The job market is currently in a position of a huge lack of applicants and an overwhelming amount of jobs to be filled. This is putting job seekers in a position of power over recruiting and hiring practices.

The results of the COVID-19 pandemic are that historical highs of employees have quit or retired their jobs, pushing employers to offer higher wages, sign on bonuses, additional benefits, and to consider a wider variety of candidates than before. Since 2019, the amount of job listings posted with “no experience necessary” and “hiring urgently” have skyrocketed.

New Expectations

“The pandemic has changed how people want to work and what they expect from their employer, as exemplified by the recent boost in wages and benefits offered by large fast-food chains,” said Mathieu Stevenson, CEO of Snagajob.

“Many restaurant and hospitality workers had to change industries to find competitive work at a livable wage—moving to industries like warehousing and on-demand delivery. The restaurant and hospitality industries are now having to compete with the wages and benefits offered by other industries like never before. It is a great time to level up for workers who want to find a new, higher-paying position.”

#ReadyToWork?

Although we are amid the strongest quarterly hiring outlook since 2000, health concerns, childcare challenges, and competition are what keep millions of Americans from bring ready to work. Becky Frankiewicz, president of ManpowerGroup North America explained that this lack of a workforce encourages job seekers to “shop around” for jobs that are flexible and competitive in pay. She also says now is the time for employers to get creative to attract talent, “and to hold onto the workers they have.”

Many businesses are only partially reopening and turning down work as a result of this unprecedented workforce shortage, explains Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Other incentives to encourage employees to return to work, besides sign on bonuses and perks, include work-from-home flexibility and worker vaccination requirements.

For more details, visit this article from SHRM. To view our open job postings, visit our Current Jobs page.