Written by: Alissa Hawkins

Why do some jobs get filled quicker than others?

Why do some jobs immediately get filled while others remain vacant for weeks or months?

There’s a lot that goes into making a hire, and certain positions can lend themselves to a much quicker placement. Some jobs are less competitive than others, and some require years of experience and leadership in order to make an immediate difference, so employers are willing to take the time they need to make sure they find a candidate that fits. 

Here are some more of the reasons we’re seeing jobs sit unfilled for longer.

There’s a change in demographics

There’s been a significant demographic shift going on in this country’s workforce.

Companies are in a unique place right now. For the first time in history, they now have five generations in the workforce. There are different talent and experience levels all applying for the same positions.

This can put a lot of stress on the hiring manager and HR team looking to make that hire because there are many different people applying for one position.

Middle management vacancy
This country is facing a growing skills gap, and the workforce doesn’t have the pool of talent to fill an increasing number of high-skill jobs. 

There are fewer employees with the level of experience that many leadership positions require. Many jobs ask for 10-15 years of experience, and companies are looking for candidates with the business acumen, judgment and maturity needed to work and collaborate with stakeholders. 

To address this, companies may need to look at previously overlooked talent pools or reevaluate their needs and open the door to those with 5-7 years of experience and a willingness to learn. 

A philosophical change

The pandemic has forced businesses to make some significant changes. One of those is how hiring managers approach filling a vacancy.

Managers are looking at candidates, seeing their qualities and skills and even though they may not have the same sort of practical experiences, they are choosing to invest in a candidate to mentor them in this role. 

Hiring requires flexibility 

There are a finite number of people that fit any given role at any given time. Some jobs are filled faster because companies are responding to the marketplace and what it says is acceptable for compensation. 

So, to be competitive requires companies to look at how much they are willing to spend to get the best candidate. There will always be a competitor who is willing to outbid the highest payer. 
There are many different ways to attract the best talent, but in order to win the war for talent, a company is going to need to be flexible.