OSA Recruitment’s view of the local job market
7 September 2009
FOLLOWING the summer break Nick Graham, managing director of OSA Recruitment, is quietly confident that the job market is beginning to pick up.
“Businesses may have been experiencing a quiet spell over the summer holiday period but having weathered what some would consider the peak of the economic storm earlier in the Spring, I am confident that we are set for one of the busiest periods of the year.”
Even though OSA Recruitment still has more candidates than vacancies to fill, Mr Graham believes it’s highly likely that this situation will change over the next few months.
“There is no getting away from the fact that it remains a difficult market for recruiters but contrary to what one might have speculated, there isn’t a large pool of people with specialist expertise to choose from”, he said.
“Now is the time when employers will start looking at their budgets and staffing levels for next year so it’s the ideal time to start preparing yourself if you are looking for a career change or a new job.”
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) recently conducted an online poll of over 100 HR professionals as well as drawing from the results of the quarterly Employee Outlook survey of over 3,000 employees.
In their findings they both identified transferable/flexible skills as the key attribute applicants should be demonstrating in the current climate. The results also identified that business acumen and demonstrating a fit with the culture and values of the organisation were also key attributes to make candidates stand out from the crowd.
With over 200 jobs available with OSA Recruitment, both in the financial and commercial market, there are still plenty of opportunities for experienced and qualified candidates.
Candidates need to pay particular care over their applications. CVs need to be strong and concise, and interview techniques must be well honed. Organisations are demanding more from their candidates, and applicants need to be prepared for this. They need to be passionate about their prospective job, well researched, and show insight and knowledge of the organisation.
“Perhaps this is pushing it a little too far but people may have seen some recent national news coverage about a graduate from Swansea University who was looking for a job and wanted to make his CV stand out. He did so by standing on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, as part of the Sculptor Antony Gormley’s “One and Other” project, displaying a large banner to advertise himself. In so doing he was offered a top sales executive job for the International Business Development Group,” said Mr Graham.
“Now is the time to think differently and creatively to market yourself as professionally as possible. There are many opportunities out there, just with a little more healthy competition.”
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