Post-9/11 Recruiting

Letter to the Editor, We Must Keep Doors Open For Those Out of Work

Letter to the Editor, Trying to Help By Doing What We Know Best

 A couple of weeks after the events of Sept. 11, I sent an e-mail to some people in the travel industry - offering whatever help my company and I could provide.
  I knew it was a sensitive time to contact people because there are those within this industry who have suffered personal losses, and many travel organizations that are struggling.
  But I knew there would be many companies that most likely could survive, and, based on my previous experiences during the[Persian] Gulf War, would need someone to help them with crisis management.
  I also was aware that there would be a lot of people who would, unfortunately, be looking for a new job with all the reorganizing and layoffs reported.
  It was my hope that we could be of assistance there, also.
  Almost all of the travel companies we contacted realized we were not trying to be opportunistic during these trying times and responded positively.
  We did, however, also receive a couple of negative messages that in essence said "shame on us" for taking advantage of the situation.
  To those I commented back that like many other people at this time, we were trying to help - and the only way I could do this was to offer what we know how to do best.
  We're not located in New York; I'm not a firefighter or someone who knows how to deal with the devastation there.
  What I do know is the travel industry. I've been in it for almost 40 years. I didn't know another viable alternative - but I didn't think letting this horrible situation put us all out of work so we can't support our families is the answer - and I wanted to help where I could.
  We have been contacted for help in both crisis-management situations and to help people find jobs and have not taken any payment from anybody for our activities on their behalf.
  Please forgive us if we offended anyone. That was so very far from our intention.

Karen Rothe Osband is the founder and owner of SYSTEMETHODS, a travel industry consulting and executive search firm located in Littleton, CO. She can be reached at (303) 948-8084 or (877) 802-5584,
and email KROsband@SYSTEMETHODS.com.

Letter to the Editor, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

Can you keep a secret?

Still Time to Take Action

KO'ing Kooky Candidates

Knowing When to Say 'No'

Focus on Recruiting, Part Two

Defending Recruiting, Part One

Hiring: Seeing the Potential

Filling a Job: Experience Counts