We've heard that businesses are finding it hard to find qualitifed new employees. And that is certainly true in the Information Technology profession. But is that due to a lack of qualified applicants? Or that businesses aren't asking the right questions when looking for new employees? According to June 5, 2012 USA Today article, this could be the result of a communication issue.
The article decribes a Beyond.com survey that suggests that poor communications may be the reason for employers not being able to identify viable candidates for job openings. The problems noted include
Job descriptions are too vague and had limited detail.
HR personnel not really understanding what the hiring manager wants.
Looking for specific skills in an individual, instead of taking a more "rounded” look at the candidate.
Overly specific keyword searches screen out many good candidates.
The article suggests that the reasons for these problems are:
Cutbacks in HR departments and staffing firms leave them little opportunity to get detail information from employers.
In addition to what is noted in the article, AITP Association Director Al Strong notes that it is tough to get real references these days. Everyone is afraid of being sued. That is the outcome of the litigious society we have become. Checking someone's background today only means that they may not have had a criminal record or were never bankrupt. Nothing about how they will perform on the job.
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