Job seeking and hiring: Frustrations on both sides

In the ever-evolving world of recruitment, the dynamics of job seeking and hiring are ongoing. While it may seem that job seekers and hiring managers are on opposite sides of the employment spectrum, it’s our job as Recruiters to find a balance, negotiate on both sides to bring the 2 parties together, in the smoothest, most pain-free way. In this article, I’m highlighting the frustrations of this process from both sides.

The Frustrations of Being a Job Seeker

1. Competitive Job Market: One of the most significant frustrations faced by job seekers is the highly competitive job market. With a globally mobile workforce and advances in technology, more candidates than ever are applying for a limited number of positions. We have all seen the number of people applying on LinkedIn – sometimes thousands of applicants per job. Many of whom are overseas and most have no relevant experience, so don't let the numbers stop you from applying if you're a good match.

2. Constant Rejection: Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow for any job seeker. Facing rejection after rejection can erode self-esteem and lead to feelings of inadequacy. It can be extremely emotionally draining, especially when you feel you are a strong match. Please note that not every requirement is listed on a job description - Often there are other requirements which are not published online. Some hiring managers will be looking for a certain demographic, and no matter what your experience is, if you're not from a certain country, you have no chance of getting a call from that company.

3. Time pressures: Most job seekers are fortunate enough to search for a job whilst still employed and being paid. However some unfortunate candidates are faced with 30 day ‘grace period’ to find a new job or leave the country. They may not know when or where their next opportunity will come from, which can create anxiety about their financial stability and career prospects, leading to desperately applying for every online job whether they match or not.

4. Lack of Feedback: Many job seekers comment about the lack of feedback from prospective employers. Constructive feedback can be invaluable for personal and professional growth, yet it's often in short supply.

5. Lengthy Hiring Processes: The seemingly endless rounds of interviews, assessments, and background checks can be maddening, especially when the 5th round interviewer rejects the candidate based on something they could have worked out by looking at their CV. Lengthy hiring processes tests a job seeker's patience and resilience, and puts them off wanting to accept any eventual offer.

The Frustrations of Being a Hiring Manager

1. Sifting through endless unsuitable CVs: Hiring managers often find themselves drowning in a sea of CVs and cover letters (who reads cover letters anyway?!). Sorting through these documents can be an arduous task, especially when many applicants are unqualified for the position.  We may indeed miss ideal candidates due to the volume of unsuitable CVs we have to deal with. Probably 95% of applicants appear to have not read the job requirements at all.

2. Limited Resources: Organizations often operate with limited resources, including time and personnel. Hiring managers may struggle to find the time to review applications and conduct interviews while juggling their regular job responsibilities.  This leads to lack of response back to the candidates, both during the application process and not giving feedback after interviews.

3. Managing Candidate Expectations: Keeping candidates informed and engaged throughout the hiring process can be time-consuming. Candidates often seek timely updates, and a lack of communication can harm the employer's reputation.  Our role as a recruiter is to bridge that gap and keep the candidates informed wherever possible.

4. Pressure to Find the Perfect Fit: This can be overwhelming to recruiters or hiring managers. Recruitment Consultants only get paid if they fill the vacancy -  this is why they need to be super selective. If Recruiters don’t provide their clients with the absolute perfect match, they may even lose the client’s trust altogether, so for us it’s all about providing quality candidates - the best in the market, and not someone who only matches 5/10 requirements on the client’s wish-list.  Hiring managers are also under pressure to hire the right person, as it reflects badly on them if they make the wrong decision.

Conclusion

Being a job seeker or a hiring manager can be a challenging experience. Both roles come with their own set of frustrations. However, it is essential to remember that at some point, you may yourself be a hiring manager or a job seeker – treat others as you would expect to be treated – and spare a thought for the recruiters often stuck in the middle trying to keep everybody happy!

Thankfully at Inspire Selection | Recruitment Agency , we love changing people’s lives, and that’s what keeps us motivated.