ëNew bloodí to boost bottom line

According to findings from Jobsite.co.ukís report on hiring in an economic downturn, ëRecessional recruitingí:

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

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

According to Jobsiteís new research report ëRecessional recruitingí (www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport) many industries, including retail and recruitment, are currently aiming to attract ënew bloodí 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: ìAs the recession continues, your recruitment plans will undoubtedly be impacted. Itís important for all businesses to have plans in place to work through the period in as smooth a way as possible while remaining competitive.

ìA 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.

ìIf recruitment really isnít an option, look at how you can utilise other existing talent and adjust roles and responsibilities across the organisation.î

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 isnít 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 theyíre 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 wonít necessarily be senior managers. Itís also worth identifying the employees who can push things forward during tough times. Once youíve 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.

Jobsiteís report on hiring in an economic downturn, ëRecessional recruitingí is available to download for free at www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport