11 Challenges in Talent Acquisition (and How to Solve Them)

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There are some challenges in talent acquisition. Because of technological advancements and the continuous development of new jobs, the workforce is a fluid environment that is always changing. This article will feature on challenges in talent acquisition and how to get rid of them.

As a recruiter, you must keep up with developments in the job market and be prepared to tackle the problems that will inevitably arise during the hiring process. Staying ahead of the game and being prepared to make changes as needed can help you identify the best candidates for the position.

Challenges in talent acquisition (and how to solve)

In the last month, 14.8 percent of the workforce in the United States applied for unemployment compensation. According to some estimates, the COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in the unemployment of about 12% of employees worldwide. Current attempts to contain the virus are expected to reduce global GDP by 2% every month, or 24% for the year, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a pace of economic contraction not seen since the Great Depression.

Despite the fact that the economy appears to be in bad shape right now, the Congressional Budget Office predicts that most companies would reopen by late 2020, culminating in an employment boom. Companies that handle existing and new recruitment issues now will be in the best position to emerge from the recession with a healthy talent pipeline.

1. Recruiters are too fussy when it comes to what they desire

Dealing with customers who don’t realize that search is a collaborative process is the most difficult challenge recruiters encounter… Some recruiting managers, particularly in highly technical industries, believe that sharing information or comments with recruiters isn’t worth their time (‘because they won’t comprehend). This is a serious issue since, without input, the outcomes would always be zero.

2. Bringing Automation and Oversight Together

While automation and technology save time for recruiters, an over-reliance on technology can lead to even more difficulties in the recruiting process. Programming is the limiting factor in automation. You could lose out on exceptional — and otherwise qualified — talent if you configure your technology to favor individuals with a college degree, for example.

“Automation saves time when it comes to identifying candidates,” adds Glickel. “However, the human connection is considerably weakened.” The ideal candidate isn’t always great on paper, but pre-programmed technology can’t tell. It’s critical to back up your recruitment technology with good old-fashioned human monitoring.

Examine the applications and resumes that your technology rejects to improve its accuracy. This will assist you in determining where the programming and keyword criteria may be fine-tuned in order to locate the best applicant for the job.

3. Recruiters don’t always have the necessary technical knowledge.

[It’s a difficulty] to understand the technical job specifications and convey them to passive candidates… We don’t have answers to all of their questions when we’re attempting to pitch passive applicants for esoteric tech positions. As a result, it’s difficult to keep them interested.

4. Rejecting the Wrong Candidates

Rejecting the incorrect prospects is an often-overlooked recruitment problem. Recruiters waste a lot of time weeding out candidates who aren’t qualified or likely to succeed in the position, as the challenges in talent acquisition.

This takes time away from applicants who might be an excellent match for the job. Although intentionally repelling applicants may seem contradictory, it provides a better outcome than enticing everyone – and not having enough time for anybody.

Even if their skill sets aren’t a good match, people frequently apply for jobs. Collins recommends using “knock-out” questions to verify essential abilities at the start of the application. This allows applicants to self-select out of the process early on, ensuring that neither recruiters nor candidates waste time on a bad fit.

When it comes to job postings, go for honesty. Being upfront about the disadvantages of your available roles will help you screen candidates, but it will not prevent the right person from applying. Your negatives will be viewed as stimulating challenges by the appropriate individual who is enthusiastic about the position and determined to achieve.

5. Applicants are being snatched up by competitors

Connections were important in the recruitment industry, and building business ties required time. That is still true, but with employment available at the touch of a mouse, candidates frequently interview you in the same way that you interview them. To put it another way, you may need to wow them with what the work has to offer and how swiftly you can accomplish it.

Businesses understand the importance of having competitive employment offerings that include paid time off, benefits, flexibility, and other perks. Your employer should provide competitive compensation, as well as flex time and opportunities for advancement.

Professionals entering the job market are aware of their value and are unlikely to accept a lower-paying offer when a better one is available. Be willing to compromise. After all, you get what you pay for, and the same is true when it comes to recruiting new staff.

6. Getting a Glimpse into Candidate Communication

Recruiting issues include knowing when to communicate with candidates and what to say. Transparency and maintaining an open line of communication are the best practices. In the aftermath of a recession, for example, your employment opportunities may swiftly fill up. “Do we keep grooming applicants even if we aren’t hiring?” ” Grossman inquires. He affirms that the answer is yes.

Keep your talent pools updated since you’ll be hiring again. Spend time creating content that is valuable to your candidates when you aren’t actively hiring. This may be in the form of career advice or anecdotes about your coworkers.

Transparency and communication are also important for applicants in the recruiting process. It’s critical to stay in touch even if a hiring decision hasn’t been made. “The worst blunder is not speaking up,” adds Grossman. “Keep that communication channel open, even if there isn’t much to say.”

Since you’ll be hiring again, keep your talent pools up to date. When you aren’t actively hiring, spend time generating material that is useful to your applicants. This might be in the form of career counseling or workplace tales.

Transparency and communication are also crucial in the hiring process for applicants. Even if a hiring decision hasn’t been made, it’s essential to keep in touch. Grossman continues, “The biggest error is not speaking up.” “Even if there isn’t much to say, keep that communication line open.”

Recruiters may struggle to find time to communicate with each applicant in the pipeline, resulting in the loss of quality candidates. A robust applicant tracking system (ATS) is critical for addressing the recruiting problems that come with a large intake of prospects.

Using an applicant tracking system (ATS) or other communication tools to centralize communication helps recruiters to work together to nurture a large number of applicants. Keeping track of what information has been obtained from each applicant and when it was recorded assists recruiters in managing data and ensuring that the candidate’s channel of contact remains open.

Recruiters may also improve their day by automating low-touch, repetitive activities, according to Collins. Without becoming overloaded, a chatbot function may assist recruiters in answering simple inquiries and gathering relevant information from prospects.

8. Branding is lacking.

It’s possible that you’re trying to hire staff for a wonderful firm. However, you are less likely to locate qualified applicants if the candidates have never heard of the firm and it does not have a significant internet presence as challenges in talent acquisition.

Consider working smarter, not harder, as you try to grow your brand. This indicates that you should make use of the resources you currently have. Request that your present employees enhance your company’s internet exposure by writing positive evaluations.

Before applying for a position with your firm, a prospective employee will conduct research. They are less likely to be interested in working for your company if your internet presence is minimal or, worse, detrimental.

9. Delivering a Non-Valuable Interview Experience

As a recruiter, you understand how important first impressions are. When potential prospects walk-in for an interview, it is just as essential for the firm to make a strong first impression as it is for the potential applicant.

Candidates evaluate the workplace atmosphere and tone created during the interview when they come in for an interview. Whether you are a member of the interview team or not, it is critical that everyone engaged in the interview remembers the importance of making a good first impression, challenges in talent acquisition.

This may be accomplished by emphasizing the unique and advantageous elements of working for your firm. After all, the professional relationship is one in which both parties benefit. If they are hired for the position, the candidate wants to know they will be working in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.

10. Identifying Candidates with the Appropriate Skills

When you’re searching for a new employee, you have a certain skill set in mind, but locating job searchers with the proper qualifications may be tough. Candidates are either inexperienced or have experience in the incorrect field. How do you go about finding the right person for the job?

You don’t always need someone with the precise skill set you’re searching for, especially when technological talents are always changing. Fowler points out that knowledge has an 18-month half-life. Instead, look for individuals that have soft talents that will be beneficial regardless of how the job evolves.

Look for talents that will last a lifetime, such as learnability, communication ability, and flexibility. Technical abilities, for example, may not be ideal for a civilian company, but qualities like loyalty and the ability to execute under pressure are considerably more essential.

If you can’t locate someone with your ideal skill set, look for people who have a can-do attitude and are willing to take on new challenges. Look for training programs and changes that will help individuals get ready for the duties that come with their job. Offer in-house mentoring and training opportunities whenever feasible to assist them to get up to speed. According to Fowler, employers must be willing to cross-train and teach the suitable applicant. “Technical abilities are simpler to teach than soft skills or motivators.”

11. A Hiring Process That Is Delayed

Providing organizations with excellent prospects that stand out from the crowd is one of the most important success indicators for a recruiter. However, both recruiters and organizations have a common hiring stumbling block: waiting too long to employ because they are seeking the right applicant. They don’t exist, to be honest.

This might cause the recruiting process to be delayed if you have a great applicant in mind for a position but are afraid to advance due to a lack of experience. As a result, you’re more likely to lose a good applicant to a rival.

Why do these challenges recruiters face? Because many employers realize that even if a candidate lacks substantial job experience, they are likely an eager worker who is eager to learn new skills and expand their knowledge. So, as you go through the recruiting process, keep moving quickly. Otherwise, you’ll certainly lose out on some excellent employees just because you couldn’t decide.

Take away

Recruiting may be difficult and these are the challenges recruiters face. However, by learning from the experiences of others in your industry, you’ll realize that you’re not alone in any of your problems.

Maintain contact. Whether it’s a weekly email newsletter to your talent pool or a text message informing a candidate that their application has progressed to the next step, be honest and transparent about where you’re at. Continued contact keeps prospects interested in your company and establishes the foundation for a successful relationship.

That’s why, whether it’s online, through your personal networks, at a conference or event, or at that fictitious recruiter’s bar if I ever decide to create one, it never hurts to ask for help and guidance. You have a wealth of materials at your disposal (including this blog!) that can assist you in doing your work even better. All you have to do is know where to look.

We hope this aritle on challenges in talent acquisition will work for you.