Confidence soars in PR and marcomms recruitment

Client confidence has soared in the past two months according to PR and marcomms recruitment specialists, Hanson Search.

ìWeíve been inundated with new roles,î says Alice Weightman, Hanson Search Director, ìand are experiencing up to a 200% increase in new positions over the past two months compared to those available in June and July 2009î.

Alice dismisses the suggestion that the sudden leap in activity is symptomatic of a market gearing up after a summer break but believes it signifies a long-awaited return of market confidence.

According to Hanson Searchís most recent figures, the market sectors rallying most between August and September 2009 are:

Technology B2B - 200% increase in new positions
Corporate - 100% increase in new positions
Digital - 100% increase in new positions
Financial – 80% increase in new positions
Consumer – 60% increase in new positions

In the UK market, Healthcare and Public Affairs activity has also increased, although to a lesser extent, with a 20% increase in new positions. Activity in the French market has also increased by 50%, especially in the technology and digital sectors.

An influx of new roles isnít the only measure of increasing client confidence: the time taken from first interview to offer stage has halved from this time six months ago.

ìStaggering the interview to offer stage has been a common feature of the recruitment process during the recession. Whereas a delay of three months was the standard amongst agencies and businesses six months ago, itís now down to a much more reasonable six weeks or even less in junior rolesî

Alice attributes the sudden surge in client confidence and recruitment activity to a number of contributory factors.

She says: ìWhilst thereís been a lot of talk about returning confidence, weíre now seeing action – amongst clients and candidates. The stockmarket has rallied in recent months leading to an increase in corporate and financial affairs positions. Meanwhile, organizations are now using their available revenue streams to bring digital positions in-house rather than outsourcing – a trend which will only gather momentum over the coming months and years. These contributory factors mean that clients have the confidence to offer positions whilst candidates have the confidence to move jobs, creating more vacancies.î