The Return of Hope

Remember all those t-shirts and bumper stickers that had Obama’s face and simply said the word “Hope?” One might say he was elected because of that one word or emotion. Considering the state of our stock market, real estate and job markets at the time of the election, it made sense to elect the candidate that gave us the most hope. What happened to all that hope?

Since the end of 2007, all too often as I speak to hiring managers and job seekers the feeling I have come away with is hopelessness. I’ve heard many grown men and women on the verge of tears, and yet even more who seemed completely defeated. Recently while working on a search for a Manufacturing Manager, people have explained that the company for which they are working laid off their entire department. The explanation? They are moving manufacturing to another country. Those conversations happen too often, and they have a negative effect on me. But one day last week I turned on the TV, which automatically starts on “New York 1,” the 24 hour New York news network. Obama was giving a speech. And then it happened: the return of hope J. Click here and restore yours http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihy31LfIK90 . Let’s hope for all of our sake that Obama gets his way and our jobs come home to America.

What's there to be Thankful about during a Recession?

What’s there to be Thankful about during a recession?

For starter’s Thanksgiving is an American Holiday and it is OK to wish someone a Happy Thanksgiving regardless of their religion or race; there is nothing offensive or politically incorrect about saying Happy Thanksgiving. In fact, in the last week many people have said “Have a Happy Holiday” to me and I found that to be somewhat insulting as a proud American.

Along those lines despite our current economic climate being an American is one thing to be thankful for, it is here in America that you could choose your profession; it is here in America that Obama proved no matter what your background is you can be anything you want to be. Be thankful for Obama for he was elected perhaps because, more than any other candidates from the primaries to November 4^th, Obama was the candidate not just for change but for hope and optimism. Obama was hired as our president because optimism was more important than any other prerequisite or anyone’s resume. IMHO he was hired because hope was the ultimate requirement for America.

Be thankful that you are an American, free to vote, free to demonstrate, free to bear arms, free to be whoever or whatever you want to be. And lastly, if you are a recruiter or salesperson in the search industry the next time you are in front of a client you may want to ask, “Mr. Client – if there was one thing, it could be a hard skill or an intangible – if there is one thing that you want in a candidate above everything else what would that be?” The answer may help you find your client’s next president!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Written by Dave Jacks - November 27, 2008 at 10:21 pm republished here to move from wordpress to blogger