It never ceases to amaze me at how much I can learn from conversation with others. Think of all the times you saved yourself a trip or hours of misdirected research just by talking to someone who was able to give you the right answer for your situation or challenge.

If you happen to be looking for a career in your community or searching for the right person for your business, try talking to the right people first. Just like a real estate agent can tell you where the best homes are based on your preferences, a top notch employment recruiter can help to connect people with the positions and companies that match their professional and personal goals.

As a former recruiter for one of America’s top employment recruitment firms, I can tell you that working with a recruiter can save you a lot of the frustration associated with a career search.

Remember most career positions are not publicly posted.

Important facts for job searchers and small business owners:

• The workplace is aging
• Skilled baby boomers are retiring
• To succeed employers need experienced and knowledgeable workers and they don’t have the time for long searches
• Employment recruiters are not just for CEO positions – they are ideal for workers with experience and the skills that reflect today’s high tech environment. For example: If you have social networking experience, knowledge and ideas there are many firms interested in what you may have to say and offer…

Don’t do your employment or candidate search alone – contact a reputable recruiter. There is no cost to you if you are a candidate.

For employers, the nominal fee you are required to pay may end up being one of your best investments. Professional recruiters provide current and informed advice – just like any other trained adviser. Can you really afford the risk of hiring the wrong person? Reputable firms also offer exceptional guarantees so if the match doesn’t work you have choices from getting your money back to looking at other candidates.

Following is a brief list of some of top employment recruiters and also employment agencies in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.:

www.adecco.com – with over 7,000 offices Adecco has an extensive network placing people in all kinds of jobs from warehouse positions to marketing to high finance.

www.agencycentral.co.uk – for those of you interested in working the UK.

www.bernhart.com – senior level positions in direct marketing employment.

www.marketingtalentnetwork.com – this firm (The Cambridge Group) is based in Kansas and specializes in finding candidates for consumer product companies and small entrepreneurial firms. If you’re a small business in need of employees look here…

www.heidrick.com – Heidrick & Struggles (Worldwide) is one of the leading search firms in the world. They specialize in top management positions in advertising, communications, consumer goods and media and entertainment.

www.mrinetwork.com – Management Recruiters International is one of the largest recruitment firms in the world covering everything from contract office staffing to top management positions. I worked here as a recruiter at the beginning of my career. They are located in almost every major city and region of the United States.