Based upon the analysis of the results of a qualitative investigation conducted among 30 companies located in the area of Quebec city, this article presents Human Resources Directors (HRD)’ perceptions and representations relating to recruitment difficulties. Initially, I will identify recruitment difficulties according to their characteristics, illustrating the reality observed by the HRD. Secondly, I will highlight the explanatory factors underlying recruitment difficulties such as they emerge from HRD’s discourse, by grouping them in three categories: exogenous factors, factors related to work supply and factors dependent on work demand. In conclusion, I will initiate a short discussion on the relative importance of the explanatory factors underlying recruitment difficulties and on the possible solutions to face this phenomenon.