The Insider Archive
Connecting the Employment Disconnect
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 5 - December 6, 2007
The hunt is on for a new position. Whether you are an employer looking to fill an open position or a job seeker looking to make your next career move, one thing is for sure: finding the right fit is no easy process.
Creative industry employers in the Philadelphia Region, from web design to IT to communication companies, have told Innovation Philadelphia that they have a hard time finding skilled, creative talent. Creative professionals, who are seeking jobs within the creative industries, have said they cannot find jobs in the region. So where is the disconnect?
Innovation Philadelphia set out to find the answer to this question – and went directly to the source. We interviewed creative job seekers and creative employers during two Innovation Forums recently hosted by Innovation Philadelphia. The findings were surprising and demonstrate a clear disconnect between job seekers and the employers.
Job Seekers: How do you find jobs? The hunt for creative positions
Job seekers in the creative industries reported that they primarily use job fairs and job websites to find employment. "The challenge with general job websites, such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, is that employers often mislabel job titles. Some employers post advertising, sales, public relations, or marketing jobs as if they are interchangeable. They are very different positions," said one job seeker participating in an Innovation Forum.
Job seekers within the creative industries prefer websites that target creative talent, such as Guru.com, a national creative database, and MediaBistro.com. These websites were described as very "user-friendly" where job seekers can search by specific location and job categories. Other website favorites included creative organization job banks, such as AIGA, PANMA and PRSA.
After learning where the job seekers were looking for jobs, Innovation Philadelphia questioned the creative industry employers to find out how they locate talent.
Employers: How do you find employees? The hunt for creative talent
There was an overwhelming response from the employers participating in the Innovation Forum that personal references and existing employee referrals are the primary methods they use to identify new talent.
Placing ads and enlisting help from recruiters were not the most desirable ways to fill jobs. "We cannot afford to make mistakes. Placing ads on general job websites leaves too much room for our firm to hire someone who is not a good a fit," said one employer at the Innovation Forum
It is not difficult for employers to find those individuals who have the textbook and technical skills. "The challenge is finding the employee with the technical skills and soft skills. Interpersonal skills and the appropriate personality that fits in with my current employees and with my clients are vital to our success," said an employer at the Innovation Forum.
Bridging the Gap
Networking is key. Increasing professional contacts is crucial for job seekers to link with creative companies who will employ them, and critical for employers to fill their positions.
Enhance your resume. When developing resumes, it is important for job seekers to include not only their technical skills and qualifications, but also soft skills that will help them stand out from other candidates.
Developing a unique job search engine is essential. When asked, both job seekers and employers agreed that a regional "clearinghouse" for creative opportunities and jobs would be a positive step in placing creative talent. An accompanying glossary of job titles and job descriptions would eliminate mislabeling jobs and provide a legitimate place to search for talent.
We want to hear from you. Are you currently seeking a job in the creative industries? Are you an employer looking for talent in Philadelphia? Tell us what you think on our Innovation Blog. (jobseekers click here) (employers click here)