It’s a phrase we hear from clients all the time “We have so many applicants for this position, we are all set” Only to get a call from them 3 months later with the position still open. How is it that a we can go from 30 or 40 applicants to not having a hire so quickly? Here are some of the top reasons we have compiled over the last decade:
- There is a distinct difference between a job “applicant” and a “recruited candidate”. Applicants are promiscuous; often applying to anything and everything that looks interesting at the moment; and often out of work. Recruited Candidates are working hard for your competitors; confidentially looking to advance their career, and typically only looking at a few opportunities.
- More than 80% of these applicants won’t even have the basic required skills and experience for the position.
- At least 12% won’t respond to your phone call or email at all.
- Ever call an applicant only to have them reply “which position is this for?”. Like we said, promiscuous.
- About 2% will let you know they are only looking to work virtual – and ask, “is this position virtual”?
The numbers are shrinking… Getting nervous yet? We are down to 6% remaining.
- You are competing for an applicant against every other company they applied to.
- 2-4% of applicants won’t be local to your offices or able to relocate. If they say they can relocate the “relocation story” won’t pan out – or they will back out at offer because “the family wasn’t on board”.
- 2-3% won’t fit into your salary range, or their salary expectations will just be completely unrealistic compared to their salary history and market conditions.
That leaves us with what’s left. Allowing for margins of error maybe one or two candidates that could potentially be a fit – if they are still available and interested. Still feeling good about “all the applicants” you have for the position?
Vincent Scaramuzzo is the President of Ed-Exec, Inc. A leading Education Executive Search Firm. He is also a contributing author to various education publications. As a specialist in the education field for over a decade, Scaramuzzo works nationally. He can be contacted at vincent@ed-exec.com 860-781-7641.