Currently, economic signs are starting to look up. Just today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the economy added 223,000 jobs in April and the overall employment is 5.4%, the lowest it has been it 7 years. Now amidst all the merger mania, and news of layoffs that continue to permeate our collective psyche in the Life Sciences, one puzzling question remains: if layoffs are so abundant, why can’t I find good quality candidates?
The answer to that question is complicated. First of all, layoffs aren’t increasing in the life science sector. A recent article by Genetic Engineering and Technology News stated that the pace of layoffs in 2014 slowed 20% compared with the previous two years. Moreover, John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an employment firm, noted that “2015 should be relatively benign in terms of layoffs and relatively strong in terms of job growth.” Secondly, we continue to find that given feelings of marketplace uncertainty, candidates have become more cautious and deliberative in their decision making processes. As hiring processes drag on – the talent that clients truly want – those that aren’t actively looking, become disinterested over time and are more apt to turn down offers if too much time elapses from the initial interview until the offer. Furthermore, lengthy processes can often result in other employers swooping in with other opportunities or counteroffers from their current employer. In any case, with the passage of time, no benefit to the client from a hiring perspective can come of it.
Another final factor affecting the success of the hiring is not only the length of time of the overall process, but what is communicated to the candidate. Potential Red Flags may be inadvertently expressed to candidates, resulting in their disinterest in either your company or the role after the interview. Read the enclosed article to avoid those communication pitfalls.
So, let us work with you to streamline your hiring processes and communicate the right messages to allow you to capture those impact players before your competition does.