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January 2021: The Starting Line

January 2021: The Starting Line

The new year is always a good time to take stock of what is going on around you. The jobs market is always a good place to start, giving you an indication of the shape of the world around you and of what is potentially ahead. So, what does the jobs market look like heading into 2021? We take a look at the REC’s latest Report on Jobs.

The jobs market in 2020 is the starting point for 2021

Temporary Market

The temporary recruitment market gained strength throughout 2020, with hiring confidence low, businesses turned to a more temporary solution to their skills shortages. This trend hit its peak in the run up to Christmas with temporary billings in December expanding at the sharpest pace since October 2018. This combined with the fact that online spending over the Christmas Period increased by 65% more than 2019, reflects the strength of the British economy and offers some hope for the future.

Of course, rises in demand for temporary staff are isolated to specific industries, notably nursing, medical and care related sectors, followed by Blue Collar and then Engineering and Construction. A trend that is to be expected during a pandemic.

Higher staff availability since the first national lockdown in March 2020 has led to a stagnation of wages for temporary workers, with only more skilled/experienced roles seeing an overall increase in pay during the latter end of 2020. This is set to get an uplift this year as NLW increases in April (read more about that here).

Permanent Market

For much of 2020, the permanent hiring market declined. Hiring confidence took a nose-dive, with no one really knowing what was going to happen next. However, there was a positive shift in December 2020 with increases in permanent staff appointments driven by increased market activity and greater hiring confidence due to the news of the vaccine. It remains to be seen if this increase has been sustained despite the National Lockdown, however, at Select we have seen a positive shift in employer’s looking to hire permanent staff in preparation for 2021.

Predictions for 2021: A changing landscape

There are currently 9.9 million people in the UK on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been extended until 30^th April 2021. This scheme has prevented job losses occurring en masse but as businesses – especially those in sectors like travel and retail – suffer, thousands of jobs are already being cut. The latest unemployment rate was measured at 4.9% (Aug to Oct 2020) an increase of 0.7% over the previous three months. This equates to 1.69 million unemployed people. With a lockdown in force for the foreseeable future, this figure is likely to have risen and will continue to rise for at least the first half of 2021.

It is not all doom and gloom. The latest Employment Outlook Survey conducted by ManpowerGroup shows a rise in employer confidence heading into 2021 compared to midway through 2020. It is also worth bearing in mind that as a nation, as businesses and as people we have learned a lot this year and although we have all experienced a lot of upheaval, some of the lessons we have learned may prove to be beneficial.

Firstly, we are already seeing a move away from the London-centric economy, with more flexible working policies in effect now and moving forward. This means that more opportunities are going to open to more people as you do not have to live in the locality anymore. Secondly, a reduction in the number of people commuting is also proving to not only be better on the pocket and on the environment, but also on our wellbeing, with more people able to use this time productively.

Thirdly, fast advances in communication technology and its expanding user base are bringing together communities that would otherwise be isolated from one another. In fact, due to necessity, many companies have accelerated the digitisation of their operations by three to four years according to a McKinsey Global Survey of executives; encouraging collaboration across teams and people as well as offering social benefits too.

Further Considerations

COVID is not the only thing that is going to affect the jobs market heavily this year. Brexit is going to prove to be another large hurdle. Changes to immigration are going to hit the manufacturing and farming sectors particularly hard and Logistics businesses are under extra pressure to navigate new import and export rules. IR35 is also worth consideration as it is going to have a profound impact on contractors and businesses that employ contractors (read more about the impact on jobs of Brexit and IR35).

With the number of candidates on the market likely to rise and competition for each role to become tougher, now is the best time to get in touch with a good recruiter. At Select, we can not only offer remote interviewing and shortlisting technology for our clients to dramatically cut the amount of time to hire, but we can also offer our candidates a personal recruitment experience. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you.

Testimonials

Thoroughly Recommend

“Caroline and her team took the time to listen to and fully understand our requirements. They demonstrated their understanding by presenting us with a short list of candidates all of whom could have filled the post. Thoroughly recommended for their fantastic service, thank you.”

Select Client – Google Review – Select Appointments St Albans

Second to None

“I have worked with and for ‘Select Appointments’ since Aug 1st 2017. I have nothing but absolute praise for the care and attention I have received whilst working under their ‘umbrella’. The interaction and provision of work, remuneration and holiday entitlement is in my opinion second to none, I would certainly recommend the agency to anyone with full and utmost confidence.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Norwich

Best agency in Cambridge

“Select Cambridge is an excellent agency specialised in offering jobs in the Hospitality sector. The quantity and quality offered make it the best agency in Cambridge. Personally, I have had the opportunity to work with […] an excellent consultant, attentive to the details and needs of her employees. I highly recommend it for those who are considering joining this sector.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Hospitality Cambridge

They Invest the Time

“I have worked with the Select team on both assisting me recruit as a customer and more recently as a candidate. Having first worked with Select on a couple of recruitment projects with great success she was my first call when I needed assistance with my own career move.

For me the difference with Select is that they invest the time to understand your requirements both as a business customer and as a candidate and match you to the right people or positions. Unlike a lot of Recruitment companies the communication is strong from the Select team with regular updates and you never feel like just another candidate in a drawer. Dedication, passion, professionalism and commitment are the qualities that set them apart from the rest and I cannot rate the Select team more highly.”

Select Client & Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Lowestoft

Very Supportive Team

“I worked with the very supportive team from Select. He rang just before every appointment I had with my new employers to offer advice and support. He was also on the end of the phone when I asked for advice about my current position. Needless to say, I was offered the job I was recruited for and had a very good experience with Select.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Hospitality Peterborough

Able to Get Results

“Select have been absolutely amazing from the get go. I haven’t had any problems with finding a job, pay or communication. The team found me a new job within 1 week and another job after the contract ended on that one.

I would heavily recommend this company as not only are the staff so friendly, they are able to get the results that you want from employment. After years of working with other agencies and having many problems, Select come out on top and will be using them in the future. I found an amazing job and was so sad to leave it as I have continued my journey at university.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Chelmsford

Lovely Agency to Temp With

“Lovely agency to Temp with. Always there for advice and respond quickly to any queries I have had over the last couple of months. I would like to thank the team for the incredible service they have provided me, very professional and they really care about their work.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Oxford

Cannot Recommend Them Enough

“Select Appointments are an AMAZING agency!

My consultant believed in me and saw my strengths. He gave me back my work confidence then found me my dream job. Nothing is too much trouble. The team are with you every step of the way ensuring that you are well prepared. I cannot recommend Select highly enough.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Northampton

Genuine Care

“Probably the very first agency that provided amazing customer experience to me. Staff are very professional and friendly to the point where they have managed to find something that suits me in the first 30 minutes of walking in for the first time. Paperwork isn’t as burdensome as in other recruitment agencies which is a big plus. I got an impression of genuine care from them due to the fact that they were always in contact with me and whenever I had an enquiry they responded asap.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Lincoln

Dedication is Abundantly Clear

“I am an IT Engineer specialising in Apple systems. Over the course of 1 year I entertained many recruiters claiming their understanding and ability in finding a position that suited my expertise.

Chris Lo is the 1st (& only) recruiter in my experience that not only dedicated & understood my goals, but also had the technical education to fully understand my abilities and provide appropriate prospects. This lead to my current position with a company & group of people I want to stay with indefinitely.

Chris’s dedication is abundantly clear; extremely communicative and driven nature, exemplifies his passion and character.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Croydon

The Seven Cs of Recruitment

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.