Cherry Professional

The professional sector recruitment market has been an interesting and challenging place to be during the last 18 months. At Cherry Professional we've noticed some interesting trends and changes.

As businesses have downsized or felt the pinch of the recession, there has been a significant increase in job seekers on the market due to redundancy. Simple economics and the law of demand and supply tell us that if there is an increase in supply and a reduction in demand in a given market, this will result in a reduction in price.

This has been true in the recruitment industry, with candidates moving for the same salary and sometimes less, to get back to work - there has also been some downward pressure on recruitment fees!

Anticipation of the Government Spending Review towards the end of 2010 increased uncertainty and in our opinion delayed already overdue recruitment decisions. As we move into March 2011, memories of last year are fading and we are seeing a continual growth in recruitment activity at all levels. Clearly, due to the organisational set up in the majority of businesses (i.e. fewer senior jobs) there is always more activity and volume at lower salary levels.

Last year we saw instances where a finance director who had been made redundant might consider a financial controller position to get back to work. As the market picks up there is potentially an interesting impact waiting in the wings. Employers who got a ‘salary bargain' last year might find their new recruit walking out the door as they look to get back to the remuneration levels they once had!

Despite some improved confidence we are by no means out of the woods and there is still plenty of work for turnaround and recovery specialists. However, one thing remains true - businesses will still need to recruit and well prepared candidates with the right career advice, a strong CV and good interview technique will always find work.