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New markets, international projects and shortages of skilled labour are changing workforce planning for many companies. The right qualification is not always available in the company’s own region. At the same time, business opportunities often arise faster than new structures can be built.

For companies, this increasingly raises the question of how international employment can be organised sensibly. Companies that want to employ staff in another country do not only need to find suitable candidates. Labour law, taxes, social security, payroll, contract design and administrative processes must also be considered.

Why International Employment is becoming more relevant for Companies

International employment usually results from a specific business need. Companies want to test new markets, support customers locally, implement international projects or gain hard-to-find qualifications outside their own country.

Especially in tight labour markets, looking beyond national borders can significantly expand the candidate pool. At the same time, international employment can help companies respond more quickly to market opportunities.

The challenge, however, is to combine speed with legal certainty. A fast hire is of little value if labour law or administrative questions are only clarified afterwards. International workforce planning should therefore not only be understood as a recruitment topic, but as a strategic decision with several interfaces.

The most Important Challenges in International Employment

1. Local Labour Laws differ significantly

Labour law requirements vary from country to country. Notice periods, holiday entitlements, working hours, probation periods, reporting obligations or special payments can differ greatly depending on the market.

What is common in the home market is not automatically permitted in the target country. Companies should therefore check early which local requirements apply to the planned employment.

2. Payroll, Taxes and Social Security are complex

International employment does not only affect the employment contract. Payroll, tax withholding, social security contributions and possible reporting obligations must also be implemented correctly.

Especially when only individual employees are based abroad, companies often lack internal routine to manage these processes efficiently and reliably. Mistakes can lead to delays, additional payments or uncertainty among employees.

3. Your own Branch Office is not always economically sensible

Setting up your own company or branch office can be an important step if a company wants to operate in a market on a long-term and larger scale.

For individual positions, short-term projects or initial market tests, however, this step is often associated with considerable effort. Company formation, administration, local consulting, accounting and ongoing compliance require time and cost. Companies should therefore carefully assess whether their own structure is already necessary or whether a more flexible model is initially more suitable.

4. Internal Responsibilities are often not clearly defined

International employment affects several areas: HR, legal, finance, the specialist department and management. If it is not clear who checks which questions or makes which decisions, delays arise.

This can become a problem, especially in recruitment. In-demand specialists often make decisions quickly. Long approval processes or unclear employment models can cause suitable candidates to withdraw.

5. The Employee Experience begins before the first Working Day

International employees need clear information: Who is their legal employer? How does salary payment work? Which local regulations apply? Who is the point of contact for administrative questions?

The more transparently these points are communicated, the more professional the entire hiring process appears. International employment is therefore not only a compliance issue, but also part of employer attractiveness.

What Companies should specifically check before International Employment

Companies can manage international employment better if they clarify key questions in advance.

1. Define the Staffing Need precisely

Not every international employment case has the same objective. Is it a permanent position, a short-term project assignment, local market expertise or the first step into a new market?

The clearer the objective is, the easier it is to decide which employment model is suitable.

2. Analyse the Target Country early

Before candidates are approached or offers are made, the most important framework conditions in the target country should be known. These include labour law, contract type, salary components, taxes, social security and possible reporting obligations.

An early review reduces the risk that processes have to be redesigned or offers adjusted later.

3. Assess your own Resources realistically

International employment requires internal capacity. HR, legal and finance have to answer questions, coordinate processes and handle ongoing tasks.

Companies should therefore check whether the necessary resources are available internally or whether external support could be useful.

4. Consider Costs and Effort holistically

International employment is not only about salary and recruitment costs. Administration, consulting, compliance, payroll, internal coordination and possible delays should also be part of the overall view.

A model that initially appears cheaper can become less efficient in the long term due to high administrative effort.

5. Think about Scalability

Many international activities start with a single position. Later, this can develop into a larger team.

Companies should therefore check early whether the chosen model is also viable with growing staffing needs. What works for one person? What happens with five or ten employees? When does your own branch office become sensible?

What role an Employer of Record can play

An Employer of Record can be an option for companies that want to employ staff in another country but do not yet have their own legal entity there..

The external partner typically takes over legal employment in the respective country as well as administrative tasks such as the employment contract, payroll, tax and social security topics and compliance with local requirements. The company usually retains operational management in day-to-day work.

Such a model can be particularly useful when companies want to test a market, integrate individual international specialists or respond to staffing needs at short notice. At the same time, it is not a universal solution for every situation. For long-term, larger-scale workforce development, having your own branch office may be more strategically sensible.

A realistic assessment of the specific need, the target country, the planned duration and the available internal resources is therefore always decisive.

Practical Checklist for Decision-Makers

Before international employment, check these questions:

• Why do we want to employ staff in another country?

• Is it a short-term, project-related or long-term position?

• Do we already have our own legal structure in the target country?

• Which local labour law requirements apply?

• Who takes over payroll, taxes and social security?

• Which internal resources are available in HR, legal and finance?

• How quickly must the position be filled?

• Is our own branch office economically sensible or still too early?

• Which flexible employment models are possible?

• How do we ensure a professional candidate and employee experience?

• How scalable is the chosen model?

• Which risks arise if we act too late or without structure?

Conclusion: Those who Plan International Employment in a Structured Way gain more Room for Action

Employing international specialists is a major opportunity for companies. At the same time, it is more than a recruitment decision. Labour law, payroll, social security, taxes, internal responsibilities and administrative processes must be considered from the very beginning.

Companies that plan international employment strategically gain a clear advantage. They can test new markets faster, reach suitable specialists across borders and use internal resources more effectively. Flexible employment models can help implement international workforce planning in a pragmatic and controlled way.

The most important recommendation is therefore: do not only examine international employment options when a position remains vacant or market entry is already under time pressure. Analyse early which countries, profiles, legal requirements and internal resources are relevant for your workforce strategy.

Would you like to find out more about international employment without having your own branch office? Then please get in touch with us for a no-obligation consultation on the right solutions for your business.

Many applicants ask themselves whether their CV is “good enough”. Maybe there is a gap. Maybe they changed industries. Maybe certain qualifications are missing or their career path was not always predictable.

However, a less-than-perfect CV is no reason to give up on suitable opportunities. What often matters less is whether every stage looks seamless, and more which skills, experiences and strengths you bring with you.

Especially in a dynamic job market, practical skills are becoming increasingly important.

A CV does not tell everything?

A CV shows positions, time periods and qualifications. It provides an overview, but it does not always show what someone can really do.

Many skills develop in everyday working life, through responsibility, teamwork or personal challenges. These include, for example:

• reliability

• organisational talent

• resilience

• communication skills

• willingness to learn

• practical experience

• technical understanding

These qualities are not always prominently shown in a CV, but they are crucial for many jobs.

Gaps can be explained

Career breaks can have many reasons. Further training, caring for relatives, illness, relocation, reorientation or looking for a suitable position are all part of real CVs.

It is important to classify such phases openly and objectively. A gap does not automatically have to appear negative. Often, it even shows that someone has made conscious decisions or mastered challenges.

Applicants should therefore not focus solely on hiding supposed weaknesses. It is much more important to clearly name your own strengths.

Make skills visible

When you apply, you should consider which skills are relevant for the desired position. Concrete examples help with this.

Instead of simply writing “team player”, you can describe the situations in which teamwork was important. Instead of naming “resilience”, you can explain which tasks were successfully completed under time pressure.

This makes skills more tangible and easier for companies to assess.

For organisations, this means that securing skilled labour is not only about recruitment. It is also about succession planning, upskilling and retaining existing employees.

A career change can also be a strength

Not every professional development follows a classic pattern. Career changers often bring experience from other areas that can be valuable in new jobs.

For example, if you come from retail, you often bring customer experience, strong communication skills and organisational talent. If you come from gastronomy, you know shift work, team coordination and high-pressure situations. Such experiences can be an advantage in many industries.

Conclusion: The right job starts with your strengths

A perfect CV is not the prerequisite for a good career opportunity. It is much more important to know your own skills, describe them clearly and connect them with suitable tasks.

Applicants should therefore not let formal uncertainties hold them back. If you know what you can do, you have a good foundation for your next professional step.

In the candidate portal, you can create your talent profile and find suitable jobs that match your skills, experience and career goals — even if your CV does not follow the classic pattern.

The shortage of skilled workers is leading companies to look increasingly beyond national borders. International skilled workers offer great potential – but the real challenge often only begins once the contract has been signed.

There are numerous organisational steps between the job offer and the first day at work: residence and work permits, dealing with the authorities, finding accommodation or coordinating the journey. Delays in these processes cost time and resources and can significantly delay the planned start date.

A professionally organised relocation therefore not only contributes to a positive employee experience – it is increasingly becoming a key success factor for companies.

Why relocation is more than just a move

Relocation is often equated with organising a change of residence. In fact, however, it encompasses much more.

