I am starting to think the reason companies can’t find employees has less to do with talent shortages
Because apparently requiring: senior-level experience, junior-level pay, immediate availability, flawless communication, culture fit, startup energy, corporate polish and “passion” for one position is somehow considered reasonable now.
Then leadership says: “We just can’t find employees.”
Right.
IMO companies spent years optimizing hiring around filtering people out, and now they’re confused why good candidates disappear halfway through the process.
The market changed. Candidate tolerance changed. People are less willing to jump through hoops for companies that show zero signs of respect or stability.
And honestly, good for them.
The most ironic part is watching organizations reject perfectly capable applicants while simultaneously complaining about labor shortages in the same meeting.
Modern hiring feels like self-sabotage with spreadsheets