This paper presents the recruiting trends for 2008-2009. This year's report is based on 945 respondents, including 57 K-12 schools. The researchers continued their focus on fast-growth small companies and expended most of their energy in retaining their sample distribution, knowing that the prevailing economic situation would reduce responses. They tapped into employers who recruit heavily on campuses, receiving assistance from an expanded pool of university sponsors strategically located around the country. Despite turbulent headwinds blustering in the fall of 2007, employers counted up impressive hiring numbers during the 2007-2008 academic year. With a demographic profile tilted in favor of young college workers, a down-turn in the economy was only expected to mute hiring expectations for the foreseeable future. Instead, the economy completely derailed. No sector illustrates this more than retail. During the hiring surge between 2004 and 2008, retail led the way, averaging more than 70 hires per company. Today, they are in retreat, hiring only 14 individuals per company. Employers remain active on campus but have shifted their focus from on-campus recruiting to career fairs and to the expansion of their internship and co-op programs. They are doing more direct one-stop activities to brand their companies and engage students. This shift is driven by cost considerations and a sense of urgency to complete hiring as quickly as possible. Companies are using internship programs to create a pool of talent that may be converted into full-time hires when conditions improve. Fewer opportunities will be available to students in the spring. For those students who have not initiated their job search or even framed their employment expectations, a call to urgency is warranted. Employers are turning to professional web-based networking groups and college faculty identify the talent they seek. Starting salaries will change little from last year as 66% of respondents expect to hold salaries steady. Students will have to be patient and persistent to find success in this market. [This paper was prepared by the Michigan State University Career Services Network in partnership with MonsterTRAK and Monster Intelligence. For "Recruiting Trends, 2007-2008", see ED512841.]