According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), job vacancies have hit a record high as the economic recovery continues, rising to above one million for the first time since records began in 2001. Despite employment lifting to pre-pandemic levels in August, a number of key industries are facing concentrated recruitment difficulties.
Why Is the Job Market So Busy?
There are several reasons why the market has soared in recent months, the pandemic being the main one. Sectors have been turned on and off, as human behaviours and government regulations respond to high virus prevalence. Businesses in industries such as hospitality are therefore subjected to a higher level of acute short-term staffing challenges than in lesser affected industries.
For UK businesses affected by the loosening of lockdown restrictions, it wasn’t as simple as turning the electricity back on when finally given the green light. Labour shortages have formed because everywhere is hiring at once, leaving a backlog of vacancies that need to be filled. Workers aren’t necessarily in the same places as the businesses that require them; workers may not be prepared to start straight away, or those available may not be a great match for the roles in question. The frictions in matching workers to vacancies has led to uneven employment impacts throughout the economy.
What Can Hiring Managers Do to Attract the Right Candidates?
The previous eighteen months has seen millions of redundancies, dismissals, and furloughs, leaving people jobless or exacerbating feelings of job insecurity. Consequently, candidates searching for a job are no longer simply looking at the role itself. They’re interested in the business, the culture it fosters and its core values. In times of economic hardship, it is vital that hiring managers are in a position to offer stability and opportunities for career progression.
It is equally important for businesses to recognise the ways in which the pandemic has changed how people work. Hiring managers mustn’t neglect the benefits of flexible working and how it can be advertised to attract the best and brightest talent. It’s also worth considering whether vacancies can be offered as flexible part-time, as an option for candidates at varying stages of their lives. Students, for example, can therefore benefit from a reduced workload while still having career progression opportunities open to them.
What Can Impression Recruitment Do to Help?
Having provided recruitment services for over a decade, we have a wealth of experience in finding the perfect fit for both clients and candidates. Our dedicated recruitment specialists develop a strong understanding of the client’s culture and values, and we utilise our wide network of connections to find the right candidate for the role.
Get in touch to discuss your recruitment requirements today: https://www.impressionrecruitment.co.uk/contact/