Hiring managers struggle to find employees, even as millions of jobs seekers are desperate for work.
By Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer
With job openings largely concentrated in specialized industries like healthcare, green technology and energy, some employers say the problem is finding qualified workers, which are in short supply. Meanwhile, they are inundated with eager candidates from other industries who lack the skills and experience that the job requires.
According to a recent survey by Human Capital Institute and TheLadders, more than half of employers said "quality of candidates" or "availability of candidates" are their greatest challenges -- despite the recession.
Mary Willoughby, the director of human resources at the Center for Disability Rights in Rochester, New York, has been trying to hire registered nurses, home health aides and service coordinators for several of the agencies that she oversees.
Many of the positions, which require specific skills and offer salaries in the range of $30,000 to $45,000, have been vacant for six months or longer.
The job postings, which appear on CareerBuilder, Craigslist and some regional sites, garner a lot of attention, she says. "We get tons of résumés from people. We are just not getting highly qualified candidates."
The problem, according to Willoughby, is that they are bombarded by résumés from job seekers without the two years or more of healthcare experience necessary. "We're seeing a lot of people trying to break into the healthcare arena," she said.
As a result, human resources spends too much time sifting through résumés for people who aren't remotely qualified, and can't find many that are. "We've gotten close to 300 résumés for a service coordinator position. Out of that we brought in four people," she said.
Those that didn't make the cut included someone with previous experience as an office clerk and a job applicant with a bachelor's in mathematics, currently employed at a café.
Willoughby recently instituted a hiring incentive program to encourage existing employees to refer viable candidates. Those responsible for bringing in new hires are eligible to receive $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the position. She has also added in a signing bonus for the new employees.
Things are even worse on the higher end of the pay scale. At wireless leasing firm, Unison Site, a position for director of lead generation, which pays $90,000-$140,000, has been open for three months, with no candidates in sight.
"With the job market the way it is, we should be able to recruit really good people and it hasn't worked quite as well as we wanted," said Joe Songer, co-founder and chief financial officer. "My problem is when I put an ad out I just get bombarded with people that aren't qualified."
They're hiring!
Typically, the jobs that are the hardest to fill are those that require unique or extensive work experience, according to management professor Peter Cappelli of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.
For job seekers, applying to those types of positions may be worth the off chance that one responds with a request for an interview. "They think, I've got nothing to lose," Cappelli said.
Recruiters recommend that job seekers create a targeted list of companies with a clear match to their background and tailor their experience to the job they are applying for, rather than blanketing all available job openings with the same résumé.
"Eighty percent of jobs are being obtained on personal referrals so candidates that are spending the bulk of their time sending their résumé out blindly are not being the most fruitful," said Carolyn Thompson, president of CMCS, a boutique staffing firm near Washington, D.C.
Thompson advises job seekers to network within those target companies, whether in person or through social networking sites.
Without a contact at the company, résumés should highlight and emphasize any relevant experience specific to the job opening, added Jennifer Becker, market director for Ajilon Professional Staffing. "You really want your résumé to very quickly and easily reflect your relevant skills and the value you can bring to the position."
"If the client has to look for it, you are probably going to get passed over."
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Nov 4th 2009 @ 7:51AM Clarissa
It's a catch 22. The state paid for my IT training because they get compliants that there are no candidates to fill available positions. I worked hard and becamed an MCP, but now I still can't find a job. Everyone wants experience and aren't willing to give me a chance. So, as far as I'm concerned the Employers are doing it to themselves. Can't buy Champange on a beer budget.
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Nov 5th 2009 @ 2:19PM Nanci
I agree, if someone doesn't take the time to give experience how will we ever get it???? I'm in the same situation, graduated top of my class, willing to start work at a lower rate because I am new and still can't find anyone to hire me!!
Nov 5th 2009 @ 2:29PM Erica M.
I am with you Clarissa. Employers don't take into consideration that even though they may not possess the skills or qualifications their looking for, these candidates may have the drive and determination to be very good employees. I also feel like, no matter who you hire, you still have to train them. Everyone needs training. Whether you never went to school or have had 4 years of school. That person still has to been trained...
Nov 5th 2009 @ 2:56PM Songbird
I really hate to say this but you hit the nail on the head. I want to work in publishing and I have done temp work as an admin (all of them ended on positive notes with my supervisors offering to give me a good referral) but now HR people will say, "You don't have any experience." or when I point it it's "Well we really frown on temp work." I mean it sounds like companies don't want to hire.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 2:56PM oneilwiz
that is so correct a lot fo the so called big shot employers are not giving the fresh college graduates a chance so how the hell do they expect us to have experience. i have graduated for a two months with my bacholors degree in IT and i havent got a job yet. I have tried every angel all they say is experience. Sometimes i wonder if it make sense to spend so much money in college to graduate to do dead end jobs like at retailer stores macys.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:09PM Carol
Employers who are having trouble finding candidates is because they need to cough up some time, talent and money to train new people to recriut into their business. Statistically speaking, and it sounds like your company has the statistics to tell yourself that you need to TRAIN>>> yo who, wake up America, this is one way we are getting swallowed by the other "Giants" (companies and countries) out there. Be careful, take care of our citizens or away we will go for a loooonnng time!!! Smart Managment is the best policy.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:13PM Bud Maxwell
Clarissa, you better go back to school and learn how to spell. I wouldn't hire you to even shovel stuff!
