Optimize You

So, I keep reading about how the job market is softening, that companies are freezing hiring, and that unemployment is on the rise.  Yet, when I talk to HR professionals – and even reading articles on the subject of recruitment – HR professionals continue to place “difficulting finding qualified candidates” as their number one recruiting challenge!

 

We read over and over again, as Baby Boomers get older and start retiring in droves (okay, they’re already retiring in droves – but those droves are going to get bigger!) we are going to start seeing these recruiting challenges more and more.  Plenty of applicants, but none that are qualified.

 

I have a theory – I think there are a lot more qualified candidates out there, but with today’s recruiting techniques they aren’t getting through!  With the initial screening often being done by software, if you don’t have all the right key words on your resume its not going to get picked!  I’ve also noticed that companies tend to discount the resumes of candidates who have changed careers – so someone who might be great for the position is discounted because the majority of his or her experience is in an unrelated feild. 

Candidates need to find ways to stand out in a crowd. 

 

As a recruiter, I can assure you that if you are simply submitting your resumes to jobs you find online you are NOT standing out.  Unless you have an amazing resume – but few people do.  You have to learn to stand out without being obnoxious.  Recruiters hate being “stalked” (and we use that term) but we also LOVE to find the right candidate.  If you show us that’s what you are… we’re going to be thrilled to talk to you!