Irony of city slump – sought after skills even more scarce as candidates wait and watch

Everywhere you go you see long faces as the world waits for the US to decide on whether to bail out the banking system or not.  Yet very few people I have spoken to have been made redundant as a result of the credit crunch – and I speak to a lot of people.  Instead I have clients who are frustrated by the lack of candidates applying for their jobs.

Take the finance sector.  There are hundreds and thousands of jobs for qualified and part-qualified accountants with very few people applying.  It just doesn't stack up! 

What is happening is that the normally active candidate has become passive and is waiting to see which way the wind is blowing.  And the Passive Candidate is elusive and very challenging to recruit. He / she is generally "content" in his/her job, or at least initially believes that they are. This candidate is often appreciated because industry research has proven that they do stay longer at companies and have the least turnover.  And since they are passive, their CV is not in the database of recruiters across the country, and they are less likely to receive constant calls regarding "better" positions.

The Semi Active Candidate says the "right" things, and is trying to initiate a raise with their boss, or get better terms for their employment. They are fishing to find out what is happening in their industry. Rarely will they take your job, and more often than not, they will waste your time. There are a few who are sincerely considering leaving, but are just nervous, and unsure, and they must be treated as the passive candidate, with kid gloves.

The Active Candidate – sometimes this person is the one who is unemployed, has been made redundant or just looking for a step up the ladder. They are often networking and letting the word be known on the street that they are looking. They are being proactive and looking for the new, ideal job. In fact, when they send the CV to you via email, you will be able to notice that there are about 100 other email addresses c.c.: with your own!

Is this what the pundits mean by economic paralysis?  It is not just the banks that are reluctant to lend to each other.  It is companies that are taking advantage of the fear factor of "better the devil you know" that are hanging on to the talent they have in order to squeeze out their competitors. 

Recrion manages recruitment processes for companies to reduce costs, minimise risk and improve service.  We have innovative ways of attracting active and passive candidates directly to the employer and qualifying their level of engagement.  Call us to find out how we do this successfully on 01780 484910 or visit www.recrion.co.uk.