Being non-responsive can be very discouraging to job applicants who make an effort to submit their resumes. While it is true that employers can sometimes receive an overwhelming amount of job applications, there are ways to effectively manage the task of responding to job applicants. Companies that find it difficult to respond to the large number of respondents can consider outsourcing that task to qualified recruiting companies on the island, of which there are several.
Some job applicants are already finding out that some employers are merely posting job vacancies in local papers more out of an obligation to do so than in an effort to find qualified resident candidates, as placing an ad is one of the key requirements when sponsoring foreign workers. It also is the suspicion of some job applicants that some employers already know who they want for a certain position, and so they just ignore other candidates applying for the job. Many job seekers get fed-up and are so discouraged that they just stop looking for work. A popular cry from local job seekers is that you need to know somebody who knows somebody in order to get a decent job on St. Maarten.
The Kiosk team is treating this issue as a matter of economic concern, one that calls for government support, as unemployment is a key identifier of an economic lag. Government can help by encouraging potential employers to recognize the efforts of job applicants and reach out and respond to job seekers and their follow-up inquiries, even if it means letting them know that they were not selected for a position.
To some this might seem to be a trivial matter that is being exaggerated, but this is something that is indirectly and negatively affecting our economy. The effects are exhibited in us having a group of discouraged unemployed people (sometimes highly educated/qualified), that are at their wits end, sometimes falling into a state of depression, and giving up on their quest for employment - and its all downhill from there.
Government, employers, recruiters and job agencies all need to work collaboratively to assist resident job seekers. This collaboration will no doubt have a positive effect on our economy, resulting in (1) a decrease of the local unemployment rate, (2) a decrease in sponsorship of foreign workers, resulting in (3) an increase in the spending power of locals, (4) increase in the Gross Domestic Product, and (4) indirectly decreasing crime and, subsequently resulting in (5) a boost in our local economy.
The Kiosk is a project (not a company) created in an effort to provide free assistance and employment related services to local job seekers by connecting them with potential employers. The Kiosk screens resumes submitted and pass them on to potential employers for consideration for a job vacancy. The project was initiated by the United States based non-profit organization, Swaby Academy - owned and operated by a St. Maartener. This project is proving to be a valuable resource to resident and foreign job seekers. The response has been overwhelming since the launching of the project in December 2010. The growth and popularity of the project has grown immensely considering the number of resumes being submitted weekly and, the number of daily (return) visitors to the project's website and facebook page.
The Kiosk has a growing database of qualified candidates with varying specialties and educational backgrounds. We are reaching a target population of mixed candidates with varying educational and professional backgrounds, some of which do not require sponsorship, and who are located not only on St. Maarten and in the Caribbean, but as far as Europe, the United States and Canada.
The sponsoring organization has changed its initial approach of the project by making services free for all, meaning free not only for job seekers, but for local employers, recruiters and job agencies as well.
