CEOs describe how many open positions they have at their companies and why they haven’t been filled.

This week’s question: Data suggest we are close to full employment. Please tell us how many open positions you have and why they haven’t been filled. For instance, it is because you can’t find qualified candidates, or because there’s so much competition in your field?

We have had several positions filled recently, and I must say that it has been more challenging than usual. However, we tend to be unconventional and we see the most opportunities in difficult times. There are still talented workers looking for work and for a quality employer that allows them to make a career out of a job.

Armando Caceres,

CEO, founder, All Florida Paper

We currently have six unfilled positions in our warehouse and trucking company. The changes in government regulations in the trucking industry has resulted in a driver shortage. Our challenge in finding warehouse laborers can be attributed the fewer amount of candidates seeking this type of employment.

Ralph De La Rosa,

president, CEO, Imperial Freight

We have hired two additional entry-level engineers and one mid-career professional in the past month. We occupy a niche sector of civil engineering, so finding senior professionals can be extremely challenging. We mostly train all of our employees from the ground-up in our specialty field. If you are experienced in what we do, then we would love to hear from you.

Jalal Farooq,

principal, Al-Farooq Corporation

At the moment, Gurkha has no open positions. We don’t have much turnover, but the moment we do have an open position, we have had no problem filling it.

Kaizad Hansotia,

founder, CEO, Gurkha Cigars

We have a few open positions in both sales and operations. Our HR department has done a superb job of recruiting and have been able to attract highly qualified bankers in a very tight market. With a new branch opening in Fort Lauderdale, we will be looking for more talent soon.

Javier Holtz,

chairman, CEO, Marquis Bank

We have one full-time open position for a VP of sales and marketing for which we have just begun the hiring process. We have numerous qualified applicants, none of whom are located in South Florida. I have close personal friends who have left Miami for high-level tech jobs in other markets after trying unsuccessfully to stay in South Florida.

Noreen Sablotsky,

founder, CEO, Imalac

To date, we haven’t had issues filling roles despite our growth. Though there’s strong demand for top talent and expectations are high, we routinely recruit positions within the requisite timelines.

Steve Upshaw,

CEO, Cross Country Home Services

Meet the current members of our CEO Roundtable

THE MIAMI HERALD CEO ROUNDTABLE IS A WEEKLY FEATURE THAT APPEARS IN BUSINESS MONDAY OF THE MIAMI HERALD. RECENT QUESTIONS HAVE INCLUDED

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