Dartmouth resident Karen Enroth has always had a knack for helping folks find a place that best suits them. And for the past 25 years, it’s been her life’s work.

In 1997, Enroth decided to work at the former Lockheed Martin facility in Marion when someone told her to apply at Spherion Staffing and Recruiting company on Faunce Corner Road.

Now she owns the company. 

“And I've been doing it ever since, and I love it,” she said with a smile.

What appealed to her about the job, she said, was how it let her connect with others and “be in the know” with the way things are trending.

“And this is the industry where I can do just that,” she said.

Enroth first began “on the desk,” filling out client orders and working to recruit potential employees. She then worked her way up to handle sales and account management, then becoming the owner.

Along with a love of the job, Enroth credits her staff for being able to keep things running for the past quarter century.

“I couldn't have done it this long without them,” she said with a smile.

A lot has changed in the industry over the years, Enroth said.

She noted that the company used to run a career fair that would have lines of up to 100 people waiting to get in.

“I can remember having a fair with a client company that had a literal mile of people,” she said. “Now we do ‘walk-in Wednesdays’ and will have just one person show up. It’s really changed.”

To adapt to this modern landscape, Enroth said she and her team have shifted more toward helping employers find the best way to attract laborers. In today’s landscape, she said the biggest draw for any employer is offering competitive wages.

“You can’t pay minimum wage anymore to attract a candidate with halfway decent skills,” she said, noting that service jobs like Dunkin’ and Starbucks pay more with tips to attract new workers. “And that’s what you’re competing with.”

There’s also been a big shift in which clients Enroth helps out. At first, she said the primary industries she helped were banking and health care. Today, it’s primarily with manufacturers.

“It’s hot, hot, hot,” she said.

Still, there are some tactics that prove true even in this new labor market: word of mouth referrals.

“That hasn’t changed,” Enroth said. “It’s the tried and true core of how you get good people — nine out of ten times, you’re going to refer a great candidate.” 

The other constant over the past 25 years: satisfaction from helping her clients fill an order.

“They're coming to you for help and you’re giving them exactly what they’re looking for,” Enroth said.