You’ve seen it before, and so have we. Post an opening for an Executive Director or Regional Manager, and the resumes pour in. Sometimes 50. Sometimes 100.

At first, that volume feels encouraging. But look closer:

  • A large percentage don’t meet the minimum requirements.
  • Others have experience, but in the wrong industry.
  • A small handful seem close to being right, but not quite at the level you need.

As recruiters, we see this pattern often: out of 100 applicants, only about 10% typically meet the basic qualifications. Of those, maybe 2–5% are truly well-aligned. And in the end, only 1–3% become strong candidates.

That means for every 100 resumes you sort through, you’re realistically looking at just a few viable people. But at Aspen, we understand where to find the right candidates – and how to power through resume avalanches to find them.

Where the Right Candidates Actually Are

The math explains why so many hiring managers in senior care feel stuck. Hours are spent sifting through resumes, but very few translate into serious candidates. Meanwhile, critical positions remain unfilled.

In Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living, these delays are more than an inconvenience. They put extra stress on existing staff, create compliance risks, and affect residents and families who rely on consistent leadership.

The leaders you really want (the ones who stabilize teams, drive quality care, and navigate regulatory complexity) are rarely in that stack of resumes. They’re already working, successfully running communities, and not actively applying online. According to research from Workable, 45.5% of candidates in the healthcare sector are passive – almost double the 27.3% who are actively seeking work!

That’s why going beyond the job boards matters. By building trusted networks and reaching leaders who aren’t sending out resumes, Aspen Associates Group connects you with the top talent you’d otherwise never see.

When you post a job, you’ll get plenty of resumes. But if you want leaders who can truly make an impact, volume isn’t the answer. The right candidates aren’t applying through online portals. They’re already thriving in their current roles, but they’re just waiting to be found by an even better opportunity. And finding them is where Aspen Associates Group can help!