Why Is It So Hard to Find Workers Right Now?

Though the height of the COVID-19 pandemic is years behind us, its effects on employment linger. The major shifts in employment, both forced and chosen, have impacted how people want to work and how many are available in the workforce. Combined with several other recurrent factors, it's no wonder that today’s employers are having a hard time filling positions, while at the same time, unemployed folks are having a hard time finding jobs. What gives?

Where Are The Workers?

According to surveys and estimates, today’s workforce is far less numerous than it was directly prior to the pandemic. What happened? Where did the workers go? When many were forced to step out of the workforce during the pandemic, some didn’t return. This could have been due to an early or planned retirement, increased caregiving responsibilities, or other pressing factors. Likely some individuals reassessed their lives and decided that two incomes were no longer necessary in their family. Everyone has their own story. But the general truth is that there are less people hunting for jobs than there were in prior years. 

According to experts, even if all the unemployed folks out there found jobs, there would still be plenty of open positions, since there are more job openings than there are job seekers. This places a clear advantage on the workers’ side. They can be more choosy, more firm on their requirements for pay, benefits, and flexibility, and less likely to take the first open job that comes their way. Some have opted for gigwork or part-time positions instead of full-time jobs or have decided to enter a different industry.

One key factor that impacts the amount of available workers is a generational one–there are simply less people being born every year. The Baby Boomer generation brought exponentially more adults into the workforce than subsequent generations. Many of these individuals are now exiting the workforce; some willingly, others out of necessity or under duress during the pandemic. Whatever the case, there are large numbers of folks leaving the working ranks, and less coming up behind them to fill the positions they’ve left vacant.

On top of the generational, demographic, and pandemic related reasons, the rise of digital commerce and social media and the opportunity to make a living in a totally different and independent way has become more appealing. Many younger generations dream of becoming a social media content creator or influencer. Gone are the days of going into the same line of work as a parent or grandparent, and so those built-in future workers are no longer waiting in the wings. 

Another reason why workers aren’t clamoring to fill open positions? They’ve created their own! Many have joined the entrepreneurial ranks, with hundreds of thousands of new business applications being filed over the past few years. Today’s workers are less likely to take a job they don’t want to do and are more ready than ever to strike out on their own.

Technical Search Consultants Is Your Staffing Agency

Trying to find that just-right employee to fill open positions could feel like a neverending task. If it seems like there are less qualified candidates available, you probably aren’t wrong. That’s where Technical Search Consultants comes in and saves the day, with screened and vetted job seekers in key industries who can keep your business running smoothly. If it’s harder than ever for you to find the workforce your business demands, turn to Technical Search Consultants for experienced job recruitment–contact us today!