Mixed Messages about Jobs (Orlando: 2013, employment, restaurant)

[kyle19125]

Orlando's online job postings fell 4% from a year ago and statewide there was an increase of 12%, yet 2013 is projected to be "rosy" for Orlando....are all of the new jobs not being posted online? The Hospitality Industry is listed as a major player in need of people (to the point of it being competitive among companies) so shouldn't the demand via job postings be up???

Central Florida?s online job postings fall 3.9% in January - Orlando Business Journal
Orlando job growth this year may wipe out net losses since 2007 - Orlando Business Journal

[annerk]

I'd say that at least 30% of available jobs are not advertised--maybe more. I recently changed jobs (sold my company then decided I wasn't ready to retire yet) and had two different companies offer me jobs. One was an existing opening that they were only recruiting through word of mouth, the other was a company that was going to "create a job" for me as they thought I'd bring considerable value to their organization.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by annerk

I'd say that at least 30% of available jobs are not advertised--maybe more. I recently changed jobs (sold my company then decided I wasn't ready to retire yet) and had two different companies offer me jobs. One was an existing opening that they were only recruiting through word of mouth, the other was a company that was going to "create a job" for me as they thought I'd bring considerable value to their organization.

Those are anecdotal examples in a city filled with service sector jobs that are supposedly vying against one another for qualified applicants. Not advertising open positions via a venue that is in some instances free of charge doesn't make sense. Hence the conflicting information regarding a drop in posted jobs and an outlook suggesting more jobs becoming available. Also worth noting the rest of the state overall saw a 12% increase in posted jobs online. Why everywhere else but here???

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Orlando's online job postings fell 4% from a year ago and statewide there was an increase of 12%, yet 2013 is projected to be "rosy" for Orlando....are all of the new jobs not being posted online? The Hospitality Industry is listed as a major player in need of people (to the point of it being competitive among companies) so shouldn't the demand via job postings be up???

Central Florida?s online job postings fall 3.9% in January - Orlando Business Journal
Orlando job growth this year may wipe out net losses since 2007 - Orlando Business Journal

You would think so. But I've noticed from experience of being jobless on accounts these past few years and recent months, you have to actually go in to an employer for the best and more recent changes in employment positions. Not only that Sites such as indeed, monster, careerbuilder, may not have the job posting up, but going to the companies actual site may have the jobs up. So if someone is a pure online job seeker they are cutting their chances of finding something they desire in the Central Florida market vs going in and doing something online.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Those are anecdotal examples in a city filled with service sector jobs that are supposedly vying against one another for qualified applicants. Not advertising open positions via a venue that is in some instances free of charge doesn't make sense. Hence the conflicting information regarding a drop in posted jobs and an outlook suggesting more jobs becoming available. Also worth noting the rest of the state overall saw a 12% increase in posted jobs online. Why everywhere else but here???

I know of half a dozen restaurant jobs open right now (and I'm not in that industry) that are not being advertised. The owners/managers know the type of employee they are looking for, and are performing their search through word of mouth. It makes perfect sense over advertising a position and getting 1000 applications from unqualified people as opposed to using their network to find two or three highly qualified applicants. It's more effective and there's a lot less wasted time.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by annerk

I know of half a dozen restaurant jobs open right now (and I'm not in that industry) that are not being advertised. The owners/managers know the type of employee they are looking for, and are performing their search through word of mouth. It makes perfect sense over advertising a position and getting 1000 applications from unqualified people as opposed to using their network to find two or three highly qualified applicants. It's more effective and there's a lot less wasted time.

This is certainly true. I've witnessed this with certain employers. They don't have time for the BS.

[kyle19125]

So then only Central Florida employers have taken to not posting jobs on the internet based on the decline in numbers, while the rest of the state where job postings are up double digits inexplicably utilize a different approach...??? Hmm, ok.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

So then only Central Florida employers have taken to not posting jobs on the internet based on the decline in numbers, while the rest of the state where job postings are up double digits inexplicably utilize a different approach...??? Hmm, ok.

It's actually logical. The higher the unemployment rate, the easier it is to find applicants through word of mouth, saving the landslide of unqualified applications and expense of advertising.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by annerk

It's actually logical. The higher the unemployment rate, the easier it is to find applicants through word of mouth, saving the landslide of unqualified applications and expense of advertising.

It's actually not logical in comparison to the rest of Florida which is what you're completely missing. Beyond that the unemployment rates are pretty comparable across the state with the exception of the Panhandle.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

It's actually not logical in comparison to the rest of Florida which is what you're completely missing. Beyond that the unemployment rates are pretty comparable across the state with the exception of the Panhandle.

The article about job growth is for the year--many of those jobs are not available right now. That's going to be the difference in a nutshell. I also still think that much of it has to do with unadvertised jobs--which may not be the same in the rest of the state.