Five Steps to Solving Workforce Issues: Part 9

Difficulties in Filling Positions

I think at this stage in our relationship (yup we’re in a relationship now) we’ve determined that your company is facing some level of difficulty in filling open positions. While a job description is a critical starting point, factors such as the current job market competition, retention rates, and the hiring process also play a role in the difficulty of finding qualified candidates.

By recognizing the difficulties in hiring for open positions, evaluating current strategies, and implementing solutions, companies can increase the likelihood of finding and retaining great employees.

Examine the most common reasons for difficulties in filling positions

We’ve determined that filling an open position can be a challenging task for many organizations. Especially after the great resignation. Nonetheless, here are the top 5 reasons why companies often find it difficult to fill an open position:

1. Unrealistic Qualifications: Companies sometimes believe that the more qualifications they require, the more likely they are to attract the best candidates. However, overly stringent qualifications may eliminate viable candidates and make it harder to fill the position. It is important to reevaluate qualifications and prioritize the ones that are absolutely necessary for the job.

2. Salary and compensation: Companies may not be offering a competitive salary or benefits package, which can deter qualified candidates from applying. Offering unique benefits or showcasing company culture can help set your company apart from competitors.

3. Poor employer brand: Companies may struggle to fill job openings because of a lack of investment in their employer brand. Corporate culture and an employer’s reputation can significantly impact the types of candidates attracted to job openings. To combat this struggle, companies must invest resources in building a positive employer brand and differentiating themselves from competitors.

4. Location: The location of the job may be inconvenient or unappealing to potential candidates, which can limit the pool of qualified applicants. Are you requiring your team members to work from your location or do you offer the flexibility of working from home?

5. Unappealing company culture: If your company has a negative or unappealing culture, potential candidates may not be interested in working for you, regardless of the position's responsibilities or compensation.

BONUS: Tapping into the gig economy: Is it possible to fill some of your vacancies with workers from the gig economy? Have you reviewed the work that your company needs to complete to determine if this is a viable option? If not, I think you should.

The difficulty in filling an open position can be attributed to a variety of factors. By examining the most common reasons for difficulties in filling positions and prioritizing strategies, companies can create effective recruitment plans to hire and retain the best employees for their organization's needs.

Now that we’ve identified potential issues. Don’t miss the next blog post where we’ll talk about Strategies for Overcoming Hiring Challenges.

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