SJBiz_HelpWanted_8_22FINAL.qxp_Dept 8 / 9 / 22 12 : 00 PM Page 1 recruiting and retaining top talent . A quick L A B O R search of local vacancies shows that many businesses may be struggling to fill open positions , as some job postings have lin - gered for months . Christina Renna , president and CEO of Chamber of Commerce Southern New Good Help is Jersey , says there’s a variety of reasons contributing to the prolonged vacancies , whether it be applicants being unqualified for the positions they are applying for or just an overall lack of interest in certain Hard to Find jobs over others . “ Since COVID - 19 , employees do not want to settle for a job they do not enjoy , While the labor market continues to post impressive a job that is inflexible , or that does not gains , employers are forced to change their approach to provideadvancement opportunities , ” she finding top talent . says . “ The pandemic changed the way the world views work and I do not see [ By Peter Proko ] that changing any time soon . ” Jeffrey S . Swartz , executive director of the Camden County Workforce Develop - ment Board , likens the current labor situ - ation to the world of real estate . “ In real estate , they say it’s either a buyer’s market or a seller’s market . Right now , I view this as an employee’s market . ” Swartz reasons that today’s workers are no longer solely intrigued by higher pay or a better work / life balance , but in - stead are being driven by maximizing the total package of incentives being offered to them . That mindset has led many em - ployers to find ways to get creative in an effort to make their companies more at - tractive to new hires . “ When people call about a job , the first thing they used to ask was how much does the job pay , ” says Swartz . “ That’s the way we used to look at things , but today it’s not just about the initial com - pensation , but rather the total package . Is this company offering me tuition reim - bursement ? Are they offering a 401K ith disruptions to the Jersey jobs are returning at a faster rate plan ? In addition to a decent starting global supply chain still than the majority of the country . From salary , are they offering me decent health a reality and record - June 2021 to June 2022 , the state saw an care insurance ? ” w high inflation top of increase of more than 207,000 jobs , “ Companies are changing their hiring mind for nearly everyone , the word “ re - equating to a 5.2 % spike . That over - the - practices , benefit packages and offering cession ” has been thrown around a lot year change lagged behind only three more flexibility in their schedules to find lately as uncertainty surrounding the U.S . other states : Nevada ( 6.6 % ) , Texas ( 6.2 % ) talent , ” affirms Kelly West , executive di - economy is causing angst from Wall and Georgia ( 5.4 % ) . rector of the Burlington County Workforce Street to Main Street . Closer to home , unemployment rates Development Board . But , one aspect that analysts are quick in the tri - county region are some of the “ For those that are looking for a good to point to in hopes of avoiding the “ R ” lowest in New Jersey , according to the job , now is a great time , as they are in the word is that the job market continues to most recent data released by the New driver’s seat , ” West continues , adding post massive gains . Those positive strides Jersey Department of Labor and Work - that her organization is working with sev - are especially evident here in New Jersey force Development . Updated figures eral businesses on a daily basis to fill where employment numbers remain on show Burlington County at 2.8 % , Camden openings that offer great pay and great the rise and are nearing their pre - pan - County at 3.7 % and Gloucester County benefits . demic levels . at 3.3 % . Renna also agrees that those looking In fact , a July report from the U.S . Bu - That’s not to say that area employers to make a career change are holding a reau of Labor Statistics shows that New aren’t facing challenges when it comes to lot of the cards these days . “ Job seekers 20 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 12 ISSUE 8 | SouthJerseyBiz.net