U.K. Employment Trends to Hold Steady in the New Year, According to CareerBuilder's 2011 Job Forecast
By Careerbuilder.co.uk, PRNETuesday, January 11, 2011
LONDON, January 12, 2011 - Cautious hiring trends are expected to carry over into the New Year as UK
employers closely monitor the nation's economic recovery, according to
CareerBuilder's 2011 Job Forecast. While the majority of UK employers (73 per
cent) described their organisation's financial performance as steady or
growing, 28 per cent reported it is declining or uncertain. Thirty-nine per
cent of UK employers plan to add new employees in 2011 with a mix of
full-time, part-time, contract or temporary workers and interns. One-in-five
(20 per cent) plan to add full-time, permanent staff. The study was conducted
from 17 November to 17 December on behalf of CareerBuilder.co.uk and included
194 UK business leaders across industries.
"Employers are hiring again, albeit at a guarded pace," said Tony Roy,
President of CareerBuilder EMEA. "Our survey and job posting activity on
CareerBuilder.co.uk point to gradual, moderate improvements in the UK job
market in 2011. We'll see more jobs added across a variety of industries, but
it will still be a highly competitive job market."
Top Functional Areas Employers Are Recruiting for in 2011
UK employers are focusing on functional areas that have the greatest
impact on revenue first. Creating new efficiencies, driving innovation to
open new revenue streams, extending customer reach and strengthening customer
loyalty are among top priorities within organisations. Technology is the
number one area cited for hiring with one-in-five employers planning to add
headcount:
- Technology - 20 per cent - Sales - 18 per cent - Engineering - 14 per cent - Creative/design - 12 per cent - Customer service - 10 per cent - Marketing - 8 per cent
Emerging Opportunities
UK employers also reported the need for workers to fill what they
consider emerging positions within their organisations. Green jobs, or
environmentally-focused positions, were cited most often in terms of new
opportunities followed by positions centered around global relations, social
media, the use of mobile technology and cyber security.
Temporary or Contract Hiring
Businesses will be relying on interim solutions to help shoulder growing
workloads. Eighteen percent of UK employers plan to hire temporary or
contract workers to help supplement leaner staffs.
Entry-level Hiring
In addition to seasoned workers, employers will be investing in the next
generation of talent for their organisations. Thirty-one per cent of those
hiring plan to recruit recent college graduates in 2011.
Compensation
Twenty-seven per cent of UK employers are concerned that best talent will
leave their organisations once the economy improves, as heftier workloads and
longer hours take their toll on worker morale. Thirty per cent said they will
increase compensation for their existing staff in 2011 with the majority
estimating the raise will be three per cent or less. Twenty-two per cent of
those hiring will provide higher initial job offers to job candidates with
most increases likely falling within the same 1 to 3 per cent range.
*Totals may not equal 100 per cent due to rounding.
Survey Methodology
An online survey of 757 business leaders in the UK, France, Germany,
Italy and Sweden was conducted in a range of organisations between 17
November and 17 December. Business leaders included C-level executives,
directors and senior managers with recruitment responsibilities. The survey
was conducted online by Shape the Future, a market research agency based near
London which specialises in high speed online research.
The total sample size in the UK was 194, giving a margin of error of 7.04
per cent at 95 per cent confidence. The survey was conducted strictly
according to the code of conduct of the UK's Market Research Society.
About CareerBuilder.co.uk
CareerBuilder UK is one of the most visited online job sites in the
United Kingdom. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company, The
McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT),
CareerBuilder.co.uk powers the career centres for hundreds of UK sites that
reach national, local, industry and niche audiences. For more information
about CareerBuilder products and services, visit
www.careerbuilder.co.uk.
Media Contact: Claire McCowan LewisPR +44(0)207-802-2626 Claire.mccowan@lewispr.com
Claire McCowan of LewisPR, +44(0)207-802-2626, Claire.mccowan at lewispr.com, for Career Builder, Inc.
Tags: Careerbuilder.co.uk, England, January 12, London