To ensure that international specialists can become productive as quickly as possible, numerous organisational and administrative processes must work in tandem. These include, amongst others:

• Work and residence permits

• Administrative formalities

• Support with finding accommodation

• Organising the journey

• Support upon arrival in the new working and living environment

The better these steps are co-ordinated, the quicker new employees can start work.

Shortening the time to the first day at work

Every day counts, particularly when it comes to urgently needed skilled workers. Delays in the relocation process have a direct impact on projects, production capacity or ongoing operational processes.

Companies therefore benefit from standardised procedures that make the entire process more predictable. Clear responsibilities, defined timelines and early coordination of all parties involved help to reduce organisational hurdles and keep the period between signing the contract and starting work as short as possible.

A structured relocation process helps companies to coordinate these processes efficiently and provide international employees with optimal support from day one.

Successfully integrating international professionals

A quick start to work does not depend solely on administrative processes. Successful integration into the new working environment is just as important.

This includes, for example:

• a well-prepared onboarding process

• clear points of contact within the company

• transparent communication

• support with day-to-day organisational issues

Integrating new employees at an early stage not only makes their start easier but also lays the foundation for a long-term working relationship.

Taking legal and organisational requirements into account at an early stage

International employment involves various legal and organisational requirements. Depending on the country of origin and the employment model, labour law, tax and social security regulations must be taken into account.

Those who only address these issues shortly before the start of employment risk unnecessary delays. Early planning, on the other hand, provides certainty and ensures that skilled workers are ready to start work at the planned time.

Communication as a key success factor

International recruitment often also involves collaboration across language and national borders. Misunderstandings or a lack of information can slow down processes and create uncertainty on both sides.

Clear, comprehensible communication helps skilled workers settle in more quickly and ensures that companies maintain transparency regarding the current status at all times. Digital solutions can further support this exchange and make information efficiently available across different languages.

Thinking strategically about relocation

Companies that regularly recruit internationally benefit from standardised relocation processes. Instead of organising each recruitment on a case-by-case basis, repeatable workflows are established that save time and simplify planning.

This not only enables international skilled workers to be integrated more quickly, but also allows future staffing requirements to be met more flexibly. Relocation thus evolves from an additional organisational burden into an integral part of a modern international HR strategy.

Conclusion: Less friction, ready for action sooner

International professionals can make a significant contribution to meeting staffing requirements. However, it is crucial that as little time as possible is lost between signing the contract and starting work.

A structured relocation process helps companies to simplify administrative procedures, integrate international staff more quickly and make the entire process more predictable. This results in more efficient processes – for companies as well as for new staff.

Would you like to integrate international professionals into your company more quickly and smoothly? Then get in touch with us and receive no-obligation advice on suitable relocation solutions.

When colleagues are on vacation, other employees often take over their tasks. What may sound like extra work at first glance actually offers a valuable opportunity: covering for a colleague on vacation can contribute to personal and professional development—if approached thoughtfully.

Used correctly, it allows you to expand your skills, gain greater visibility within the company, and gain new perspectives on your own role.

Why covering for colleagues on vacation offers opportunities for growth

Covering for colleagues on vacation places employees in new work situations that go beyond their usual scope of responsibilities. This not only allows them to apply existing skills but also often helps them develop new ones.

Taking on additional responsibilities at short notice encourages independent action and strengthens problem-solving skills. At the same time, it provides insights into other areas of work and processes, leading to a better overall understanding of the company.

This form of “learning on the job” is considered particularly effective in modern work research, as knowledge is applied directly in practice.

Greater Visibility Within the Company

Those who take on responsibility while covering for someone on vacation are often noticed more. Their performance becomes more visible, especially when they handle additional tasks reliably and in an organized manner.

Managers recognize not only technical expertise but also important soft skills such as initiative, organizational skills, and resilience. This can have positive long-term effects on development opportunities and career prospects.

However, it’s important to approach the tasks you take on with a purposeful mindset and not view them solely as a duty.

Expand Your Skills in a Targeted Way

Filling in for a colleague on vacation offers the opportunity to expand your skill set in a targeted way. This isn’t just about technical topics, but also about cross-functional abilities.

For example, handling new areas of responsibility fosters time management, prioritization, and communication skills. At the same time, you practice acting in a structured and solution-oriented manner, even in unfamiliar situations.

These skills are in demand in nearly all professional fields and have a positive impact on career development.

