It was mid-March 2020 when our world as we know it changed significantly… our lives were being restricted, we were not allowed to work from our office, the pubs were closing, and everyone was going berserk over toilet paper.
In the recruitment world it was very much doom and gloom… employers pulled the handbrake up on all recruitment and both clients and candidates were left in limbo until things came back to ‘normal’.
Fast forward to 2021 and we have seen extraordinary activity in the recruitment market which has shifted to very much a candidate driven market.
Job Vacancies
According to the latest data, job vacancies have increased by close to 27% between February 2020 and February 2021 this has also resulted in job advertisements being up by close to 40% in March 2021 when compared to the same time last year – the highest it has been since November 2008!!
The top 3 occupations which have increased in employment include Accountants, Software Programmers and Web Developers. A shortage of overseas skilled candidates coming to Australia due to border closures has also contributed to this.
Shift In the Market 2021
In fact, as I mentioned earlier since the start of 2021 the market has significantly shifted to a candidate driven market resulting in wages increasing & counter offers. Candidate shortages have emerged, and sourcing quality skilled candidates is becoming tougher than ever. No longer can the ‘post and pray’ approach by putting an ad up on seek deliver suitable results.
What Now?
As recruiters our role is also to educate our clients on current market conditions and over the last 5 months this has proven to be of utmost importance. Key areas we are consulting on include, the speed required to meet with candidates and determine next steps, the need for the client to ‘sell’ the role at interview and entice candidates to consider the role and organisation and, when making an offer it needs to be genuine as now is not the time for offering unders.
Experts are predicting that the largest ever candidate shortage is looming across Australia. Now is the time to engage a Recruiter and beat the current market conditions.
If you are keen to hear more about the current recruitment market in Newcastle and the Hunter or how peoplefusion can assist you with your next hire, reach out on my details below… I’m always up for coffee or a chat.
Talk soon.