Recruitment Update – Business Services – December 2014
I’m conscious of the fact that it has been sometime since I last wrote with an update about the Business Services recruitment market and thought it appropriate, therefore, to comment ahead of the Christmas break.
What is and has been evident for sometime is that the recruitment market remains busy as the economy continues to pick up, client sentiment improves and the outlook appears generally positive, despite wider political and economic uncertainties in Europe and May’s General Election here in the UK. What has also been evident, more so in the past few months, is the fact that there is a real dearth of candidates, not simply in more obvious areas such as Reward but also, for example, at HR Business Partner and Senior HR Business Partner level too.
With no obvious signs of the situation abating any time soon, there is no doubt that we are living in a candidate-driven world, with greater competition for the very best candidates. Client’s attitudes are noticeably changing as a result and reflected, for example, in having a more flexible approach to a candidate’s skills and experience and, on some occasions, flexibility on pay or working hours.
To give you an idea, here are just a few of the mandates we have at the moment:
Head of HR/Senior HRBP, Financial Institution, Continental Europe
Practice Manager, International Law Firm, City
Senior BD Manager, International Law Firm, City
HR Manager, Law Firm, City
L&D Manager, International Law Firm, City
HR Manager, Law Firm, Hong Kong/Asia
Looking ahead, we anticipate a particular need in a few specific areas of Business Services including needs at Director/Head of level in Human Resources, Business Development and IT/Technology.
With the trend towards increased demand for Business Services professionals set to continue and with a very real shortage of candidates then 2015 promises to be a challenging year ahead and one which, from a candidate’s point of view, offers real opportunity.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year