With some 3 million people laid off in the last decade, you may be evaluating more candidates who are re-entering the workforce. But, how do you identify a "re-careerist" who is actually a motivated, well-prepared individual with the skills to measurably contribute to your company?

"Hiring has gotten more complex. Mass layoffs swept out many talented persons along with others who were contributing less. Now, with a tight labor market, good candidates may be getting multiple offers, so you have to be more decisive," said Rick Kean, Executive Vice President of Dunhill Staffing Systems, Inc., who points out that in some job categories, more than 50% of offers are declined.

"More companies, especially those that are shifting direction, are turning to Dunhill to help them plan their staffing needs and to identify and qualify candidates who will be top performers."

While companies have become more competitive by "re-organizing, re-engineering and re-locating," says Kean, many workers are "re-careering." This not only involves finding a new job, but also learning new skills and a new mindset to succeed in a workplace that is expanding one moment and contracting the next. Re-careerists -- from managers to support personnel -- may offer some key advantages that are important in a fast-changing workplace, such as: