Why is recruiting so hard?

[henrysugar12]

Been trying to recruit for a position since the middle of December. Had lots of applicants but none are suitable for the job! As it's a niche position, I understand that it's not going to be simple finding someone, but I would have thought that there would be some better applicants!

Most of the CVs list various chronic health issues, that they are on maternity leave for more than 6 months (ad said immediate start), or lots of other things that are not making them look like the best option! Some of the CVs show that they have moved jobs 3 or 4 times in a year and some have absolutely no relevant experience.

What on earth is going on? A couple that we have contacted about interviews have been so non-committal and we've not managed to get them to come in for an interview. Are these people just applying to continue claiming jobseekers or something? It's so frustrating

If it's a niche role and current applications haven't been suitable then the advert isn't attracting the right people and you need a recruiter instead of trying to do it in house.

Trying to get my boss to hire a recruiter will be impossible!
All training will be provided, and it's clear in the advert that some admin experience is required. However we are getting applicants who have zero office experience, all of the applications have been from people who aren't currently working, so no change of careers...
It very much seems that the people who have applied are listing all the reasons why we shouldn't interview/hire them, it's very odd.

What’s niche about the position?

What's the job?

A lot of places are employing on contractor/fixed term basis at the moment so I wouldn't be overly concerned about job hoppers. Chronic illness is a Disability and assume they have declared for disability allowances at interview?

To me, niche usually implies highly skilled and/or highly paid, but that doesn't sound like what you're describing? What sort of role is it?

Where are you advertising? Maybe you're getting lots of job seekers who have to apply for any old shite to keep receiving their benefits.

There is only ever two reasons that you can’t find the right hire. 1) you aren’t paying enough or 2) the job isn’t interesting enough to put up with the fact you aren’t paying enough.

Immediate thought was salary isn't high enough to attract the talent you need.

A lot of people aren’t moving jobs right now unless they need to, so the applicant pool is going to be those who need a job/need to prove they are looking. Unless the company/salary/benefits are amazing those who are reasonably happy are staying put!

If you're saying immediate start, anyone who is currently working isn't going to apply. That's probably not going to help your pool of applicants.

We had this last year. It took us 3 rounds of interviews and about 25 candidates being interviewed to find someone.

We'd had over 200 applications, but barely anyone appropriate.

Have you advertised the salary? It’s either not paying enough, or if you haven’t advertised the £ the good candidates can’t be bothered to enquire and waste their time chasing an answer (they are in too high demand to bother).

What are you paying if that's who you're getting

Straight away I imagine the pay isn’t high enough which is why you are getting people not really suited for the role.

Pay peanuts, expect monkeys.

You need to use a recruitment agency.

There's a reason why most organisations use them and why there are so many recruitment firms!

If it was easy to recruit, the recruitment agencies simply wouldn't exist.

Tell your boss to stop being an idiot and get a proper recruitment firm involved, especially if it's for a specialist/niche role. We're decades past the "old days" where you put an advert in the local newspaper or trade/professional magazine!!

Not sure why chronic illness would stop someone being suitable? That’s literally discrimination?

Seconded.
I detest when adverts give no salary range. They vary quite wildly in my profession so not having one guarantees that I wouldn't enquire further.

Otherwise, it seems you need to offer more to get the candidates you want.

Most of the CVs list various chronic health issues and how does this affect their ability to do the job? Be careful here.

Are you advertising what you actually want? Just refused an offer because what I applied for and discussed at interview, isn’t what was in the offered contract - it was completely different hours, days, place of work, and pay!

That's what I want to know. What's going on OP. Have they listed their chronic health conditions to make you aware they are disabled??

People list their health conditions on their CV? Wow.

If your only requirement is that someone have admin experience your pool is large. If you are not attracting good people then either increase the salary or make it a part time position to fit around school hours.

I was just thinking the opposite. I’ve been desperately trying to get a job - have 20 years of experience, available for an immediate start but can’t even get an interview. I must have applied for 100 jobs so far 😔

Can a person support themselves on the salary you’re offering?

What's the job and what's the pay? I'm looking for a change!

Would you accept a 61 year old?