To discuss talent, your organization’s needs, or anything you read in the article below, email Roberta at roberta@matusonconsulting.com.

Is it just me or is anyone else tired of the excuses executives give when they can’t find talent? Here are six of my favorites.

There are no people out there.

Really? Then explain to me why your competitor has people lining up outside her door waiting to work for her?

There are plenty of people who are willing and ready to work. You have to be worthy of having them. Are you? If not, what can you do to change this?

We’re a best-kept secret.

OK, how’s that working out for you? The reason I always buy Tide detergent is that Procter and Gamble is continuously reminding me why Tide is a better choice than those less-expensive brands.

When’s the last time you tooted your own horn? Do the candidates who reside in your local market even know you exist? If not, it’s time to crank up the volume.

We can’t afford to pay higher wages.

No one likes to spend more than they have to. However, sometimes, you have to bite the bullet and pay the market rate for what you need. If you fail to do so, you’ll find that you’re unable to bring on new clients because you have no one to service them.

Take a look at what it costs you every time an employee leaves your company. You can use my free employee turnover calculator to determine the exact cost to you. Still think you can’t afford to pay higher wages?

Hiring is the responsibility of our HR team.

There’s your problem. HR can’t even fill their own job openings. Do you think they can fill the dozens or, in some cases, hundreds of jobs you currently have open?

We’re in the middle of a talent war here.

Sending a few folks out with some brochures isn’t going to help you win this battle.

You need an entire army of people working in tandem with one another to charge forward and fill jobs. You need everyone on your team to be part of your recruiting machine.

My people tell me that no one wants to work at our location.

If this is true, look at opening a satellite office in a place where it will be easier to pull talent towards you. If it’s not true, then consider where you are looking for talent.

For example, if you’re located in the middle of the country, and you’re recruiting at East Coast schools, you’ll have a hard time convincing people that the Midwest is the place to be. Less so if you’re recruiting at Midwest schools.

I’m sure there are dozens of more excuses as to why jobs are going unfilled. Rather than focus on this, may I suggest that you begin by trying to fill some of these jobs yourself. Email me at and let me know how you fare.