A Recruiter's Struggle with Resume Overflow

Recruitment specialist Kathy Lavinder has become hesitant about publishing job listings.

Specializing in the niche fields of corporate security, intelligence, and investigative positions for 25 years, Lavinder often finds that most candidates lack the precision skills required.

Yet applications keep pouring in.

In past years, she would see a few hundred applications per position, but now, the numbers soar to over 500 for most listings, she mentioned in a discussion with Business Insider.

"It's only gotten worse every time I open up a position," she stated. "What used to be a healthy batch has turned into an overwhelming wave."

It's easy to see why. The slowing job market, especially for office roles, means searches are more prolonged. Moreover, AI now allows candidates to generate tailored résumés nearly instantly.

Lavinder, leading SI Placement as its director, faces industry-specific hurdles — namely the term 'security.'

Her focus is on physical security jobs — those involving the safeguarding of workplace locations, not digital assets. But candidates frequently ignore this distinction.

Despite stating clearly — even in bold — that her listings are not for cybersecurity roles, her inbox fills with IT-oriented applications.

"It's like I'm broadcasting 'This is not about cyber protection,' but they're not listening," she explained.

This disconnect leads Lavinder to estimate that only about 20% of applications align with the job criteria, and sifting through endless mismatched résumés becomes a daunting task.

Avoiding the Flood

Steering clear of public postings helps curb the influx, but it risks missing out on the perfect candidate.

These individuals might excel in their current roles, unnoticed by prospective opportunities.

"The right person might adore this job, yet be oblivious to it," Lavinder remarked. "They're the ones at a disadvantage."

To ensure no potential star is left undiscovered, Lavinder sporadically announces openings, albeit with trepidation, joking that it feels like a lapse in judgment.

Consciously, she predicts that "tomorrow will bring complaints about the flood of applications, and I'll retract the posting."

Shifting back to more personal recruiting strategies, Lavinder now often reaches out directly via messages and phone calls, a method reminiscent of her earlier recruiting days.

"It feels like rewinding a decade in my recruitment methods," she noted. "Is this what we call progress?"

Staying Connected

Using LinkedIn, Lavinder upholds connections across her specialized fields, sharing insights on career development and job market trends.

With around 37,000 LinkedIn followers, she builds a close-knit community, though far from celebrity numbers, it is significant and specialized.

"I don’t have followers like Taylor Swift, but it's still a focused audience," she commented.

While she wishes to disclose more about her current projects to her community, Lavinder often feels compelled to withhold information.

"I believe they’d value a glimpse behind the scenes," Lavinder said. "Yet, I'm increasingly keeping details under wraps."