We don’t know the ways of Hashem, but we do know that He gives us just what we need at exactly the time we need it

Stories that Uplift // Brachie Wolfson

Recruiters are the best and worst part of hiring.

They do their job well. They meet and vet prospective employees. They know their preferences, hours available, pay range. But they also have their fees, which are kind of steep. Think 15 percent of a yearly salary. Oh, and the employer pays the fee and the prospective employee has no real commitment, unless they like the job and stay on.

It’s a love-hate relationship here. Helps an awful lot, but very expensive for a small business.

So when we had an opening in the summer, we wanted to try to find a new secretary without having to pay the steep recruiter fees. We advertised, told everyone we know about the opening, offered a bonus to existing employees who’d recommend a good hire. We got nothing from the ads, and the word-of-mouth efforts didn’t bear fruit. We davened to find the right person fast. And we also called recruiters to step in. We needed it.

But even with the help of local recruiters, we didn’t get the results we wanted. It was the hardest time of the year work-wise. Summer — when the sun shines brightly, the pool beckons, and the children scamper about in the fresh country air — is the most challenging time as a mother juggling a job. Working remotely isn’t fun, and traveling in to keep tabs on the goings-on in the office is far from the dreamy summer vacation that keeps others waiting with anticipation all winter long. Add “hiring” to the list, and it’s more of a strain, but so long as my obligations include these kind of acrobatics and juggling, I try my best.

I was surprised, then, one morning to see my eleven-year-old dearest running, breathless, into the bungalow. Is the job still available, she inquired. I assured her that it was. She found someone for me, it seemed. Now this piqued my interest, and I asked her why she asked.

She said the play director had asked that they daven for a friend who needs a job.

My inquisitive young one wanted to know what kind of job she was looking for. An office job. Stimulating. In a kosher, frum, female environment. Spot on, she thought, and ran to me to confirm. I assured her that it all seemed fine, and she ran back to give my number to the play director’s friend.

We spoke and she came in for an interview with my partner. I met her a few days later. Long story short, she’s a valued employee, outstanding in her commitment and performance, and is everything we wanted for the job.

We don’t know the ways of Hashem, but we do know that He gives us just what we need at exactly the time we need it. One unlikely recruiter in the blink of an eye.