Assess Challenges Realistically

Despite the opportunities, covering for a colleague on vacation also presents challenges. Additional tasks can lead to an increased workload, which can result in stress and burnout.

That’s why it’s crucial to realistically assess your own capacity and clearly prioritize tasks. Open communication with supervisors helps clarify expectations and ensure a balanced distribution of tasks.

A well-planned vacation cover should facilitate professional development without compromising long-term performance.

Communication as a Key to Success

The success of a vacation cover depends largely on clear communication. Tasks, responsibilities, and areas of authority should be clearly defined in advance.

During the coverage period, it’s helpful to provide regular feedback and actively ask for clarification when in doubt. This prevents mistakes and simultaneously builds confidence in one’s own work methods.

Even after the vacation period ends, it’s worthwhile to reflect on the experience and seek feedback if necessary. This step is often underestimated, but it offers significant added value for personal development.

Making Strategic Use of Vacation Cover

Those who actively view vacation cover as a development opportunity can benefit from it in a targeted way. A conscious approach helps you get the most out of this situation.

This includes setting clear goals, tracking your own progress, and consciously processing new experiences. In this way, a temporary additional task becomes a sustainable learning process.

Actively Seizing Development Opportunities—with Trenkwalder, Too

As an experienced staffing agency, Trenkwalder understands the dynamics of modern work environments and the importance of practical development opportunities in day-to-day work. Temporary role changes, additional responsibilities, or new areas of responsibility—such as those that arise during vacation cover—often provide important impetus for professional growth.

Trenkwalder helps candidates identify and purposefully take advantage of precisely these opportunities. At the same time, we work closely with companies to ensure that employees are deployed effectively and can continue to develop within their work environment.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Replacement

A vacation replacement is far more than just a short-term fill-in for absent colleagues. It offers the opportunity to develop new skills, take on responsibility, and strengthen one’s position within the company.

Would you like more career tips? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any exciting topics related to careers and human resources!

Labour market mismatch means: Vacant jobs and available workers do not fit together properly. The issue is not necessarily a general lack of people. More often, qualifications, occupational profiles, regions, working time models or salary expectations do not align. This is why a skills shortage and rising unemployment can exist at the same time.

For companies in Germany and Austria, this matching problem is one of the key recruitment challenges in 2026. Organisations that want to fill vacancies faster and more accurately need to adapt their staffing strategy to the real labour market situation: with realistic job requirements, skill-based hiring, faster selection processes and flexible staffing models such as temporary staffing, employee leasing, labour leasing and personnel placement.

What Does Labour Market Mismatch Mean?

Labour market mismatch describes a situation in which vacant jobs and available workers do not come together effectively. This can happen for several reasons: applicants may not have the qualifications required for a role, their occupational background may not match the job profile, the workplace may be too far away, or working hours and salary expectations may not meet the needs of the target group.

In practice, three forms of mismatch are particularly relevant:

Qualification mismatch: The level of requirements for a position does not match the qualifications of available applicants. For example, a company may need a trained CNC machine operator, while available candidates mainly have experience in basic warehouse or logistics roles.

Occupational mismatch: The occupational profile of available workers does not match the role being advertised. Someone with a commercial background, for instance, cannot automatically fill a technical maintenance position without additional training.

Regional mismatch: Workers and vacancies are located in different regions. This is especially challenging in rural areas, industrial locations and regions with limited transport connections.

These forms of mismatch rarely occur in isolation. They often reinforce each other. A suitable skilled worker may exist, but may not live in the right region, may not be able to work shifts or may expect a different salary level. For companies, this creates a real recruitment challenge — even when statistics show that many people are unemployed.

Why Can There Be a Skills Shortage Despite Unemployment?

A skills shortage and unemployment can exist at the same time because they often affect different qualification groups. Many unemployed people are looking for roles at helper or entry level. Many vacancies, however, require completed vocational training, further qualifications, a university degree or specific practical experience.

In Germany, this mismatch is clearly visible. In 2024, around 2.8 million people were registered as unemployed on average. At the same time, around 1.4 million positions were vacant in the fourth quarter of 2024. More than half of unemployed people had no formal vocational qualification, while around 80 percent of registered vacancies were aimed at qualified skilled workers, specialists or experts.

At helper level, there were mathematically more than ten unemployed people for every registered vacancy in 2024. For qualified skilled roles, the ratio was much tighter, at around two unemployed people per registered vacancy. Since not all vacancies are reported to public employment services, the actual shortage in many skilled occupations is likely even more pronounced.

