Is Recruitment Getting Harder?

“Is it just me, or is recruitment becomingly increasingly difficult? I want out of this game”- was the question a seasoned recruitment business owner asked me a few months ago.

Looking back over my past 4 years in the recruitment industry, it’s hard to definitively answer. My success has increased, but then so too has my experience and knowledge in the field. One thing is for sure, recruitment has changed dramatically. As recruitment consultants, we work in an industry full of challenges and problems – for clients; competition for candidates is extremely tough and they no longer hold the power they once did, while for candidates; standing out and adapting to market changes and new technology is a never ending battle. As the bridge between organisations and candidates, it’s our job to solve these challenging on a daily basis, delivering results that leave all parties better off. The problem for us as recruiters is, as it stands currently, the divide between candidates and employers is at an all-time high. In the past, finding a candidate that was perfect for an organisation in terms of attitude and skill-set was enough to ensure a successful placement, yet today, the gap in perspective and point of view between employers and candidates means there is no such thing as a ‘guaranteed placement’.

Organisations need to understand that good talent is rare! Candidates have a choice and if you are not prepared to offer them an attractive package (be it in terms of salary, projects to work on or work environment) they will take their expertise elsewhere – often to your competitors. It’s easy to understand why so many senior recruiters are extremely cynical about the world and it’s a battle I’m trying to fight every day. In the back of my mind, I’m always expecting something to go wrong when it comes to the final aspects of a placement. It could be anything from a client lowballing a candidate and putting them off the organisation all together, a candidate accepting a more attractive offer from a competitor, or a client who is unwilling to look at potential and instead find reasons why a hire will fail.

The thing is, despite the challenges we face as recruiters – the bad public image, the stress of making all parties happy, the heartbreak of a ‘sure-thing’ placement falling off; it’s these challenges that make it all worthwhile when everything does fall into place. To me, there is nothing more exciting and satisfying than having your candidate sign a contract with your client and knowing you have just improved the lives of two parties. Nothing.

The recruitment industry is tough and with the gulf between employers and candidates steadily widening, it’s only going to get tougher. But, I’m ready for it because I believe that what I’m doing has the potential to benefit so many people.

To all you recruiters, hiring managers and candidates out there, have a vent! Tell me what’s frustrating you in the employment market currently.