Like anything else, recruiting has its fair share of trends and fads. If you're a professional recruiter or simply an employer who is interested in the services that an executive recruitment agency can offer, you may be interested to know which way the recruitment market is currently trending. How are issues like the faltering global economy and the ever-growing popularity of the Internet affecting professional recruiters? What do these changes mean for the job market - and, more importantly, for the future of your company and its executive-level positions?

One of the most notable trends in recruiting right now is the apparent decline of the job board. Job boards have been one of the best ways to find new talent for your company for years; now, however, many employers are noting that they plan to decrease their spending (and, in turn, their presence) on these employment websites. Why? Quite simply, the boards have been flooded by job seekers and their resumes, and many recruiters feel that it's too difficult to sift through all of the possibilities to find the most promising leads. A great prospect on a job board has been the proverbial needle in a haystack!

Instead, many recruiters are turning to social recruiting, a hot new online employment trend. Any executive recruitment agency worth its salt is already well acquainted with the various social networking sites and how they can be used to fill positions, from entry- to executive-level. Social recruiting allows the employer to get a better picture of the prospect's personality and his or her work history as a whole, rather than focusing on mere words on a page.

Finally, many recruiters are citing the popularity of cultural compatibility as a factor in hiring. Gone are the days when a man or woman could count on their resume or copious work experience guaranteeing a job offer; now, employers want new hires who share their values, ambitions and the general demeanor of the company at large. Choosing a candidate who is culturally compatible makes the transition easier - and more prosperous - for everyone involved.