Regional differences make the situation even more complex. In Bavaria, for example, the number of unemployed skilled workers per registered skilled vacancy was much lower than in Berlin. This shows that even when many applicants are available in one region, acute shortages can still exist in another region or occupational group.

Austria shows a similar pattern. Despite rising unemployment, shortages remain in healthcare, nursing, technical occupations, skilled trades, industry, logistics and IT. Here too, the risk of unemployment is strongly linked to education and qualification levels. Companies therefore face the same challenge: they do not simply need more applications — they need more suitable applications.

The Main Causes of Labour Market Mismatch

Labour market mismatch rarely has just one cause. In most cases, several factors occur at the same time.

1. Qualifications and Experience Do Not Match the Role

Many positions require specific technical knowledge, machine experience, certificates, industry experience or legal qualifications. Unemployed applicants are therefore not automatically suitable applicants.

A manufacturing company, for example, may urgently need CNC specialists. If available candidates mainly have experience in packaging, warehousing or basic production tasks, the problem is not a lack of people — it is a qualification gap.

2. Regional Distance Limits the Candidate Pool

Not every skilled worker is mobile. Commuting times, poor public transport connections, family responsibilities or housing costs can significantly limit the practical reach of a workplace.

This is particularly relevant for rural industrial and logistics locations. A suitable skilled worker may theoretically be available, but practically unreachable.

3. Working Time Models Do Not Fit Candidates’ Realities

Many sectors require shift work, weekend work, short-notice scheduling or full-time availability. At the same time, many qualified candidates are looking for predictable working hours, day shifts, part-time options or family-friendly models.

When companies hold on to rigid working time structures, they leave part of the available labour potential unused.

4. Salary Expectations and Market Offers Differ

Candidate expectations have changed in many occupational groups. This affects not only highly specialised positions, but also commercial roles, production, logistics, skilled trades and technical occupations.

If salary bands do not reflect the regional market or are not communicated transparently, suitable candidates are more likely to withdraw from the process.

5. Recruitment Processes Take Too Long

Skilled workers in demand make decisions quickly. Companies that take several weeks to provide feedback, coordinate interviews or make decisions often lose suitable candidates to competitors.

A long time-to-hire is therefore not just an internal process issue. In a tight labour market, it becomes a competitive disadvantage.

6. Structural Change Is Shifting Demand

Different sectors are developing at different speeds. While parts of manufacturing are under pressure, other areas such as healthcare, nursing, public services, technical services and IT-related roles continue to grow.

However, workers from shrinking sectors do not automatically fit into growing sectors. Without targeted training, reskilling or skill-based hiring, this potential often remains unused.

7. Demographic Change Intensifies the Shortage

In many skilled occupations, experienced employees are leaving the labour market due to age. At the same time, not enough younger skilled workers are entering these professions. As a result, companies lose practical knowledge, process experience and technical expertise.

For organisations, this means that securing skilled labour is not only about recruitment. It is also about succession planning, upskilling and retaining existing employees.

What Companies Should Do in 2026

Companies cannot completely eliminate labour market mismatch. But they can significantly reduce it by connecting workforce planning, recruitment and external staffing support more effectively.

1. Reduce Job Requirements to Genuine Must-Haves

Many job advertisements contain long wish lists. Not every listed requirement is truly necessary for day-to-day work.

Companies should clearly distinguish between:

• What is absolutely essential?

• What can be learned during the first months?

• Which experience is helpful but not mandatory?

• Which formal qualifications can be replaced by practical experience?
  
  This review expands the candidate pool without compromising hiring quality.

2. Introduce Skill-Based Hiring

Skill-based hiring places actual abilities at the centre of the recruitment process rather than relying only on formal qualifications or previous job titles. The key question is whether a person can perform the required tasks — not whether their CV follows a traditional path.

This approach is particularly useful for career changers, international applicants, experienced practitioners without formal qualifications and employees from related occupational fields.

3. Use Regional Labour Market Data

Many recruitment goals fail because companies plan with a candidate market that does not actually exist in their region.

Knowing how many suitable skilled workers are realistically available locally helps companies make better decisions on salary, candidate outreach, working hours, search radius and whether a role should be filled externally or developed internally.

4. Shorten Time-to-Hire

Speed is a key success factor in recruitment. Companies should design hiring processes so that suitable candidates receive quick feedback.

Clear responsibilities, fewer decision-making steps, fixed interview slots, fast pre-screening and transparent communication all help. Companies that decide faster are more likely to secure the best candidates.

