To Be a Specialist or Generalist? The Case for Each

A recent study by TalentDrive analyzed reactions to the current job market by 79,000 job seekers and 20,000 employers. The most interesting part of the study certainly wasn't that 71% of job seekers are pessimistic about their career search. We've all been a little doom and gloom about the economy, unemployment, and the tedious recruitment process. The most fascinating part of the study was why certain candidates weren't hired.

It turns out that 71% of hiring managers were looking to fill "specialized positions" while 61% of job seekers considered themselves to have "broad skill sets." The reason for this is most likely the fact that there are very few vacant positions right now that require a core skill focus. For instance, a company might be looking to hire a software programmer who has an advanced knowledge of C++, instead of just another software programmer. It's harder to fill a specialist position, but they are in more demand, so it's important to become an expert at something!