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Original poster

Why is it so hard to recruit?!

98 replies

Jessforless · 04/12/2023 22:12

I’m so confused and a bit disappointed. I’m recruiting for what I think is an amazing role in my team at work (it used to be mine) and it’s a great salary, a very detailed job brief and the duties are brilliant. I loved the role, it has an exciting and truly enjoyable aspect and lots of benefits and holiday.

The applications are frankly - terrible.but only because it’s like people haven’t read it! Imagine the job is tech (it’s not) there are people with absolutely no tech experience sending in CV’s with no covering letter.

There are applicants who are students (and it’s not a small salary, much higher than the average) and applicants who work as bartenders and delivery drivers (nothing wrong with this - just absolutely nothing to do with the role!)

Out of 60+ applicants - there’s not one I can invite to an interview.

Is this just me? What is going on?! It’s such a lovely job, with a great package. (I promise, I’m not being blinkered) When I went for the role there were so many great applicants apparently. How has time changed so much that now it’s so difficult to fill to role or even find one person to bring in?

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 05/12/2023 07:40

I just can’t believe the amount of people who apply with no covering letter or the letter says the wrong company even.

It' always a safe bet that out of 3 people being called for interview, one won't turn up. Thankfully I just have to ask the tech questions.

Dinnerfor8pm · 05/12/2023 07:45

It will be a combination of the salary and that people see it as an entry level job into the industry (even if you don't see it that way). You either need to suck it up and train someone into the post or accept you need to pay more.

As for cover letters. I hate the things. Never send one. Never had an issue with getting a job.

bananamangoes · 05/12/2023 07:55

Recruiter here!

Yes it's hard. That's why agencies exist

enchantedsquirrelwood · 05/12/2023 08:03

Namenumber3 · 04/12/2023 22:49

Are you being too niche ? If you want someone with experience in the sector, recruit in the sector.
Thousands of teachers are leaving teaching. Degrees, personable, tech skills, think on their feet, put in the hours etc. Most of them could do most jobs frankly. I think many sectors have weird ideas about what makes a good candidate.

I agree with this - so many employers want the moon on a stick and won't provide training.

The OP's role may actually require some decent experience. But I wonder how many of those students she's turned down could potentially do it (and for less money). If you don't explore any of them how do you know? You need to read CVs really carefully. I agree that for something like events a student could easily have transferable skills.

As for the civil service job above, they are pretty nightmarish application forms, so if you get people who can actually put something sensible in all the boxes, it is probably worth getting them in for the next stage.

There needs to be more creative thinking and crucially a willingness to train. Most employers just expect the perfect candidate to fall into their laps.

FrippEnos · 05/12/2023 08:07

I would go for, not willing to give someone a try.

Companies seem to want to pay very little for experience and not be prepared to train up.

gotomomo · 05/12/2023 08:11

People can have the full skill set but circumstances have led them to take other work or their current job title is misleading, I for instance was managing a large building, employees, budgeting, producing statutory accounts yet had a job title that sounded entry level!

gotomomo · 05/12/2023 08:13

If you are Bristol area ... message me! But as I say very non standard background but arranged corporate and fundraising events for years!

Dinnerfor8pm · 05/12/2023 08:16

enchantedsquirrelwood · 05/12/2023 08:03

I agree with this - so many employers want the moon on a stick and won't provide training.

The OP's role may actually require some decent experience. But I wonder how many of those students she's turned down could potentially do it (and for less money). If you don't explore any of them how do you know? You need to read CVs really carefully. I agree that for something like events a student could easily have transferable skills.

As for the civil service job above, they are pretty nightmarish application forms, so if you get people who can actually put something sensible in all the boxes, it is probably worth getting them in for the next stage.

There needs to be more creative thinking and crucially a willingness to train. Most employers just expect the perfect candidate to fall into their laps.

Show quote history

I've given up applying for the civil service. Their recruitment process is bonkers! Then everyone I know who works in the civil service moans it's impossible to recruit to fill their senior posts!

Sundaefraise · 05/12/2023 08:24

Dinnerfor8pm · 05/12/2023 08:16

I've given up applying for the civil service. Their recruitment process is bonkers! Then everyone I know who works in the civil service moans it's impossible to recruit to fill their senior posts!

Show quote history

I’ve nearly given up too. I did a candidates session with the civil service to go through the application process and if I can’t get through the sift after that I’m not doing any more.

C1N1C · 05/12/2023 08:25

I personally wouldn't apply for a job with a cover letter requirement. Imagine you're struggling to find a job and every company requires a cover letter?... especially when 99% of the time you have some program or PA binning it because they just don't like your name or you've missed a key word.

And most people are going to ChatGTP this bit anyway...

fetchacloth · 05/12/2023 08:27

FrippEnos · 05/12/2023 08:07

I would go for, not willing to give someone a try.

Companies seem to want to pay very little for experience and not be prepared to train up.

That's been my experience too.
So unrealistic.

Beezknees · 05/12/2023 08:33

I was made redundant earlier this year and had to claim JSA. The Jobcentre were spectacularly shit and encouraged me to apply for any job going whether it was relevent to my experience or not. So I probably applied for loads that I was unqualified for just to meet their bloody quota.

