Though attitudes were cautiously optimistic at this time last year, a look back at the past 12 months shows that 2010 simply did not hold the economic recovery so many of us had hoped for Unemployment continued to stay at record-high levels; many companies enacted lengthy hiring freezes, while others had to enforce additional layoffs

Too often, many of us end up hiring the candidate who's best at the interview, but may not be best at the job We tend to rely heavily on instinct and good first impressions, and favor candidates who give us the smoothest, most polished answers

E-Verify, the Department of Homeland Security's online system for determining an employee's eligibility to work in the United States, is a technology designed to protect employers from unwittingly hiring ineligible employees; a mistake which can result in hefty penalties and serious legal ramifications

As the saying goes, "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression" The impressions formed by both the employer and the new hire on the first day of work can have a lasting impact

In the midst of a shrinking job market flooded with applicants who are growing increasingly desperate for employment, sorting through potential candidates to find those who are truly qualified for the positions they're seeking is becoming a more complex job for many recruiters, especially those looking to fill highly specialized positions that demand relevant industry experience