Romeo & Juliet – the challenges of hiring a good match

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

In the digital age, you’d think that matching good people to great job opportunities would be as simple as finding the perfect recipe online – just follow the steps, and hey presto!.

But clearly it’s not.

“Why is it so hard to find a job” is currently trending on Google and based on conversations I’m having with business owners, I’m surprised “Why is it so hard to find good people for my job” isn’t trending too!

The job market is tough right now – and a bit like online dating, lots of swiping left and right but very few meaningful connections. As a result Romeo isn’t recognising his Juliet, or in business terms, good people and good businesses are missing each other, and that’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

The Challenges

1. The Job Market is crowded
For job seekers, the market can feel like a never-ending competition. With so many people applying for the same jobs, it’s tough to stand out, and lots of great candidates get lost in the overwhelming mountain of CVs.

2. Over-emphasis on the CV
In many businesses – particularly big organisations, there’s a minimum requirement in terms of formal qualifications, eg a degree (sometimes even stipulating the grade achieved) even though it bears no relevance to the requirements of the job. So individuals with an impressive CV will get an interview while those with a lesser CV, but with a great attitude and an enthusiasm for learning, don’t.

3. Automated Screening
Other businesses screen CVs for certain keywords – something that many more businesses will do now with use of Ai on the rise. Of course this is efficient, but it will often mean that they miss out on great candidates who don’t perfectly match the keywords but could excel in the role with their diverse experiences and skills.

4. Poor Job Descriptions
Job descriptions are often less than inspiring, and either vague or overly-detailed. This not only discourages potential candidates but also attracts applicants who might not be the best fit, wasting time for both parties.

5. It’s not what you know
Many jobs are filled through networking and personal referrals, which can be great for the business, but means that potentially great people who would be a perfect fit for the role, don’t even get to hear about it.

Bridging the Gap

For those of you looking…

1. Tailor Your CV
Customise your CV for each application, and highlight all of your achievements that are relevant to the role, as well as the skills and experiences you have that match the job description. And don’t forget to sprinkle in keywords from the job posting to make sure you ret through any automated screenings.

2. Write a covering letter
Always, always, always write a covering letter that focuses on how your key achievements match the key requirements of the role, and shows your ability to put together a well written e mail.

3. Get out and network
Invest time in attending industry events, join professional groups on LinkedIn, and reach out to contacts in your field. Networking can open doors to opportunities that may never be advertised.

4. Be Persistent
Don’t get discouraged by rejections. Keep applying, refining your approach, and always ask for feedback. Persistence often pays off.

For those of you hiring…

1. Outcome-focused Job Descriptions
Write clear and concise job descriptions that accurately reflect the role, and focus on the big stuff you want the person to deliver. Keep it to one page with an emphasis on any essential skills and experiences rather than an exhaustive wish list.  Click HERE for a free template.

2. Keep an open mind
Don’t restrict your search to specific academic qualifications, unless they are absolutely essential. Consider people with diverse backgrounds and skills, and look for potential and willingness to learn rather than a perfect match on paper.

3. Re-work your hiring system
Check out the Complete Right 1st Time Hiring System to update and re-work the whole experience for potential candidates, and to make it easier to hire right fist time, and every time.

4. Invest in Training
With an effective and consistent training system in your business, the perfect candidate may be one that you grow and develop in your existing team! Don’t overlook the potential right under your nose.

The job market can feel like a maze, but it doesn’t have to be. By tailoring your approach, investing in relationships, and keeping an open mind, both job seekers and employers can bridge the gap. The right match IS out there – it just takes a bit of effort from both of you to find each other.

Keep pushing, stay positive, and soon, Romeo will find his Juliet.

Happy hiring!

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Author

Marianne Page

Marianne is the author of three books, and is currently working on her fourth, whilst regularly writing her blog, we hope you enjoy it :-)

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