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Are Employers Expecting Too Much?
There are millions of unemployed workers who are eager to find a job. Yet, there are companies still finding it difficult to fill vacancies. What is going on? Is it possible that we are not educating or training the labor force with the right skill sets that meet the society’s needs? Is it because employers are finding it challenging to screen the enormous amount of applicants for every vacant position?
According to this Wall Street Journal interview with Peter Cappelli, a Wharton School professor, there might be another possibility — employers now have a different level of expectations. In my interpretation, employers are probably expecting too much from job candidates.
Some employers, for example, no longer want to invest in new hires. In the old times, employers were usually willing to hire candidates with good attitude and great leadership potential. Then, they would train new hires the technical skills needed at work and even let them spend time adjusting to the new organizational culture. Now, employers would rather let others do the training for them by hiring a well-established candidate who has had substantial experience in the field. They want to hire someone who can plug in and do the job immediately. In addition, employers also expect new hires to do more by adding new requirements and responsibilities, making few candidates qualified for the position. If a position is not filled, the work can be done by other employees and thus, save more labor costs.
While this new hiring practice may help employers save money in the short term, I argue that it may cost more in the long term for a company and the society as a whole. I believe that job searching and hiring-selection is a fair game. While employers are selecting the best fit candidate, job seekers are also looking for the best fit boss. If an employer does not want to invest in new hires, why would any new hire want to invest in the employer or even feel committed to the job? Furthermore, if we look at the big picture (e.g. in the industrial level), since no one is willing to train or develop new hires, companies will end up fighting with each other for the same group of talent who has already felt less committed to their employers. One company’s gain becomes another company’s lost. Retention management and external recruits will become more expensive and difficult, which would eventually offset the training and development cost being saved.
What do you think? Is it a good strategy for a company to hire a candidate who is already doing the job in another company, or to hire someone with the right background and potential and then develop the new hires?
For job seekers, of course, it is important to understand employers’ new expectations. In addition, they may need to spend more effort and time on job search.
Relevant discussions:
High Unemployment Rate Does Not Mean an Easier Job for Hiring Managers
Tactics of Seeking Jobs on Social Media
References:
The cartoon was downloaded from CartoonStock.com
Mobile Etiquette on Vacation
This morning, I heard from my sister in China that a guy threw a bundle of ¥100 notes to the air in Canton Baiyun International Airport (¥100 RMB ≈ $15 USD). Surprisingly, nobody seemed to care about the money. People pulled out their phones and cameras and started taking pictures. I assume that quite a few of them would have immediately shared the “moment” on the internet.
That is interesting. I wonder if we have become too obsessed with social media. If so, now it is time to remind ourselves the mobile etiquette. Let’s see if you agree to the following “mobile etiquette on vacation” that is discussed in a Fox News video.
- Pay attention to the tour guy. What are some examples of “not paying attention” when the tour guy is talking? In my opinions, these behaviors should be avoided: talking with others or on the phone, having the plugs on the ears, searching information or checking in with the phone, and not following instructions. What else do you think?
- Post pictures of a real person rather than those of a well-known tourist spot. There are many high-quality and professional pictures about those famous spots on the internet already. There is no need to add more unless s/he is also professional photographer. From time to time, I think it is acceptable if one shares a limited number of pictures taken in small places that are not searchable on the internet.
- Ask for permissions before tagging others in a picture. I agree. Most pictures I posted on the internet are about myself (so that I don’t need permissions). Occasionally, I tagged my friends if they were in the pictures with me. Normally, I selected the pictures in which my friends looked good. More importantly, I usually asked for their permissions in advance and always allow others to untag themselves. Likewise, if somebody tags me in a picture that I do not like, I will untag myself. If necessary, I will politely ask my friend to remove the picture on the internet.
- Publish pictures after a vacation is completed because others may feel jealous about the updates, according to this video. Honestly, I have never felt jealous about my friends’ vacations before. Now that I know this etiquette, I will keep in mind that somebody else might feel jealous about my vacation. Personally, I think it would be fine if one uploads the pictures at the end of a day (during or after a vacation) — if somebody would feel jealous about others’ vacation, s/he would do that anyway, no matter when the pictures are uploaded. Would you agree?
- Do not use tablets or phones in the dark unless one is there by himself/herself. The light from the screen could bother others.
- Use headphones thoughtfully. Headphones need to be taken off when we are talking or listening to others. If traveling in a bus or a plane, we should lower the volume of the headphones because others may feel annoyed by the small noise coming out from a headset.
I believe that etiquette is about being nice and thoughtful to others. I would like to hear your thoughts on “mobile etiquette on vacation.” What do you think? Is mobile etiquette necessary? Is there anything else you would like to add to this list?
Relevant discussions:
