The talent war: real crisis or corporate comedy?

2025 is playing out like a reality show for HR managers. Digital transformation, automation, and the obsession with “sustainability” coexist with an increasingly absurd challenge: finding and retaining qualified talent. What if we just admit no one wants a low-paid 12-hour warehouse job in the middle of nowhere? At Pulpop, we launched SmartHire as an antidote — but before we throw in the towel, let’s revisit this continental tragicomedy.

A mosaic of scarcity and turnover

In Chile, over 60% of companies complain they can’t find specialized talent. No wonder — when you’re offering 1990s salaries, even a turtle thinks twice. The logistics sector survives on temp workers and suffers insane absenteeism and churn.

In Peru, seven out of ten employers cry over the lack of workers in operations or logistics. Maybe candidates prefer fresh air. Overall turnover has hit 47% — a Latin American record.

Colombia reports a talent shortage in 59% of companies. Reality check: no one wants a logistics job that pays like an internship. LHH Consulting predicts operations turnover will surpass 44%. Shocking, right?

In Mexico, 68% of employers can’t find candidates, and the sector hiring most in 2024 is transport, logistics, and automotive. It also happens to top the charts in turnover — retail and logistics can hit 100% yearly. Hint: no one wants to stay.

Brazil holds the dubious honor of global turnover champion. Agribusiness saw a 46.59% average in 2022 and jumped to 56% in 2023. While execs scratch their heads, 65.1% of companies scream for drivers. Maybe stop making 60-year-olds drive 18 hours a day?

In Spain, 86% of logistics companies admit they can’t hire or retain professionals. Only 12% of workers are under 30. Why? Gen Z would rather code apps than load trucks. Turnover has jumped 40%, especially in low-skilled roles.

Argentina isn’t far behind: seven in ten employers struggle to find talent, especially in transport and logistics. Makes sense when you’re offering lousy pay, endless shifts, and zero growth.

Common challenges and trends

• Youth turnover. Millennials and Gen Z stay at a job less than a reggaeton playlist. They want decent pay and real opportunities — if they don’t find them, they bounce.
• Lack of drivers and operators. When the average truck driver is over 50 and no one wants to replace them, it’s a red flag. In Mexico, there’s a shortage of techs — teens prefer to be streamers.
• Outdated recruiting practices. Many SMEs still recruit like it’s the 80s: paper resumes and endless interviews. And then wonder why no one sticks around.
• Fierce competition for skilled talent. Operations, sales, and IT roles are unicorns in Peru and Colombia. Either you pay well and train, or start praying.

How SmartHire responds to this mess

SmartHire, Pulpop’s recruitment solution, is built on four pillars:

• Mass job posting across 100+ platforms to attract high volume and niche candidates (logistics, agro, HORECA).
• AI and ATS filtering to prioritize candidates based on skills and experience.
• Document verification with anti-fraud tech to ensure information authenticity.
• Smart interviews and scoring to validate soft skills and reduce human bias.

The result? Faster screening and only pre-vetted candidates on your desk. That way, companies can focus on retaining talent and offering better conditions — instead of wasting time with inefficient processes.

Keys to a solid hiring strategy

1. Diversify your channels. Still posting on the same generic job board? Don’t whine when zero candidates show up. Mix generalist platforms with regional and industry-specific ones (logistics, hospitality, tech). No names — we’re not giving free ads.
2. Get in the trenches. Facebook and WhatsApp groups for drivers and operators are gold mines — if you’re not scared of memes and complaints. That’s where smart recruiters go.
3. Offer real value. A foosball table won’t cut it. Decent pay, human shifts, and growth opportunities beat any “free burger” perk.
4. Digitize or die. Still scheduling interviews via email? You're lost. SmartHire filters candidates with AI, verifies documents, and delivers only the qualified. Stop wasting people’s time.

Looking ahead

The talent shortage in logistics and agri-food is no passing trend. It’s the result of demographic, tech, and workforce shifts. Adapting means understanding each country’s realities, betting on digital, and offering a value proposition that makes sense.

At Pulpop, we know the future of work means connecting companies and candidates intelligently. SmartHire is our answer to an increasingly brutal talent market. If you’re ready to optimize your hiring and slash turnover, let’s talk.