Recruitment, can't believe how hard it is!

[Sunnydawn]

I read and hear so much about people wanting flexible working, and how so many people are stuck in dead end jobs, or on zero hours contracts.

But, I am involved in recruitment for two jobs right now, one a professional job in a lovely environment, as a part time job share. The other, a part time, flexible, admin job, again in a lovely office, with training and a good career if you want it.

And no decent applicants! No applicants for the first. Loads who have applied for the latter, but ecan't even attempt the basics forvan interview or trial (ie. turning up in time, dressing half smart, answer a phone).

Frankly, I despair. What are people doing? Where are they working/wanting to work?

These are different places, by the way, so it's not the particular environment.

I was looking to move jobs but applying is such a faff that I can't be arsed and have given up.

As it happens I have always found recruiters very professional to be fair.

It's the companies themselves that I cba with. For the second time now I have gone through various applications, tests and Skype interviews only then to hear nothing. Not even a 'thank you but no'. Pfft.

I echo your thoughts, working in recruitment too I despair of what is happening and what is becoming acceptable. Candidates applying for jobs but then not answering the phone, candidates saying they will come for an interview then not turning up, not turning up on day one. I recruit for hospitality and it's honestly dire. The up and coming generations attitudes frighten me, such high expectations and so little emotional intelligence. We are one of the rare companies who offer more than 0 hour contracts as well.

We're not recruiting just now but it is childcare which is apparently especially bad. One memorable day we had lined up 6 interviews, all confirmed...not one showed up. Some gave us pathetic excuses, some just didn't turn up at all.

Well I've been head-hunted for a senior position, by a reputable head-hunting firm; the job was supposed to be flexi, family-friendly etc, yet when we got down to details and I said I wanted PT, they dropped me immediately, didn't even have the courtesy to let me know.

Completely agree. Impossible to recruit for flexible part time jobs, and very low standard of behaviour for those who claim to be interested. If you don't want the job, just politely email "Sorry, got another job offer suits me better because - or tell the recruiter the actual reason, maybe it's something they can change. Don't just not turn up and never be heard of again! This happens regularly and is IMO bizarre.

Without outing myself completely... this week I've had 3/4 interviews not turn up or answer the phone, an open day which we put huge effort into attracting candidates- 2 people turned up who seemed fairly alright. Most people turn up half an hour late, with the incorrect documentation and looking like they rolled out of bed and crawled to the office. We pay about twice the minimum wage!

Feel your pain.

I live in a big vibrant city, looking for an experienced admin, opportunity to build out role to suit skills, great career prospects, great salary, nice office, gym on site etc

2 applications. Don't get it.

Yes, that is it exactly! I just don't get it - what do the new generation want? I think it's the quality of applicants that stuns me most. Answering a phone, actually turning up on time.

And the not turning up to interview thing. I think somewhere along the way, we have lost respect for working

Oh and my roles are standard FT.

Macca pls will you inbox me what company or field of work it is as I'm looking for work. ?

Pollaidh I've been asked to go for an interview, one of the key skills they required I didn't have at that stage of my career. I said to the recruiter 'they do know I can't do this particular thing?' I was assured they knew. When I turned up and told the interviewer they looked really surprised and pretty much told me I had no chance!

I feel your pain, it is so difficult to recruit part time staff.
It seems like for some the job is taken to fulfill minimum hours to maximise tax credits.
We pay over the living wage, there seems to be a reluctance to increase hours over 16 or 24.
Attitude seems to be the job is a necessary evil to gain tax credits.
It is infuriating for an employer.

Which part of the country?

Yeah, DrDre really annoying when you've spent hours preparing.

In my case I was very well qualified for the role. That head hunter was so unprofessional, and I fear he may have blamed it all on me, though I gave him plenty of indicators that I was looking for flexible/PT work. Still, I won't be using him for recruitment...

And actually I wasn't even looking for work. He spent hours persuading me I wanted to move.

My company had the same a while back. I also asked my boss to advertise on Mumsnet's job section. Flexible hours around school times, working from home if required, a good hourly rate with good opportunities to increase it. Four applications and none from here.

I think part of the problem is that unemployed people are forced by the job centre to apply for a certain number of jobs or face sanctions. So often they apply for jobs they are not interested in or totally unsuitable for a job that doesn't fit it with childcare or other commitments. Then obviously they need to make sure they fail the interview.

We can't recruit either and we offer very secure, decently paid, family friendly, flexible roles in the public sector. Hardly anyone applies and half of those who do are either under or over qualified. We should have graduates queueing round the block for our graduate trainee positions, but no joy.

Is your person spec too high? I find some ask for the world in return for very little! It also puts me off applying if I don't meet all the criteria, I need to be more like Trump and apply for jobs I'm not qualified for!

YANBU. I am interviewing candidates at the moment. It's a nightmare and the standard is appallingly low. Poor quality CVs - spelling mistakes, horrendous grammar and sloppy formatting. I've had more than one person respond to the vacancy after the closing date has passed - strike one for attention to detail.

Out of the people I have interviewed, only one applicant has been decent. Prepared, good questions, intelligent answers - a little bit flustered and nervous but that's normal. I'm so relieved that she seems like a good fit because she is the only person who has met the standard we need!

I work for a large bank. We have serious problems recruiting tech/developer/engineering people. Depending on grade, the roles pay £40-£70k+ And we have LOADS of vacancies we simply can't fill.

The NHS in London can't get enough healthcare professionals and medical secretaries but this is probably due to the low pay for the high cost of London living.

Very good point tinkly I bet you're right

Where are you based Barbara? Most graduate trainee jobs appear to be very fiercely contested nowadays.

I want this job too! West mids please

The spec for the admin job is "can you answer a phone, do a bit of filing, be nice to clients". Bonus would be, "can you count money, use a computer, order stationery".

In the olden days, this would be a starter job, maybe someone with children coming back into work, and we would train them up and eventually have a super efficient PA.

Oh well, not just us then....