Despite continuing recession, 53% of UK employers are still recruiting

According to findings from Jobsite.co.uk’s report on hiring in an economic downturn, ‘Recessional recruiting’:

• 53 per cent of employers are still hiring, despite the recession
• 35 per cent of UK employers are hoping to ride out the recession by recruiting specific talent
• Strategic consultants, sales managers and new business people are the most sought-after recession-busting hires
• The full report is available for free download at: www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport

08 July 2009 – One in three (35 per cent) UK employers are hoping to ride out the recession by recruiting specific talent.

According to Jobsite’s new research report ‘Recessional recruiting’ (www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport) many industries, including retail and recruitment, are currently aiming to attract ‘new blood’ to help boost their bottom line.

Talent most sought after includes strategic consultants (16 per cent), sales managers (21 per cent), new business people (20 per cent), and online gurus (nine per cent).

At the same time, close to a quarter (23 per cent) of companies say they are only recruiting critical hires crucial to the survival of their business, with customer service, sales and travel & tourism sectors the most likely to be following this staffing strategy.

Despite the continuing recession shaking the confidence of over half of employers, 53% are still recruiting. This is good news for workers in the pharmaceutical (76 per cent), education (74 per cent), charity (69 per cent), retail (59 per cent) and IT (46 per cent) industries, who are doing the most active recruitment.

It would seem middle management positions are also experiencing a rise in demand, with three times as many middle manager roles now available for every one senior role. This finding reflects the fact that businesses are increasingly favouring experienced staff but with lower salary expectations than senior managers.

Nevertheless, one in five (17 per cent) organisations have put a freeze on their recruitment plans, with, perhaps unsurprisingly, automotive (40 per cent), construction (32 per cent), and the hospitality (20 per cent) sectors the worst hit.

Industry experts at Jobsite.co.uk are today advising businesses to take a long-term look at recruitment and, where possible, consider tackling the downturn head-on by making positive hires.

Keith Potts, CEO of Jobsite.co.uk said: “As the recession continues, your recruitment plans will undoubtedly be impacted. It’s important for all businesses to have plans in place to work through the period in as smooth a way as possible while remaining competitive.

“A recruitment freeze may seem like your only option, but by making some key appointments now it could help your company to both survive the recession and place it in a good position for rapid recovery as the economy improves.

“If recruitment really isn’t an option, look at how you can utilise other existing talent and adjust roles and responsibilities across the organisation.”

How to cope with the recession

1. Recruit critical and crucial hires
A recruitment freeze may seem like a fix-it-quick option but a blanket freeze could damage your bottom line and reduce your long-term growth strategy. For example, if you put your graduate recruitment scheme on ice this year – will you have to invest more money next year by recruiting at a higher level? Where possible, consider tackling the downturn head-on by making positive hires.

2. Restructure
If recruitment really isn’t an option, look at how you can utilise other existing talent and adjust roles and responsibilities across the organisation. Examine the skill sets of your employees and assess which essential areas they could be redeployed into. Talk to your staff as they may have hankered after a role in another department but never thought it was an option. If they see it as a positive move they’re more likely to be enthusiastic, motivated and therefore productive in their new role.

3. Develop the talented
Now is the time to secure your top talent as talented staff are key to maintaining an edge over your competitors. Create a talent management strategy and identify the key people that you want to hold on to – these people won’t necessarily be senior managers. It’s also worth identifying the employees who can push things forward during tough times. Once you’ve created your list ensure you meet their career development needs – rather than letting a new employer do it instead.

4. Be open and honest
In any downturn staff can lose trust in employers, therefore being open and honest is particularly important to win confidence across your organisation. Having motivated and inspired staff is crucial in maintaining a positive climate – and is possible to achieve even if you are restructuring and making redundancies. Try and foster positive internal communication by opening your door to colleagues and talking to people one-on-one across your organisation.

Jobsite’s report on hiring in an economic downturn, ‘Recessional recruiting’ is available to download for free at www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport

Related posts:

1. Redundancy urban myths debunked Recession hearsay causes candidates unnecessary job hunting worry According to...
2. UK Workers Remain Upbeat in the Face of Downturn ...
3. One in Five Fear Redundancy Attitudes towards job security and jobhunting revealed as Jobsite unveils...
4. Jobsite recruits RadiumOne to boost online reach Leading UK recruiter deploys social targeting across mobile and web...
5. Interview fears trap one in four Britons in jobs they hate The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den increase UK workers fear of...