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Hello there – happy Thursdays!
So … obviously we talent folks understand the market right now. I’ve been recruiting for 12 years, and I don’t ever remember the market being this gross – counter offers, nil appoints, and I’ve had 3 candidates in the last 3 months withdraw from a recruitment process I was running to focus on their personal lives (aka wanting to enjoy the end of the year, spend time with their families and wait until next year to find a new role). It’s predicted to stay this way all through 2022 as well – with ‘The Great Resignation’ (aka The Big Bye Bye) predicted to peak in March next year, and companies scrambling to replace those staffing gaps.
Gone are the days of fielding endless calls from candidates, and having to wrangle hundreds of applications for a job. Instead, now… we’re lucky to receive ANY applications, let alone replies to our emails/messages/phone calls. I’ve had recruitment agencies turn me away, unable to help as they’re already trying to assist 5 other companies with the same type of roles. I’ve offered candidates who have 4 other job offers on the table, and they sound overwhelmed rather than excited. It’s bananas!
One of the hardest parts of this whole thing though… is breaking the news to a hiring manager who desperately needs to fill a vacancy (or multiple vacancies, in some cases). Some things I’ve found that really help when having these discussions:
In my recruitment agency days when I was struggling to find someone for a role, or fit in with a client’s requirements… a manager of mine would always say “there’s more than 1 way to skin a cat” – and it’s so true. Barbaric, but true. There’s always a way to skin dem catto’s, we just have to get a bit creative sometimes (and maybe bend the rules a little bit from time to time too).
Have a great week!
Audrey Blanche is a thought leader in the DEI space (and previous ATC guest speaker) that you should be following. If you haven’t heard her speak, or listened to this poddie .. then get amongst it ASAP. In this article, Audrey preaches the multitude of benefits having a diverse workforce offers – not to mention making our Talent Acq lives easier. People want to work at organisations that are diverse, equitable, and do some good for the world.
The pandemic has sneakily seen women suddenly become teachers, cleaners, and workplace therapists – all while trying to meet the demands of their day jobs. It’s no surprise, but massively concerning, that women are being pushed out of the tech workforce.
A rising trend in the US (particularly among Gen Z) – people actively deciding not to work. Living minimalist lives, and consuming only what they need to survive. The kicker here is that they’re enjoying their lives stress-free, and making the most of what they’ve got. I love this idea in theory, but … I need to work to pay for my botox. Although maybe if I didn’t have the stress of work, I wouldn’t NEED botox? It’s the ol’ chicken and the egg scenario.
More companies are getting onboard with the idea of building, training, and growing their own talent to address skills shortages… and what an awesome idea, for everyone involved! (Also “growing talent” makes people sound like house plants, and for that I’m sorry). ALSO, if this article interests you – check out what Atlassian are doing to address their own skills shortages here.
Oh no but… we’re only just beginning the gender equity discussions. You ain’t seen the worst of it yet. Strap in, men … the women are coming for ya!
