Most companies expect to face hiring challenges throughout the next year, and that translates into a lot of opportunities for workers with the right skills, writes Caleb Yen for Express Employment Professionals.

The problem with finding employees is the increased competition in the job market, as well as the available talent pool not matching a company’s needs.

According to a new poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals, at 40 percent of the companies that have open positions, hiring decision-makers say this is due to a lack of applicants with hard skills (46 percent) and soft skills (39 percent). Furthermore, 31 percent say they lack applicants with relevant experience (31 percent).

Although this is not good news for businesses, it’s great news for anyone looking for a new job.

• Find the Industry that Matches Your Skillset: If you are a skilled worker, you may jump to the top of a recruiter’s list. In this hot labor market, if you’ve been eyeing a good company, it’s time to contact them to see if any positions are available.
• Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Hard skills are usually the subjects you learn in school. Soft skills are the less tangible ones like communication, time management, and listening. Experts are worried about the pandemic’s negative impact on soft skills. If you show up on time, communicate well, and handle your daily tasks, you’re an attractive candidate.
• Know Your Worth: Pay at even entry-level jobs continues to increase, making salary negotiations more important than ever. If you’ve been waiting to ask for that raise or this is your first time coming to the bargaining table after accepting a position, be confident. Your boss won’t want to lose you.

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Express Employment Professionals, the sponsor of VISTA Today’s Hiring Chesco, is in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Its international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. Learn more.

The Chester County – Main Line, PA Express office is located at 215 Lancaster Avenue and serves the Greater Philadelphia area. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit the website, or call 484-329-7930.