How Can Employers Fill Open Positions? By Knowing What Matters Most to Job Seekers

Recent PeopleReady survey reveals how companies can engage with job seekers in the post-pandemic job market

An uncertain economic environment has created a unique disconnect in the job market, according to a recent survey by staffing giant PeopleReady, a TrueBlue company. The survey of over 700 job seekers and over 500 hiring managers across the country reveals some of the current challenges in the labor market along with insights about how employers can attract more job applicants.

Even with a record number of job openings in the U.S., many job seekers say they are struggling with their job search. Over half (54%) of job seekers surveyed said it has been “difficult” or “extremely difficult” to find a job that fits their preferences. Meanwhile, the top reasons that people were looking for a new job include flexibility (44%), higher pay (39%) and job satisfaction (26%).

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The survey results also showed a strong interest among job seekers in additional training and career growth opportunities. When asked what they hope to gain from their next role, respondents were most interested in opportunities for advancement (27%), helping impact people’s lives (25%) and learning new skills (23%).

Businesses seek solutions to address labor shortage

Meanwhile, hiring managers have reported continued difficulty filling roles, with 55% of those surveyed saying that lack of qualified candidates is their top challenge. As a result, many companies have had to scale back their operations or reduce their hours or services. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said that their business has been impacted by the labor shortage.

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“Having too many open positions often has profoundly negative consequences for businesses — including additional overtime costs, reduced productivity and higher employee turnover,” said Taryn Owen, President and COO of TrueBlue. “Employers navigating this unpredictable climate need to explore different ways to reach prospective candidates. Temporary staffing jobs, especially when combined with technology like mobile apps, help employers fill their open roles quickly while giving job seekers more flexible options and the opportunity to develop new skills.”

The use of temporary workers has become an increasingly common method for employers who need to supplement their workforce. In the survey, 63% of hiring managers say that temporary workers have been an “important” or “extremely important” part of their workforce during the past year. Technology has been the key to reaching these candidates: 87% of hiring managers who use a staffing app say their usage has grown.

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