You don't have to tell Karen Russo of the Cos Cob section of Greenwich that America's business climate has changed and continues to change - she already knows.

Russo has been in the recruiting industry for 22 years and has seen it become more than just finding someone a job. Russo said that recruiting now is often about locating new opportunities for people with existing jobs - employees who like their work but may have an itch for something more. "Someone might say, ‘I'm not actively looking and I'm happy where I am, but if something like this comes up, could you please reach out to me,' " said Russo, president and chief talent officer of K. Russo Associates in Stamford. Securing a better salary may be one thing a potentially restless job candidate is looking at, but workers also may want flexible schedules, more vacation time and to work from home. Russo said more companies are becoming more responsive those needs, especially being flexible about an employee's work location. "If you have a computer, a cell phone and BlackBerry, you're ready to go. It makes sense, we have all of this technology, why not use it?" she said. People still seek full-time placement, but contract jobs are an area that Russo has been developing. Contract jobs might last for just a few months, but are well-suited for those seeking a better "work-life balance," she said. "People don't want to work 24-7 anymore, so contract work affords that flexibility. The client can get a good skill that they might not have gotten if they hired someone full time," she said. "Clients are seeing this as an alternative work force that companies need to tap into," Russo said.

Russo's firm specializes in finding executive talent for human resources positions. She believes that HR influences corporate culture and affects a company's productivity. K. Russo Associates also provides placement in corporate communications and marketing roles in industries such as high technology, nonprofits, hedge funds, hospitals and consumer products. Diageo, Avon, NBC and Pernod Ricard are a few of the firm's clients. The firm works with national clients, but most of its placements are in the tri-state area.

K. Russo Associates has earned its good reputation in the industry, said Scott Scanlon, chairman and chief executive officer of Hunt-Scanlon Advisors in Stamford, a market-research firm and information provider to the recruitment industry. "Ten years is terrific. She is well-received by her clients, and she has been creative with her business. A lot of firms her size went out of business post-9/11," Scanlon said. But the executive search business has grown 20 percent over past three years, and Scanlon said he sees that growth trend continuing. Many have branched out to offer additional services. Russo hopes to develop her firm's consulting services and offer strategy practices that work to retain personnel. "The expansion of services is giving firms more points of entry, like some offer career coaching," Scanlon said. "I think the small firms that have done well specialize in certain areas like financial services or technology. The large firms who are adding specialty areas are also doing well."

K. Russo Associates employs four full-time and three part-time staff. The company hopes to open an office in New York City. The firm generally works with individuals that have between eight and 20 years' experience, Russo said.