Hearing that the FOX network may announce on May 17 that it is recruiting Conan O’Brien (who famously severed ties with former employer NBC recently) for a new TV gig perked our ears over here at The Hiring Site for two reasons…

One, we’ve been going through serious “Celebrity Secrets” withdrawal, and two (because we always have talent recruitment on the brain…don’t be jealous), FOX’s move actually mirrors two current recruiting trends, which, just for a little hump-day fun, I thought I’d point out…

1. Recruiting Candidates Going Through Career Transitions: Of course, while Conan’s departure from NBC wasn’t exactly a layoff, it was a case of NBC failing to recognize a good thing while it had it find the right fit for someone with Conan’s skills. By jumping on the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the newly unemployed Conan, FOX seems to be going the same route as many employers and recruiters lately and sourcing talent that other companies were forced to let go.  While it might not be as simple as picking up the latest issue of Variety to find that a coveted candidate is suddenly available, many recruiters have found luck by going to outplacement firms to look for quality candidates with real-world work experience and transferable skills who are making the transition to new jobs or careers.
2. Rehiring Former Employees: Perhaps taking a cue from the increasing number of employers who are finding that their best new hires are former employees,  FOX is considering rehiring a former employee of its own: Conan used to write for the network’s award-winning show, “The Simpsons.” Seems there’s something to be said about not burning bridges with your former employees – without the need for introductions, it sure makes reconnecting that much easier.  Not only that, but having worked together before, the employee needs little to no training or orientation back into his or her role and the company’s culture.

It would be no surprise to see Conan thrive in a position at FOX, considering the success many employers and recruiters have found using these recruiting tactics.  Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. (May 17, y’all!)

Post update: On April 12, it was announced that Conan O’Brien signed a deal with cable network TBS instead. Find out how TBS leveraged its own recruiting strategy to snag Conan here….