The article focuses on the U.S. mortgage crisis which began in 2007 and how it has created a hiring and placement gridlock among professionals and executives within the housing sector. The author notes that the poor housing market has forced job candidates to reconsider career changes and companies to reevaluate talent planning efforts. According to the managing principal of the Avery Point Group, Tim Noble, applicants who had initially accepted relocation may opt to postpone a career change or look locally for opportunities.