July 2018: Candidate Shortages Continue to Hit the UK

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Candidate Shortages Continue to Hit the UK

Candidate Shortages Continue to Hit the UK

July has arrived and it’s about time that we take a mid-year look at what the employment market is doing. Trends for 2018 have been largely positive with unemployment down to 4.2% (as of Feb-Apr 2018) according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Let’s take a closer look at the stats.

The Stats

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that for February to April 2018:

75.6% of people aged from 16 to 64 years were in work, the joint highest employment rate for people since comparable records began in 1971
80.0% of men aged from 16 to 64 years were in work, the joint highest employment rate for men since February to April 1991
71.3% of women aged from 16 to 64 years were in work, the highest employment rate for women since comparable records began in 1971

These great statistics indicate a trend that has continued throughout 2018 so far. The news of great employment rates is only tempered by the news of decreasing availability of permanent and temporary staff across all sectors, which could signify a decrease in the pace of growth for many businesses.

(Read the full ONS report here)

The Consequences

The ‘Report on Jobs’, produced by IHS Markit and sponsored by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), compares questionnaire data collected every month from a panel of 400 UK recruitment and employment consultancies. The June release shows that despite the number of staff vacancies rising at the fastest rate since November 2017, staff availability has declined rapidly.

This catch-22, with demand for staff outstripping supply of available staff, is leading employers to raise starting wages, resulting in the steepest increase in starting salaries for three years. This is excellent news if you are searching for a new role, not only because you are equipped with higher bargaining power, but at Select we have also witnessed an increase in employers bringing in additional benefits to attract the right candidates, including flexible working and career progression opportunities.

The other major influence on the employment environment at the moment is Brexit. Statistics from the ONS for year ending March 2017 show a significant drop in net migration from the EU (down by 51,000 from the previous year). On the scale of migration to the UK, this does not sound like a large figure, however when you take into account the fact that EU workers make up 7% (2.2 million) of the UK workforce overall and 15% of workers in low-skilled roles, this is quite significant.

The Effects

The UK employment market is evolving at a fast pace, forcing employers from all industries to re-evaluate the benefits of working for them and offering new deals to attract the right candidates. In so doing, the balance of power between candidate and employer is changing giving the right candidates more leverage when looking for a job that fulfils their needs.

There is also a significant benefit for those job seekers looking for an entry-level role, with experienced candidates hard to find, companies are more willing to provide the training and progression for those candidates that show a can-do attitude and willingness to learn.

How are Recruiters Changing?

At Select, we have recognised these changes in the market and as ever, when the market changes so do we. If you are looking for a new role or the perfect new member of your team is proving difficult to find, Select can help. Get in contact with your local branch today to learn how we are evolving to accommodate the changes in the recruitment industry.

Testimonials

Dedication to Customer Service

“Job hunting can be a particularly stressful process for even the most experience professional, but Select’s efficiency and dedication to customer service shone through from the second I made contact with them. Helen really took her time to get to know me and my individual job hunting needs. She put my CV forward for positions she knew would work for me. I was well-prepped for interviews and was kept informed at every stage of the process, from job hunting to interviews, from being offered a job to successful placement.”

Select Job Seeker

Always go the extra mile

“I have been working with Select for the past few months and they have helped me to fill key support roles in my team with high quality candidates. The company is a real pleasure to work with, the team always go the extra mile and are very effective in matching the right candidate to the role. I highly recommend working with them.”

Select Client

Went the Extra Mile

“Great service provided by everyone at Select Appointments. Personally, Helen was very supportive throughout the whole process. She was available on the end of the phone at any time and went to extra mile, even helping with interview preparation. I’m sure I wouldn’t have got the job without her assistance!

Overall, I couldn’t recommend Select Appointments highly enough.”

Select Job Seeker

Extension of our own operation

“The team spirit and customer focus prevalent at the Select office in Crawley is clearly obvious to all and my team now see Select Appointments, simply, as an extension of our own operation. It is a pleasure doing business with Select Appointments.”

Select Client

Looked After Very Well

“Select were pro-active in finding me temporary work and, as a result of one of their short-term assignments, I was called back by the same company for five weeks and then offered a six-month contract by that company. I was looked after very well by Select, administratively and in finding me work, and I am most grateful for their efforts on my behalf.”

Select Job Seeker

Bent Over Backwards

“I felt that Select bent over backwards to ensure that our vacancy was filled by the most suitable person; thank you!”

Select Client

I Absolutely Love My Job

“I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to you and your team. I absolutely love my job and have now been made a permanent member of staff because it was such a great match to my skills. I am so glad that I came into your agency!”

Select Job Seeker

Cannot Thank Him Enough

“I am very thankful for what Select have done for me. At first, I was getting no interviews and literally no hope for any jobs. I applied to Select for an advertised job, which was in my area of expertise and my Consultant thought I was highly suitable for this job and he gave me a chance, so he put me forward. He sorted out all the interviews, communicated well with me and never left me out of sync. I cannot thank him enough for the high standard of customer service and perseverance to get me the job that I am in now!”

Select Job Seeker

Completely Understand Our Requirements

“We have been extremely happy with the service Select has given us. Our Consultant seemed to completely understand our requirements and saved us a huge amount of time putting forward the right people for our vacancies. We will definitely be using Select again!”

Select Client

Changed My Life

“I am so happy you have no idea! You have helped change my life and I can now start a fresh and long lasting career. I cannot thank you enough for considering, helping and guiding me all the way through.

I will certainly be recommending you and Select recruitment to anyone I know. Thank you for everything!”

Select Job Seeker

How To Hire The Best Candidates

Advice

Interview Hints and Tips

FINALLY… Make sure you have confirmed your interest in the job. Conclude the interview with a handshake, remembering to thank the interviewer for their time. After the interview contact your Select consultant and let them know how the interview went.