The term "shortage of skilled workers" hovers like a sword of damocles about local companies. For many positions, it is almost impossible to find interested parties. Professor tim weitzel, an information systems specialist at the university of bamberg, explains what this means for applicants and what they still need to bear in mind: mr. Weitzel, the shortage of skilled workers seems to be omnipresent – what's the problem?? Tim weitzel: there are too few candidates, and those who are there are not always sufficiently qualified. Today, we have less than half as many apprentices as we did in 1950. At the same time, the jobs have become more demanding and more complex than before. They make significantly more savings as a result. But it is becoming more difficult to find people who fit into them.
Why is that?? On the one hand, applicants are becoming clearer that they have a value. There is a tilted balance of power. In the meantime, companies are looking for employees more urgently than the other way around. This is not true for all areas and tasks. But for scarce profiles like business information scientist it is especially true. Particularly in small and medium-sized businesses, more than half of the positions are no longer available or are difficult to fill.
What is the situation in upper franconia?? We know from many interviews that the main challenges for companies in the region are finding and retaining good employees.
The world of work is becoming more complex: what new tasks have been added?? Today, in addition to purely technical requirements, you also have to be able to work in a team and have good communication skills. That's because more complex jobs require so many skills that no longer fit into one person at all. Typical complex tasks are now solved in teams. 20 years ago, hard skills were more in demand, because many people could theoretically do the work alone. Today, companies are looking for social skills in addition to purely professional excellence. So the requirements have become more rough and ready.
Some recruiters say many applicants are not up to the increased requirements: is the education system lagging behind?? There are two other problems. On the one hand, the birth rate is still too low. On the other hand, many of the additional skills, such as social and communication skills, are difficult to teach and learn. Although this is attempted in school. But there is skepticism about the extent to which these skills can really be built. It's often a matter of personality whether someone can open up to others – and that's seldom the case.
Ideal type: highly talented ramp sow? (laughs) ideally, there is a data scientist who can program well and is a ramp sow.
The shortage of skilled workers is the same in all industries? The IT sector is particularly affected. But a lot has already happened there. She was forced to be innovative early on. Using employees as ambassadors for your company has been common practice there for a long time. The situation is somewhat different in the retail sector, where it is relatively easy to find employees.
Many vacancies, few interested parties: sounds easy for job seekers. What do applicants still need to keep in mind?? A lot. The applicant must be aware that he or she is a scarce resource. Example of an interview: in the past, the company checked whether it could accept the applicant. Today, the applicant also considers whether the company is a good fit for him or her. More than every second person has already turned down a job offer because they realized: I don't fit in there.
Company car or work-life balance: what is important to young people?? 20 years ago, job security was one of the most important requirements for the new job. Today, working conditions and corporate culture have become much more important. People want a job where they can contribute, where they can grow, where there is a good working environment and where they are valued. The salary also plays a role, but a subordinate one.
Cover letter, resume, references: what does today's application still look like?? Most recruiters still expect the resume. But there is a tendency for the cover letter to become less important. Many people today want to apply through mobile channels, and a comprehensive cover letter is only a hindrance. And: how meaningful is it at all?? One in seven applicants has never seen his or her own cover letter because it was written by a friend or relative. It could disappear in the future. The less manipulable and more meaningful network information is becoming more important. For example via platforms like monster, xing and linkedin.
Can young applicants still get around such professional networks?? How can a recruiter who is looking for candidates find them?? He chooses channels he knows, for example linkedin and xing. Many members are registered there. So it makes sense to create a profile there if you want to be found.
How many applications does the average young professional write?? That is very different. Half of the candidates say that they do not want to apply massively at all. Instead, they upload their resumes on monster or other professional networks and wait to be approached by companies. Of course, this is easier if you have data scientist or business informatics in your profile, rather than something that is further away from direct market needs.
The first hurdle is taken: you are invited to join the team. The personal conversation is the be-all and end-all, but it costs many people a lot of effort. What needs to be considered? In first interviews, job starters often make the mistake of asking first about money and vacation, rather than the content of the job. This does not send the right signals. Often there is also the case that applicants call beforehand to ask a question. But often they don't have a specific question to ask. Sometimes applicants don't know about their own resumes either. The same is true for recruiters, by the way.
What awaits visitors to the personnel forum? Applicants and companies are pulling in the same direction. Therefore, applicants also benefit from such a forum. The better both sides understand each other, the less chance there is for misunderstandings to occur. Both sides are ultimately interested in getting together well.