5. Review Working Time Models and Salary Bands

When suitable candidates drop out, the cause is often not the recruitment channel but the offer itself.

Companies should regularly review whether working hours, shift models, flexibility, salary and additional benefits match the expectations of the target group. Not every solution requires a general salary increase. Predictable shifts, better accessibility, transparent development opportunities and clearer communication can also make a major difference.

6. Make Better Use of Internal Training

Not every vacancy has to be filled externally. In many cases, internal development can be a realistic alternative.

Employees from related roles already know the company, are culturally integrated and can be trained for new tasks. This reduces dependency on the external candidate market.

7. Use External Staffing Models Strategically

Flexible staffing models should not only be used when a shortage has already become urgent. They can be part of a forward-looking workforce strategy.

Temporary staffing, employee leasing, labour leasing and personnel placement can help companies close short-term gaps, manage peak workloads, test new roles and access specialised candidates more quickly.

The Role of Temporary Staffing, Employee Leasing and Labour Leasing

Temporary staffing and employee leasing in Germany, as well as labour leasing in Austria, are particularly useful when companies need staff on a short- or medium-term basis.

Typical use cases include peak workloads, seasonal fluctuations, sickness cover, production, logistics, industry, commercial roles and project-based work.

The advantage is clear: companies gain flexibility without immediately taking on long-term permanent employment risks. At the same time, they can test whether qualifications, working style and team fit are right in real day-to-day operations.

This is especially valuable in the context of labour market mismatch. Not every profile can be reliably assessed on paper. The real fit often becomes clear only in practice.

When Is Personnel Placement Useful?

Personnel placement is especially useful when companies are looking for a permanent hire but lack sufficient internal reach, time or market access.

This applies in particular to specialised skilled workers, hard-to-reach candidates, challenging locations, confidential searches or roles that need to be filled quickly and reliably.

An experienced staffing partner can identify suitable candidates, pre-qualify them and provide companies with a realistic assessment of the market situation. This reduces the risk of poor hiring decisions and long vacancy periods.

How Trenkwalder Can Support Companies

No company can solve labour market mismatch through a single job advertisement. What matters is a realistic view of the market: Which skilled workers are actually available in the region? Which requirements are truly necessary? Which candidates are difficult to reach through traditional channels? And when is a flexible staffing model more effective than immediate permanent recruitment?

Trenkwalder supports companies precisely at this interface: with regional market knowledge, existing candidate pools, structured pre-qualification and experience across different sectors — from production, logistics and industry to commercial roles, services and technical occupations.

Working with Trenkwalder can help companies:

• assess regional availability of skilled workers more realistically,

• refine job requirements,

• reach suitable candidates faster,

• reduce pressure on internal recruitment teams,

• cover peak workloads flexibly,

• find skilled workers for permanent positions,

• shorten time-to-hire,

• make workforce planning more flexible and predictable.

The final hiring decision always remains with the company. Trenkwalder supports market access, pre-selection and assessment. The final decision is made by management, HR or the relevant department.

Practical Checklist for Decision-Makers

Before publishing your next job advertisement, review the following questions:

• Are our requirements genuine must-haves or simply a wish list?

• Are there actually enough suitable skilled workers in our region?

• Can formal qualifications partly be replaced by experience or skills?

• How long does our recruitment process take from application to decision?

• Are we losing candidates because our feedback is too slow?

• Do our working time models and salary bands fit the target group?

• Can internal employees be trained for certain tasks?

• Are we using temporary staffing or labour leasing strategically during peak workloads?

• Is personnel placement useful for hard-to-fill roles?

• Do we regularly evaluate time-to-hire, reasons for rejection and hiring success?

Conclusion: Companies That Understand the Mismatch Recruit More Successfully

A skills shortage despite unemployment is not a contradiction. It is a sign that qualifications, region, occupational experience, working hours and salary expectations often do not match.

Companies that understand this labour market mismatch will gain a clear advantage in 2026. They define more realistic job profiles, make faster decisions, focus more strongly on skills and use flexible staffing models strategically where internal resources or regional candidate markets reach their limits.

The key recommendation is clear: Do not wait until a vacancy remains unfilled. Analyse your staffing situation early, identify which skills you truly need, determine which requirements are negotiable and consider which type of support can help you find suitable employees faster.

Would you like to understand how significant the labour market mismatch is in your region and sector? Our regional experts know local labour markets from daily practice and can support you with an initial assessment of your current staffing situation. Contact us for your free consultation.