Nearly half of employers (49%) plan to hire specialists and managers in the coming quarter of this year, and only 13% plan to shred staff according to new international study “Global Snapshot” conducted by recruitment firm Antal International. The easiest job to find will be in software IT industry (80% of employers plan to recruit), telecommunications (69%) and pharmacy (62%).
On February 3, 2010 Antal International published an international report “The Global Snapshot” prepared on the basis of anonymous surveys and interviews with more than 6,000 companies in over 30 countries worldwide. Respondents were asked about trends in employment (recruitment and redundancies) at the moment and the forecast for the next three months.
“Although a few countries are still seeing a decline in the employment market, the global picture has definitely improved once again” explains Artur Skiba, Managing Director of Antal International. “It does seem as if organisations of all sizes are approaching 2010 with more confidence than would have seemed possible in the very dark days of January 2009. As a result we are already seeing the first clear signs of organisations thinking in terms of the ‘war for talent’ once more with more robust businesses making early moves to snap up the best people in their markets before general recovery becomes too apparent”. In Poland, the hiring levels dropped from 53% last autumn to 48% at present, but the percentage of companies declaring the reductions has also decreased rapidly from 28% to one of the lowest in the world 15%.” I think that a wave of mass redundancies of Polish experts is far behind us”.
What sector will be the easiest for managers and professionals to find a job in? Companies from the following industries declare the highest predicted hiring rates of employment: telecommunications (69%), pharmacy (62%) and banking (58%). The lowest hiring levels come from: engineering (18%), finance and accounting (33%), FMCG (44%) and automotive (46%). The biggest amount of lay-offs are expected in the FMCG sector (37% declare reductions) and telecommunications (31%).
How are the ‘Global Snapshot’ results look like in other countries?
Western Europe
The highest current hiring levels amongst the larger economies were in the UK (59%), France (55%), and Germany (51%). However many of the smaller countries bettered their larger neighbours, namely Switzerland (64%), Austria (58%) and Luxembourg (58%).The lowest levels of hiring were in Malta at 31% and Spain at just 30%
Eastern Europe and Eurasia
The highest recruiting levels in this region were in Russia (71%), the Czech Republic (57%), Romania (55%) and Poland (48%). Hungary’s well-documented economic problems meant that it had the lowest level of hiring in the region with only 28% of businesses questioned actively seeking new managers or professionals although this was an improvement on the autumn figure of just 26%.
Africa and the Middle East
After a rebound to 61% in September from April’s low of 51%, hiring levels in Egypt continue to rise, albeit at a more modest rate to 65%. Despite the well-publicised economic pains of Dubai, the region as a whole seems to be holding up well with hiring levels rising from 46% in September to 51% now. Confidence in the future is also gathering strength with 62% of businesses expecting to hire in the coming quarter in comparison to only 49% in September. In South Africa hiring rates have climbed from the autumn’s 45% to 49% now, whilst Nigeria registers the highest level of recruitment across the 30 countries – 79%.
Asia
Hiring levels have dipped slightly in China from a high of 74% recorded in September, but employers appear to be confident about recruitment plans for the coming quarter with 74% of businesses planning to increase headcount. The percentage of organisations shedding staff at professional and managerial level has dropped markedly from 34% to 25% and looks set to drop again over the next three months. In India after a depressing start to 2009 when hiring levels at professional and managerial level had sunk as low as 29% the country is now back up a figure of 71%. The percentage or organisations shedding staff has also dropped from 22% in September to just 16% now.
The Americas
With the economic picture in the USA remains mixed the latest Snapshot suggests that the professional and managerial jobs market has remained static since September. However the percentage of organisations shedding staff has declined from 34% to 29% with employers expecting a further drop over the next three months. Hiring levels in Brazil have dropped slightly from the 56% registered in September to 50%, but employers seem optimistic about growth in the executive jobs market over the coming quarter. At the same time the percentage of organisations shedding staff has dropped markedly, from 28% to just 16% now.
About Antal International
Founded in 1993, Antal International is an executive recruitment specialist with a particular focus on the sourcing and retention of candidates at professional and managerial level. The company now has 57 offices in 28 countries and works with many of the world’s most successful and ambitious multi-nationals. Our consultants are divided according to matrix portfolio. This methodology enables them to fully understand client’s expectations and verify candidate’s skills and their knowledge in specific disciplines and sectors.
Antal International’s Warsaw office was established in 1996 with the specific aim of serving the recruitment needs of major multinational organisations entering the market. Our reputation was built upon being able to quickly and effectively recruit highly skilled, dynamic and successful people. With our unique tailored approach to each assignment we undertake and because of the fact we believe in working closely with our clients to fully understand their needs and company culture, ever increasing amounts of clients are returning to Antal International time and time again.
Antal International’ divisions are devoted to complete assignments in the following areas: Sales & Marketing, Pharmacy, Retail, HR/Human Resources, Accountancy & Finance, Banking, Law & Law, IT & Telecom, Engineering, Logistics, Operations, Real Estate & Construction.
Methodology
This edition of the Antal International ‘Global Snapshot’ is based upon survey forms and telephone interviews completed by owners, managing directors, line and HR managers in 6151 companies, professional partnerships and financial institutions across 30 countries between 1st December and 31st December 2009. In Poland 820 businesses took part.
Each respondent was asked whether they were currently hiring or letting go professional/managerial staff and whether they intended to over the coming quarter. All respondents were guaranteed anonymity to encourage open and honest answers.
