Marathon Staffing

What is Making Finding Candidates More Challenging Blog Picture

What is Making Finding Candidates More Challenging?

Many employers may currently be struggling with hiring. Between not knowing where to invest resources and candidates not getting back to you, it can be hard to navigate this new reality.

According to SHRM’s 2026 Talent Trends report, “[a]mong the HR professionals experiencing recruiting challenges, half (53%) said that recruiting had become more difficult compared with one year ago.” The same report highlighted that “nearly 70% of HR professionals still face challenges recruiting for full-time positions.”

Amid all of this, it’s fair to say that the hiring landscape has changed in recent years. Organizations using talent sourcing methods that have always worked are now likely running into low apply rates and candidates who are simply not a good fit.

So, what is causing this disconnect between employers and job seekers? A big part of this are changes in how people interact with technology, including how they apply to jobs.

Advances in technology have made processes faster and more efficient. With employers competing against each other for candidates’ attention, you want to reach job seekers as quickly as possible and get them to apply.

Investigate: 3 Problem Areas That Employers Should Review

  • The Expectation of Fast Communication
    In an era when people have grown accustomed to getting fast deliveries and even faster responses, they will also look for this in the organizations they are applying to.

    Chat options on websites, automated messages, and AI-powered tools have certainly made this more possible for teams of all sizes.

    However, areas of opportunities may lie in who connects with job seekers first, which includes answering their questions, interview scheduling, and even making that highly anticipated job offer.

  • Navigating Clunky Processes
    Another aspect that could be impacting the number of candidates applying for a position is the application process itself. Investing in a more streamlined hiring approach could help reduce the number of drop-offs.

    If your current hiring process contains outdated designs, confusing prompts, or extra steps, then job seekers will simply opt for more approachable alternatives elsewhere.

  • Job Transparency Gaps
    Another aspect that could be making the difference between getting resumes and losing applicants is that you’re not being fully transparent with the role.

    Candidates want to know what it is they are applying to. Transparency will help your ads reach qualified candidates and reduce the number of applies from those who aren’t suitable for the role.

    You want to use language that is relevant to the job you’re trying to fill, as this will increase the chances of your ad reaching the right audience.

    With an estimated 78 million new jobs worldwide by 2030, as reported by the World Economic Forum, employers are faced with the difficulty of finding talent solutions that keep up with these changes.

How Can a Staffing Partner Help?

When your current methods are still not translating into candidates, the next step for your team may be to work with a staffing partner who will find the talent you need.

  1. Faster Hiring
    With over 35 years of experience in hiring, we have developed long-standing networks and proven processes that allow us to place talent quickly with limited interruptions to your operations.

  2. We Handle all Communication
    Forming relationships between employers and job seekers in today’s world requires more touchpoints than ever before. Having Marathon as a staffing partner means less time calling candidates and more time on your main activities.

  3. Sourcing is Our Specialty
    Finding candidates is only half the challenge. We make sure that the candidates presented to our client partners are qualified for the positions they are looking to fill.

  4. Added Flexibility
    Your organization’s needs can vary throughout the year, making staffing highly complementary to your existing recruiting efforts. Whether you’re looking for temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire services, or are ramping up for a busy season, we work with you to determine the best approach.

    We scale accordingly, reducing any additional hiring stress or work on your end.

  5. Staying Ahead of Today’s Labor Market Trends
    Staying up to date on current industry and labor market happenings allows us to assist with placements in an effective and efficient manner.

    At Marathon, we leverage our knowledge while taking into account our client partner’s individual placement goals.

Ready to level up your talent strategy?

Marathon Staffing can help you connect with qualified candidates faster, reduce hiring delays, and keep your business moving forward with minimum disruptions. Contact our team today to learn how we can support your hiring goals.

Written by:
Naomi Raices
Marketing Coordinator
[email protected]