SquashPenguin · 05/12/2023 08:37

We have this problem too! We open up an entry level role, so no experience or qualifications required as they are provided, but I had one cv not long ago with an opening line about how much they wanted to work in the equine industry. Yeah bye. We have nothing to do with horses. Some people just do not read the job description.

We got a lot of crap sent our way, largely I suspect down to people having to apply for x amount of jobs when unemployed. We have found some great people over the last year but Christ it’s hard work!

IdealisticCynic · 05/12/2023 08:39

We definitely get more and better applications when we recruit over Christmas/new year. I think that’s when people decide they want a new job and have time over that period to fill out applications properly.

But more generally, I agree that I have seen some shockingly poor applications over the last couple of years and this just wasn’t the case 10/15 years ago. I have no idea why.

JanefromLondon1 · 05/12/2023 08:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 05/12/2023 08:54

I feel your pain @bleughgreen . I had similar trouble earlier in the year. Post required XXX academic and professional qualifications so they could legally sign off particular types of work. We got school leavers, and people who'd studied at the "University of Life" and whose qualifications were "enthusiasm". Both of which are commendable, but nothing like the spec. We'd advertised in appropriate professional media, but as public sector have to advertise more widely.

biter · 05/12/2023 08:57

Try linked in ?

Bilbo63 · 05/12/2023 08:58

Have you specified in the advertisement that you want a cover letter attached? There is some confusion whether a cover letter is optional if the job advertisement does not specify a cover letter should be attached. A quick google tells me that. People will chance their luck without the right qualifications, skills or experience. I have been applying for jobs recently, jobs that I am more than qualified for I did not get an interview for and jobs that I did not think I stood a chance I often got interviews. I've ended up with a job in the civil service, who blind recruit, not interested in qualifications or experience (they don't even ask on the application), they are interested in behaviours and strengths. Some of the people applying may not have direct experience, but they may have transferable skills and looking for a foot in the door.

Bertiesmum3 · 05/12/2023 09:28

The benefit people make people apply for jobs, it’s part of the contract to receiving benefits is to be seen actively looking for work!
when I had job vacancies going I’d have lots of people apply and some of their applications were shocking, with what was written on the covering letter, if they did bother to send one, they’d put down the wrong phone number as well so I wasn’t able to contact them, I’d phone them for an interview and they’d turn up and put no effort in or they wouldn’t turn up!

Calmdown14 · 05/12/2023 09:37

I think a lot of it is recruitment sites. People fire off the same application to everything.

We get this too. Has the application closed? I am usually most disappointed by the early ones. They are usually completely generic and I wonder if they are the 'must apply for 40 jobs a week ' category.

There are usually some really good ones in amongst the 'could be applying for anything' bots

Beenhereforever1978 · 05/12/2023 09:49

Jessforless · 04/12/2023 22:34

Thanks for the replies!

it’s hybrid, it’s flexible, it’s in events and it’s for a large corporation who have advertised it everywhere, all the job sites I’ve heard of and I’ve posted it and it’s been reposted by a lot of colleagues.

I promise there’s nothing wrong with the role. It really is the most lovely job. I felt super lucky to have it and can’t believe the pool of applicants.

I guess maybe the time of year might have an impact?

MN has a jobs board! Maybe you'll find your perfect fit on here!

ActDottie · 05/12/2023 09:50

When people look for jobs they just blanket apply to many many jobs and don’t bespoke their cv because it’s just so time consuming.

You say the job spec is detailed etc. but it may be too detailed that the good people who meet the criteria are put off because they don’t meet them all? And think they don’t stand a chance? Make sure it’s super clear what you’re looking for and if still no good applications I’d simplify the job advert.

GetYourBaublesOut · 05/12/2023 09:54

I think it's pretty bad right now for this.

I've recruited into various roles for 20 years and normally find myself with a few candidates I think can probably do the role well - so it comes down to finer qualifications/skills to decide who is best to offer to.

For the last 4-5 months I've been trying to recruit for 4 roles and am really sturggling. They are different roles with different reqs and I am finding it really hard to get anyone who I think is even halfway there to doing the role.

I don't know what's going on - unless it's that salaries are growing at a rate that any benchmarked 6-12 months back may be too far out by now.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 05/12/2023 09:55

Only one job has ever got back to him and he interviewed three times and at all 3 interviews the HR person kept asking why he wanted the job at his age, isn't he too old to travel 40 minutes to work etc. It was clear there was a problem with his age even though he had great experience in that field

I suggest your husband complains about this to the head of HR at that company. This is outrageously discriminatory.

Dinnerfor8pm · 05/12/2023 10:12

I'll tell you part of the problem.

Advert: must have 5 years experience, relevant undergraduate and masters and post graduate qualifications and proven track record in the industry, must be fully flexible and prepared to work ad hoc evenings and weekends. Generous benefits. 25 days annual leave. £32,000p.a.

If you can't see the problem with this you are the problem not the candidate pool.