Why Employers and Job Seekers Struggle to Connect

‘Help Wanted’ signs are everywhere that you look. Yet people who are in the job market are finding it difficult to secure employment. Why is it so difficult for employers and job seekers to connect? 

According to an article by Aimee Picchi on MoneyWatch “The unemployment rate might be near a historic low, but it’s taking longer for hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Americans to find new jobs, … More than half of those job seekers have been on the hunt for new employment for more than 27 weeks, or about half a year.” 

Both employers and job seekers can do some simple things to help make the recruitment process more effective and efficient.

Recruiting tips for employers:

1. Review or create a job description that accurately reflects the duties that you need an employee to perform. Be realistic about the requirements for the position. Is a college degree really necessary? What skills and how much experience does the employee need to be able to perform the job duties?
2. How much should you pay someone for this job? Research the average wage for this type of job on websites like Indeed or Salary.com. Salary data should be adjusted for industry, geographic area, educational or certification requirements and years of work experience. Salaries must be competitive to hire and retire good employees.
3. Create job-related interview questions. Ask all applicants the same questions. Invest the time in getting to know whether or not applicants have the attitude, behavior and job skills that will make them a good fit for the job and your workplace. 
4. Contact applicants quickly after reviewing their resumes. You may miss out on good applicants if you wait too long. 
5. Follow up after interviews quickly. Another employer may snap up good applicants if you delay making a decision.
6. Notify applicants who were interviewed that the job has been filled after the chosen applicant has started work. Waiting until then allows you to retain contact with possible candidates if for some reason your first choice doesn’t accept the job and show up on the first day. 

Job search tips for job seekers:

1. Update your resume. Your job history should be current. Provide both an email address and a telephone number. Make sure that the information is correct. 
2. Respond to employer’s efforts to contact you! If you are in the job market, you should be checking your messages daily so that interested employers may schedule interviews with you. Check your spam mailbox in case messages went there instead of your inbox.
3. Prepare to answer typical interview questions about your job history, job skills, and why the employer should hire you. Have questions that you want to ask about the job and the company.
4. Prepare for the interview by learning something about the company. Most businesses have a website with this information. Make sure that you know where the business is located or where the interview will take place. 
5. Show up for the interview on time, neatly dressed and well-groomed. If you are running late or can’t make it to the interview for some reason, contact the employer to explain and request that the interview be rescheduled. 
6. Send a follow-up message thanking the company for the opportunity to interview for the job. This only takes a minute and enhances your image as a serious candidate for the job.
7. Don’t “ghost” employers who have scheduled an interview with you. Have the courtesy to decline the interview or explain that you are no longer interested in the job. 

An HR professional can help you with all of your human resource needs. From hiring the right employees, running background checks, creating employee handbooks that include anti-harassment policies and procedures and so much more, Next Level Solutions can work with you to provide the services that you need to run your business. 

For more information about our accounting and human resource services, contact Next Level Solutions at info@nextlevelsol.net or (225) 330-8347.