Every week, we conduct a poll of recruiters all across the country. In most cases, these poll questions are related to an issue that recruiters are dealing with right NOW. Sometimes these issues are specific, but sometimes they’re broader in nature. While last week’s poll question falls into the latter category, it’s one that’s certainly relevant.
Here is that question:
Is it tougher to be a recruiter now than it was five years ago?
The choice of answers that we provided is listed below, along with the percentage of recruiters who selected each one:
- Yes, it’s much tougher—44.5%
- Yes, it’s a little tougher—18.5%
- No, it’s about the same—24.4%
- No, it’s a little easier—5.0%
- No, it’s much easier—1.7%
- I wasn’t a recruiter five years ago—5.9%
As you can see, the majority of recruiters who responded indicated that they felt it’s tougher to be a recruiter now. In fact, the combined percentage of those who believe it’s “much tougher” and a “little tougher” stands at 63%.
About a quarter of participants (24.4%) are of the opinion that being a recruiter is as tough as it was five years ago. Then there are those who think being a recruiter is easier now. There aren’t too many of them, as you might imagine—only a combined total of 6.7%.
In fact, nearly as many poll respondents (5.9%) weren’t even in the recruiting profession five years ago. Ergo, they have no frame of reference and aren’t in a position to offer a comparison.
We didn’t ask recruiters for the specific reasons that recruiting is tougher now than in 2006, but don’t worry: we plan to tackle those reasons in a future poll. (We’re as curious as you to find out what the number-one reason is.)
In the meantime, what are your thoughts? Is recruiting tougher now? If so, why is it tougher? What has a tougher environment meant for both you and your recruiting business? If you’re one of the 6.7% who believe that recruiting is easier now, what has led you to that conclusion?