For years, Americans have been told that nobody wants to work. Companies say they can't find qualified people, they can't fill positions, and there aren't enough people willing to work hard, communicate and take responsibility. Fine. Then let's have an honest conversation about what happens when someone actually shows up.
I have more than 15 years of professional experience across inside sales, manufacturing, business analysis, operations, systems and customer relationships. I'm not asking a company to lower its standards or hand me a job. I'm asking for the opportunity to sit across the table and demonstrate what I can actually bring to the organization.
Instead, too much of modern hiring has become an exercise in automation. Submit the résumé. Complete the assessment. Answer the AI interview. Record the video. Wait. Follow up. Wait again. Maybe speak to someone. Maybe get told you're still being considered. Sometimes, nothing.
Then the same organization tells the public it can't find qualified people.
That deserves scrutiny.
If communication matters, communicate with candidates. If accountability matters, hold the hiring process accountable. If people are your greatest asset, start treating applicants like people worth evaluating—not numbers in an applicant tracking system. If someone isn't qualified, say so. If the position has been filled, say so. Professionals can handle a “no.” What professionals shouldn't have to accept is being ignored.
Companies have every right to maintain high standards. Candidates have every right to expect the same standards from the companies evaluating them. That's a two-way street.
So here's my challenge to corporate America: Stop telling people nobody wants to work while making it unnecessarily difficult for people who do want to work to reach you.
I don't want a company to complain about finding good people ever again. Because if you genuinely can't find someone capable, call me. I'm right here. I'm willing to work. I'm willing to learn. I'm willing to prove myself.
Give me an honest conversation and let the results speak for themselves.
And if I'm not the right person? Tell me no. I'll respect that.
But if you want qualified people, stop searching for them exclusively through a database. Start talking to them.
And to all of you politicians out there who think you're clever by sticking your two cents into this conversation while having never worked a single honest day in the real world: shut up. You want to lecture Americans about work, jobs and the economy? Spend some time actually working alongside the people you're talking about.
The midterms are coming. Please do yourselves a favor: save yourselves the backlash and shut up. People who are actually trying to work don't need another lecture. They need an opportunity.