Help wanted. Apply in July.

The economic recovery is not going to be led by the President or by Congress. The recovery will be led by employers. By entrepreneurs who take the risks needed to innovate and grow and prosper. Right now, too many people are complaining about the banks and the tight credit market and the roller-coaster stock market. Too many employers have thrown in the towel, and have laid off half a million workers since Election Day in a desperate attempt to cut costs.

Employers, like almost everyone else, have focused too much on how to weather the recession and not enough on how to manage the recovery. Because the recovery will come. How are you going to get back to being an employer of choice when you laid off thousands of workers just months before?

It's time for employers to take a stand. Here's how to start:

Run a help-wanted ad. Not just a small classified ad in minuscule agate type. Instead, take out a display ad in your local paper — but not in the help-wanted section. Instead, choose Metro. Or Sports. Or even the weather page. (You should be able to negotiate a good price. The economy, you know.)

Put your company logo in it, large and in color. And write this:

HELP WANTED

We need motivated, professional workers to help our company grow in the upcoming economic recovery. Please apply in July, sending your résumé and cover letter to the address below. You can spend part of the next three months researching our company and making your submission perfect and unique. We can't wait to meet you!

Then watch as your company becomes one of the leaders of the recovery. People will talk. You might even find a need to hire sooner.