Barriers Job Seekers Are Facing in 2024

This year is panning out to be a tough one for finding a new job. According to Jobtest, there’s a 6% decline in hiring outlooks for new graduates. This trend contrasts starkly with the 2022 job market that estimated two job openings for every new graduate. Seeking employment has also become increasingly lengthy, according to TopResume. Whether new graduates or not, job seekers are experiencing a five-to-six-month job hunt.

And job seekers are “feeling the burn” as their efforts to find meaningful, sustainable employment produce lackluster results. Job search fatigue is a real thing.

Multiple factors currently contribute to the challenges in today’s job market. And while you can control some aspects of the process, you can’t control others. Here are a few barriers job seekers face today, and some suggested strategies to combat these obstacles.

The Uncertain Economy

Undoubtedly, our shaky economy plays a huge factor. Companies are more hesitant to hire, are economizing more, and are laying off more employees. However, paradoxically, the uncertainty also pushes candidates to seek more stable work environments.

A Lack of Social Capital

Another barrier for some job seekers is a lack of social capital. Without knowing the right people, it is harder to get a “foot in the door.” While not everyone has the ability, the knowledge, or even the opportunity to build healthy connections, this lack of connections is costly. Anywhere from 70%-80% of jobs are on the “hidden market.”

The Skills Gap

The average shelf life of a hard skill is five years. And as the industry landscape rapidly evolves, that shelf life is getting shorter. The skill requirements for new jobs are becoming more and more specific, blending new hard skills with the (sometimes elusive) soft skills. Job seekers from each generation are struggling to stay up to date. In addition, many entry-level jobs require on-the-job experience, which candidates don’t usually have when searching for entry-level positions.

Advance of Technology

The advancement of AI technology intertwines with the skills gap and the uncertain economy. As companies seek to economize, more and more are turning to technology to boost production, thereby removing jobs from the market. Employers are also turning to technology to automate hiring. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) screen job seekers, perform interviews, help recruiters identify negative non-verbal cues, and ask better, more thorough questions. However, while they save time, ATS sometimes eliminates qualified candidates based on automated prompts that make no exceptions. A human recruiter may never see an application, putting candidates with obsolete hard skills and limited tech savvy at a disadvantage.

Mismatched Expectations 

Another unfortunate barrier is misaligned expectations. While employers sometimes have unrealistic expectations for entry-level roles, candidates also have unrealistic expectations about possible salaries and benefits.

This challenge is tricky to navigate since employees need higher paychecks to combat the rising cost of living. At the same time, employers must watch their bottom line and remain strategic about salaries and benefits. Otherwise, they’re liable to go out of business –which won’t help anyone. 

What Can We Do About It?

Employers  

Employers can make the recruiting process more seamless and accessible by intertwining new technologies with a human touch. Stay personal! Despite the rise in technology, people still work for people. Make sure you’re open about your expectations, skill requirements, and what you offer. Be willing to offer training, certifications, and cross-training to help close the skills gap.

Candidates  

Don’t lose heart. All the challenges make it more necessary for you to be proactive. Focus on keeping your skill sets relevant by researching and practicing the skills required in today’s workforce—including interviewing. Tailor your resume to each application. Find places you can start networking—even if it’s just online. Be open to relocating or trying a new industry.

Another fantastic option for both employers and candidates is partnering with a staffing agency. Staffing agencies like Career Concepts work hard to align the needs of the employer and the candidate. For over 50 years, we have matched the best people with the best employers as we intentionally connect skills, goals, and opportunities. Call us today, and let’s get started!