity from this demographic, presenting a new and valuable talent pool for savvy recruiters. Are you prepared to engage these highly skilled professionals?
This influx of federal talent is not a temporary trend but a strategic opportunity. For recruiters who can adapt their approach, this shift offers a chance to secure experienced, reliable, and skilled candidates. This article will explore how you can effectively attract and integrate these professionals into your organization. Read the rest of this entry »
Q4 Employment Outlook Shrinks
by Veronica Blatt
Manpower Group has released its quarterly employment outlook survey for the upcoming quarter (Oct-Dec 2025). While the net global outlook remains positive (+23%), it has declined slightly when compared to both the previous quarter and the previous year. This is a comprehensive global survey, with more than 40,000 employers in 40 different countries participating. Read the rest of this entry »
AI in Recruitment & Search: Sharpening the Tools, Not Replacing the Craft
by Veronica Blatt
Our guest blogger is Andrew Thoseby of 1st Executive Pty Ltd in Melbourne, Australia. 1st Executive is a boutique executive search, executive recruitment, interim executive and advisory firm providing custom designed people solutions for clients across a broad spectrum of industries on a local, regional, national and international basis. The firm’s recruiting activities are focused on executive, professional, technical and managerial placement for its clients. 1st Executive includes a growing interim management service in its business mix and has successfully placed interim CEOs, CFOs, sales and operational executives. Andrew is currently a member of the NPAworldwide Board of Directors.
Throughout history, new tools have often been seen as threats. The typewriter was meant to end handwriting, and the calculator to eliminate the need for arithmetic. Today, artificial intelligence—whether generative or the newer agentic AI—is said by some to herald the decline of recruitment and executive search. The reality is more measured: AI is not replacing the consultant; it is sharpening the tools they use. Read the rest of this entry »