The Buyer's Employment Market

You know the saying in real estate, "It's a Buyer’s Market"? Every time I write a resume for someone or discuss the employment environment, that statement pops into my mind only I’ve modified it to, “It’s a Buyer’s Employment Market”.

It's exasperating that qualified, eager job seekers practically have to stand on their heads to get anyone to notice them and their qualifications. An employer has the luxury of choosing a candidate that best meets the needs of his or her organization; that's a given. Of course they want a highly qualified applicant who can do the job and fit into the company culture. Unfortunately some employers go a little bit further when trying to decide if an employee really wants the job and either intentionally or not, play head games. Perhaps they may not call back after saying with certainty that they will, or maybe they’ll throw in an odd-ball question such as "If you were a color, a, bird, an animal or a movie star, what would you be?" I know, I know, some of those questions have merit but they don’t need to be used for every job opening.

I’m guessing that these “Buyers” don’t consider the underlying consequences of their actions; the desperation, fear, home foreclosure, depleted medications, family arguments, sleepless nights, and constant, encompassing worry. That’s not their problem. What they also don’t see is the first class ingenuity, budgeting, leadership, decision making and problem solving that goes on behind the scenes as an applicant tries to balance his or her life. These are areas that make a difference.

The Buyers Employment Market is eroding the confidence of a generation of job seekers. The skill sets are there but the dance to get the job is not for everyone. I suggest that these employers lighten up, learn how to interview properly and show some compassion because to use another expression, “You never know when the shoe will drop”.