Mastering the Art of Employer Branding

by Liz Carey

Samples of colors in a book and on a tablet in branding exerciseWhen was the last time you evaluated your client’s approach to employer branding? For independent recruiters, understanding and teaching clients about employer branding is vital. It goes beyond filling roles; it’s about empowering businesses to attract top talent effortlessly. If you’re a recruiter looking to add more value to your services, helping your clients strengthen their employer brand can set you apart.

Employer branding isn’t just an HR buzzword. It is a strategic practice with measurable impact on recruitment success and retention rates. Whether your client is a startup or a growing company, their employer brand can make or break their ability to hire great candidates. This blog will explore what employer branding entails, why it’s essential, and how independent recruiters can teach their clients the importance of building one. Read the rest of this entry »


Introducing NPAworldwide PowerUp Conferences

by Veronica Blatt

Our recent rebranding included a desire to unite our four primary conferences under a single banner that also ties to our new tagline Placing People Together. We are proud to introduce NPAworldwide PowerUp, our premier global conference designed exclusively for independent recruiting firms. This event is an exceptional opportunity to advance your skills, grow your network, and stay ahead in the competitive recruiting industry. Read the rest of this entry »


What Are Soft Skills and Why Are They Crucial for Career Growth?

by Veronica Blatt

When considering what makes a successful professional, technical expertise often comes to mind first. However, success in the workplace requires more than just technical know-how. Enter soft skills. These are the personal attributes, behaviors, and interpersonal abilities that help you effectively interact, collaborate, and communicate with others. While hard skills relate to your technical and job-specific abilities, soft skills define how you approach work and relationships. Read the rest of this entry »


Building Trust in a Recruitment Network

by Liz Carey

four hands gripping each other in trustTrust is the foundation of every successful partnership, and in a network of independent executive recruiters, it’s critical. For recruiters working on split placements, trust is not just a virtue; it’s the key to efficient and fruitful collaborations. When mutual respect and reliability are established, placements happen faster, clients are more satisfied, and both parties thrive. But what does it take to cultivate trust within a recruitment network? Below, we’ll discuss its importance, common challenges, and proven best practices to build trust and create lasting partnerships in split placements.

Why Trust is Crucial in Split Placements

Split placements are built on teamwork. Typically, one recruiter works directly with the client, while the other sources top-tier candidates. While this process can offer significant benefits like expanded resources and shared expertise, it demands a high degree of trust between partners.

Trust ensures both parties feel confident sharing candidate and client details, meeting deadlines, and honoring agreements. It creates a safe, productive environment where recruiters can focus on delivering results rather than second-guessing their partner. Conversely, a lack of trust leads to breakdowns in communication, misplaced priorities, and missed opportunities for success.

Put simply, trust transforms split placements from transactional exchanges into collaborative achievements. Read the rest of this entry »


The Most In-Demand Sales and Marketing Jobs in 2025

by Veronica Blatt

The demand for top-tier professionals in sales and marketing jobs is projected to reach new heights this year. For recruiters, this presents a prime opportunity to tap into an expanding talent pool while responding to the evolving demands of global industries. From analytical marketing specialists to highly adaptable sales experts, these roles are redefining the way businesses connect with customers. Read the rest of this entry »


Recruiting for Legal Jobs? Here are the Opportunities in 2025.

by Veronica Blatt

The landscape of legal jobs is set to experience significant shifts in 2025, driven by technological innovation, evolving business models, and a heightened focus on specialized expertise. For recruiters, understanding where the strongest hiring opportunities lie is critical to attracting top candidates in this competitive field. Drawing insights from key industry reports, here’s a global perspective on the hiring trends shaping the legal profession. Read the rest of this entry »


Staying Relevant: Upskilling and Reskilling in a Rapidly-Changing Market

by Kerry Crockett

Upskilling and reskilling have become essential strategies for both employees and employers to stay relevant and competitive. Technological advancements, shifting industry demands, and evolving job roles require continuous learning and adaptation. By investing in upskilling and reskilling, individuals can enhance their employability, and organizations can ensure they have the talent needed to meet future challenges. Read the rest of this entry »


The Importance of Attending Networking Events

by Liz Carey

A group of recruiters during a practice group breakout session at NPAworldwide's Global conference, one of its many networking eventsWhen was the last time you attended an in-person recruitment networking event? For many recruiters, the answer might be “It’s been a while.” Between the growing reliance on technology and the convenience of virtual meetings, the importance of face-to-face networking events can sometimes be underestimated. Read the rest of this entry »


Beyond the Resume: Hiring for Critical Capabilities

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 past chairman of the NPAworldwide Board of Directors. In this post, Bill shares how organizations are shifting to a hiring approach focused on critical capabilities, prioritizing skills and adaptability over traditional credentials to build future-ready teams.

A key talent trend in 2025 relates to adjusting the long-standing hiring rubric. Large corporations, banks, and law firms have heavily relied on resumes that combine a degree from a respected university with aligning experience from a competitor or a characteristically similar environment. This hiring approach based on education, title, and specific company experience provided a tangible profile for recruiters to target, and it generally produced quality candidates. This begs the question… does similar or parallel experience ensure effective performance? I would argue this is not always the case. Other factors, including motivation, drive, soft skills, and cultural fit, often have a greater impact on performance. Read the rest of this entry »


Chemical Industry Hiring in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

by Veronica Blatt

The chemical process industry is undergoing a complex transformation in 2025, shaped by innovation, sustainability demands, and shifting global dynamics. For independent recruiters, staying ahead of these changes is essential to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities. Here’s a closer look at the hiring landscape, highlighting key trends, challenges, and actionable strategies for success. Read the rest of this entry »


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