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:11PM twelvnrow
oneil---- If your writing is any indication of what you received from your education, no wonder you can't find a job. Can't spell, improper capitilization and punctuation. If I looked at a resume that looked like that, it wouldn't get a second look.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:29PM Joe
With you all the way Clarisa. I'm in the same boat. I have tons of experience, but the career builder reps won't give me an opportunity to interview with anyone, due to the 2, 3, 4 year experience employers are asking for. When I was the boss, I hired the best people I could, trained them and they worked out fine. Most of them went on to be managers and presidents of stations. I believe in surrounding myself with the quality people, people who are willing to work hard to get ahead. Today's employers and staffing rep's are giving anyone a chance, just so that they can hold on to their job. It's a shame that it's come to this. Hang in there girl, it'll happen for you soon.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:38PM Vern
You know what pal, it was the same thing in the trucking business years ago. I fought and lied and did a lot of stuff just to get a chance to work for a trucking outfit, finally make it. Must be more people out there with the same problem. Most of it is the insurance companies will not let them becasue of law suits and stuff maybe. Take care and do hope you get a break......
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:46PM rc
I agree. I have been out of work (except for 3 months) at a temp service since July 2007. I have 35 1/2 years all types telecom experience but unfortunatly I am over 50. I am retired Bellsouth and fully trained on Tellabs digital cross-connect system 5500 and I am constantly rejected. I also have a curent CDL A with a curent DOT physical but because I haven't driven over the road in the past few years can't even get a job driving. I believe as you said the big companies are shooting themselves in the foot.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 3:44PM WileyC
That certainly is one problem. I think the bigger problem is that HR people are "Easy Button" kinda folks. They have no specific knowledge of the job requirements (other than a list someone gave them) and are totally unqualified to make judgement calls. Although someone may not be "technically" qualified, their work history and experience in other areas may be easily transferrable. It's just that these people (HR) lack the knowledge to make that call. HR people are too busy trying to disqualify someone because their resume may have used an "old" format they don't like or there may have been a letter or pinctuation missing somewhere.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 4:07PM Teri
Try taking a spelling class. First impressions mean everything.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 4:25PM Ruff Riderr
You are absolutely right! I have a BSEE, MSEE with experience in sales/program management/marketing with 15+ years experience. These employers dont wanna hire anyone and they say they dont have any qualified people. They use the excuse to show it to government and they go and hire foreign workers for cheaper labaor or just outsource it. Its just a scam by these employers. Only tons of job creation like in 90's will make them beg for us to work for them......
Nov 5th 2009 @ 5:35PM Libby
well, in your case, the State got the proiroties wrong. Before they sent you out on (re)training, they should have evaluated the needs of the existing positions carefully. MCP, from an employer's perscpective is a certification that the candidate's skills are upto the standards. It's not a sure shot ticket to landing a job.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 4:32PM mark
What an idiot you are! First get into the company, if you're any good you'll rise to the top. You'll never succeed sitting on your as at home.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 4:37PM Robert I. Laitres
The poster is absolutely correct. It is, and to a great extent, the fault of employers. In the past, employers took the time to invest in their employees, recognizing that if they cared the employee would care. Now, employers look for individuals in which they will have to make no investment whatever. Employess are looked upon as mere "things" to be used and then discarded, much as one would treat any other "thing." That is a consequence of short-sightedness on the part of employers and a result of the pseudo-sophistication in the business world, of looking at individuals as "bodies" instead of people.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 10:20PM nora
my husband found a job after 1 year of looking, they let him go after 30 days, not 60 days, because he did not have the speed they wanted because his hands where swollen and in pain, but after 3 weeks he was doing better, but that was not good enough for her, so they had a meeting and other managers wanted him in their department because he was early, did not take brake until his brake and was always willing to help, but had 1 strike against him, he is legal and she wants illegals, so she can pay them under and keep the diference for herself, also they don't get benefits and vacation and they have to do what ever she says without protesting, I am mad and want to do something about it.
Nov 5th 2009 @ 5:28PM Carol
In New York State the "One-Stop" Employment Centers offer employers a program (an incentative to hire those who may have most of the qualifications) called "OJT" an On The Job Training opportunity where the state will pay up to 1/2 of a prospective employee's salary during a specific time period. This time frame is considered training. Usually a job seeker may have the general qualifications except for a few things, say experience or trade related specifics. If the employer is willing to give the candidate an opportunity and train for the position, for say 6 - 8 weeks the employer will be reimbursed up to 1/2 of the employee's salary. This can lead to landing the position. Good Luck!
Nov 5th 2009 @ 4:55PM Michelle
I am with everyone here, although I have over 19 1/2 years as an NICU nurse. My husband is in the military so due to circumtances I chose to take off and be with my children (being a single mom at times while he served his country). Now ~ no one will let me back in the door. I have a great resume, always had wonderful reviews and feedback from previous employers and have the recommendation letters to prove it. But then there is that catch 22. I get "we really want some one with at least one year RECENT expereince". Well, unless I am ever given the chance to do the work I was once so passionate about....I will never have that experience. It is very sad that I want to work, loved what I did, and have the experience. This is a specialized field, there are no refresher courses other than the recertification classes that I have already taken. As you can tell, I am extremely frustrated. The worst part is, I want to work because I loved what I did. It was a calling, and my heart aches that no one will even give me a chance to take care of "my babies". I will keep trying and looking for ways to get back in the door. The health system is saying get your nursing license, well I have mine,,,,,just need someone to recognize it.