Recruiters that did not cut headcount excessively in the downturn are reaping the rewards as the economy picks up, according to Ruth Moran, director at rec-to-rec firm Ruth Moran Consulting.

Moran told Recruiter: “The last recession has been an important learning curve. We invested right through the recession and it paid off. When times are difficult, if you cut back too much then you will struggle.

“If you take experienced hires in difficult times, you maximise your business. One of our clients heavily recruited in the recession because they knew there would be talent on the market and they have come out of the recession so strong and are flying.

“I’m not saying all firms can do that and sometimes cash flow is an issue but I think the lesson is don’t cut back too much because you will end up in a tricky situation.”

For more from Moran, see Recruiter’s Rec-to-Rec Sector Analysis in the latest issue of Recruiter, out today.