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

The applicants you've got are what the role and salary buys, from the field who've seen it.

Depending on how it's been advertised, it's possible you might get more attractive candidates if you pitch it differently. There may be better people who've just not seen it, or who have seen it but didn't think it was for them because of something about the way you've advertised the role. It's possible there are some relatively easy wins if you change your approach a bit. But it's also possible that the role just isn't that attractive to potential employees and the quality of applicants reflects that.

How niche is it?

I'd list a chronic health condition as I want to explain the huge gap in my cv (and the occasional need for a day off, probably no more than someone else getting ill). However I am raring to go back to work by now after the gap, and have a brain! Knowing someone is going to automatically bin my application as I'd mentioned it is not massively encouraging.

Should do or it's ageist

I think you need to try a bit of self-reflection here...

First of all you are discriminating against people who have a long term health condition or disability. This illegal and frankly offensive. The fact that someone declares a health condition does not mean they can't do the job or will require a lot of sick leave.

Frankly usually if you can't attract decent candidates it is usually because:

• The salary is too low
• The company expect too much: endless job description puts candidates off because it becomes clear it would be impossible for one person to take on all the responsibilities/tasks that are listed
• The job description/ad are badly written and putting people off
• Your company in general has a poor reputation
• Your company does not offer any decent benefits (no flexible working for example).

Also asking for an immediate start is going to reduce your pool of candidates as people who are in employment have to give notice.

Seriously, you ask this and then talk about candidates having chronic health issues like it's a problem that will count them out if running. Absolutely gross on your part.

Well they are ableist so...

A CV is a place to put your achievements rather than limitations so I can understand OP wondering why conditions are being put on a CV.

OP you aren’t paying enough or the job description isn’t clear enough.

Why don't you just put 'illness' and leave the chronic health issue bit out, until after you've gotten the job?
Of course individual managers shouldn't discriminate, but I have to wonder at the motives of someone putting it on their CV. Nobody puts 'pregnant' on their CV and on here women are advised not to disclose until they legally have to. And certainly not before they've gotten the job!

@Danikm151 exactly.

I've hired many candidates with various conditions and nobody's ever put it on their CV. It's not the condition itself that would make me do a double take, it's the fact that it was mentioned. I'd be wondering if they needed to apply for X number of jobs or similar.

And what is the pay?

You mean refer to it in the past rather than as 'I have an issue'?

I feel (in my tiny experience of trying recently) that I have to be honest and mention it in case of total back spasm at some point. Which of course literally anyone's back could do at any point!!

As it's a niche position

What is niche about it? Niche as in it requires a particular specialist qualification or ‘niche’ as in it’s 6am-9am in a warehouse, miles away from all major bus routes, working alone in a windowless room on minimum wage?

Fair point!

Because society is full of absolute nutters. It's not you, it's them. We've been looking to fill a niche role at work for about 2 + years. Finally found someone. You'll get there in the end.

I'd just leave the gap and explain at interview

Yup.. "lots of other things that are not making them look like the best option"

No one wants to work for an employer like that

I worry I won't get there as an employer would see the huge gap ....

i have a disability and when I was on jsa she kept forcefully “advising” me to put it both on my cv and in the explanation on gaps, I knew this to be fucking ridiculous, as it’s just asking to be discriminated against, but I thought she was just a useless rogue advisor but maybe it’s more frequent. I was also encouraged to apply for jobs that have sweet fuck all to do with your qualifications or experience

Not exactly. You mention that a gap was due to an illness. E..g
2011-2015 : Career Break due to medical issues (am sure there's better wording if you Google it).
Once you get past the initial few stages explain that the issue is ongoing. I mean, if you said it's not going to result in you taking lots of sick leave anyway, it's not an issue, is it?
And if you mention it after you get the job obviously they can't pull it back without opening themselves up to a discrimination claim.

For any job that's decent enough to attract lots of applicants. There'll always be more than one person who can do the role. Why would you make yourself out to be the 'worse' choice when people are looking for reasons 'not' to pick a candidate, instead of a reason 'to', because they're all pretty much equal?

This is useful, thank you.

Why are people putting illnesses on their cvs? People like you op will obviously discriminate against them

its certainly a mix at times

Are these people just applying to continue claiming jobseekers or something?

yes.

There's a time and a place for disclosing the nature of disability / health needs. Your CV is neither. It's unprofessional.

it's a bit like putting your disability in an exam script instead of following the right process for disclosure/adjustments, it can be considered misconduct for trying to influence the examiner.

@saltnvini it certainly is ageist.

I have little sympathy for companies who can't recruit. I've ticked every box for many of the jobs I've applied for yet don't get an interview. Ageism is rife.

@henrysugar12 what's so niche about the job?

but then everyone has different views of what being professional is