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Well, not really, but since every post headline seems to be totally polarizing, I thought what the heck!
Now, we consistently read about how each open position gets hundreds of applicants, there are no low wage jobs, entry level positions don't exist... yada, yada, yada... Here's some very direct, personal, experience that flies int he face of that sob story.
Roughly twice per year, I tend to have a "hiring wave". The busy season in my business is Jan-May, and since most of the jobs are commission based, everyone seems to hang around for the good times, then cull off when the first slowdowns hit, so I have a wave of about 5-7% of the workforce in July, then another wave around Nov-Dec to ramp up staff for the busy season.
Generally speaking, I average about 20-25 applicants per job posting - targeting specifically entry-level, minimal experience, personality over education/training (I'd prefer raw material to train myself). Compensation is clearly laid out. That said, it's a low base + commission job, so that does scare people away a little - avg first year income is still mid-30's, with 50's likely by year 3, so it's not a total "low wage job", just low at first. So we have decent wage, training provided, no education/experience requirements = about 20-25 applicants (normally).
November, I posted 5 positions. Grand TOTAL of 35 applicants. Last week, posted another 7 jobs. To date? 5 applicants! Total!
Getting tough out there for employers. Talent pool is thinning out quite a bit - either that, or I'm missing some source of advertising these positions (using Craigslist, local paper online job board, etc.)
So, moral of the story, IMO:
For those of you out there, don't be afraid to try a random industry - there's employers out there that are having a hard time finding people with the right skill set.
If a person lowers his standards low enough, anything is possible.
I wonder what the unemployment rate for illegal aliens picking strawberries for $5 an hour is.
Unfortunately, it is very hard now and days to trust sales jobs due to MLM's advertising their crap so aggressively all over the place looking for "entry level" people.
Got burned a few times too many by these positions, so much so, I don't even look at sales jobs at all anymore.
Surely, I am not the only one.
Unfortunately, it is very hard now and days to trust sales jobs due to MLM's advertising their crap so aggressively all over the place looking for "entry level" people.
Got burned a few times too many by these positions, so much so, I don't even look at sales jobs at all anymore.
Surely, I am not the only one.
I suspect that's one big reason, but I've been battling through that for years. It's also a big reason why I put the name of my company, the website, everything, in the job description. But if people are ignoring the whole category, well, they probably wouldn't enjoy a sales career anyway!
Maybe I'll put "Absolutely not a MLM company" in the next round of Craigslist ads.
If a person lowers his standards low enough, anything is possible.
I wonder what the unemployment rate for illegal aliens picking strawberries for $5 an hour is.
The question is how low do you lower your standards? People still need to make a livable wage and last time I checked the United States isn't a third world country. People working for $5.00 an hour isn't good for the economy (income disparity).
There are definitely jobs out there, and I agree that there are people unwilling to take entry level work because they want more money... (which it's like HELLO take the job and continue looking, gain the experience, and make SOME money in the meantime!)
But I think it's still pretty prevalent that more jobs want more experience and to pay very little.
The question is how low do you lower your standards? People still need to make a livable wage and last time I checked the United States isn't a third world country. People working for $5.00 an hour isn't good for the economy (income disparity).
It's a supply/demand/wage model. The higher the demand for your services, the higher your wage will be. If you don't have a service that is in high demand, then you will have a low wage. The guys picking strawberries are in high supply so the wages are low.
A person demanding a high wage would have to be in high demand or low supply. Otherwise, he'd have to "lower his standards" and accept the low wage.
There are definitely jobs out there, and I agree that there are people unwilling to take entry level work because they want more money... (which it's like HELLO take the job and continue looking, gain the experience, and make SOME money in the meantime!)
But I think it's still pretty prevalent that more jobs want more experience and to pay very little.
Regarding jobs being out there, are you talking in general or in specific regions/cities (were I am, the economy sucks). I agree some people are unwilling to take lower paying jobs, however some employers are unwilling to higher individuals with extensive experience/credentials (grossly overqualified) because as soon as something else presents itself, the underemployed employee will probably leave.
That said, it's a low base + commission job, so that does scare people away a little - avg first year income is still mid-30's, with 50's likely by year 3, so it's not a total "low wage job", just low at first. So we have decent wage, training provided, no education/experience requirements = about 20-25 applicants (normally).
If you're calculating average first year income, are you including those who don't make it that whole year. That is, is the average person you hire making in the mid-30's or are there a whole bunch of people who are making nothing and quit and those who are left are making a decent wage.
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