19 December 2008:
2008 began with truckloads of optimism in the recruitment industry and ends with... a little less optimism but lots of promise.
Perhaps much of Australia was naive about the potential flow-on effects of the US financial crisis, but early in the year the market`s best indicators forecast the industry would go "gangbusters" in 2008, with employers reporting their highest-ever levels of hiring optimism.
In February the US economy was still only "uncertain" and the local recruitment industry remained focused on the talent shortage, predicting salary rises of up to 15 per cent across the board. (And in mining, executives` salaries were rising by as much as 55 per cent).
March`s indicators labelled the softening demand as "relief" for recruiters, but correctly predicted the market had reached its "tipping point". Ironically, this occurred at the same time as unemployment hit a 34-year-low.
By May, the RCSA`s surveys showed recruiters were "nervous" about the economy but the news came at the same time as job ads rose for the first time this year.
"Downturn" thinking didn`t permeate the industry until mid-year. Recruiter Daily responded with tips on how to sell harder when the economy slows, guide clients through a slowdown, add more value and adapt sales efforts to the market.
Did somebody say 15 per cent payrises? By August, recruiters` salary growth was forecast to slow to four per cent, but two months later many consultants were happy just to keep their jobs as recruitment industry confidence plummeted and companies began shedding staff.
Oh, and then confidence plummeted some more.
Because we`d like to end on a positive note, here`s a round-up of some of the hottest topics in recruitment this year (and none mentions the "r" word).
Get motivated!
Perhaps reflecting the tougher conditions, Recruiter Daily was inundated this year with requests for articles on how to stay motivated at work.
Sophie Robertson`s "ask an expert" articles on how to stay positive when office morale is low and how to keep a team motivated were among her most popular.
If you need help setting goals for 2009, try these eight steps from a career coach or take an athlete`s approach to your career.
Read more about setting and achieving your goals.
Manage your time
With subscribers always on the lookout for ways to spend their time more productively, this year`s articles on time management ranked among our most popular.
Ross Clennett`s twelve ways to stop wasting time topped this list, followed by our expert`s tips on task management, advice from top-billing consultants and a framework for more efficient use of email.
Read more on time management.
Show some restraint
The restraint battles that hit the courts this year further clarify this important legal area for recruiters.
In April, Hays successfully restrained two former employees from working in competition with it. The court specifically found that a four-month ban on recruiting in the same industry (banking and finance) and state (Victoria), and a six-month ban on soliciting former clients were reasonable.
Later in the year, former employees of Think Global convinced a court that a lot of information about contingent recruitment was in the public domain, and that their undertakings not to use the company`s confidential information - in combination with other factors - meant an injunction stopping them working would be unfair.
Read more on restraint clauses.
Get your house in order
Especially for our internal recruitment subscribers, this year Recruiter Daily scheduled regular chats with InsideJob`s Martin Warren, on topics ranging from job briefs and trial closes, to EVP promotion and internet search techniques.
Other popular in-house articles this year covered tactics to keep "second-place" candidates warm, talent pooling and CRM.
Get some of the action
If you read our articles this year thinking "I said that last month!" or "what utter bullsh*t!" or anything else in between, don`t feel the need to remain in the background in 2009.
Share your industry observations, hot practical tips and controversial comments with 11,000 other recruiters by emailing jo@recruiterdaily.com.au.
We`ll resume publishing on 20 January. Until then, our archive of 1000+ articles remains accessible. Best wishes for the festive season!
Source:
http://www.recruiterdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&nav=1&selkey=38513
2008 began with truckloads of optimism in the recruitment industry and ends with... a little less optimism but lots of promise.
Perhaps much of Australia was naive about the potential flow-on effects of the US financial crisis, but early in the year the market`s best indicators forecast the industry would go "gangbusters" in 2008, with employers reporting their highest-ever levels of hiring optimism.
In February the US economy was still only "uncertain" and the local recruitment industry remained focused on the talent shortage, predicting salary rises of up to 15 per cent across the board. (And in mining, executives` salaries were rising by as much as 55 per cent).
March`s indicators labelled the softening demand as "relief" for recruiters, but correctly predicted the market had reached its "tipping point". Ironically, this occurred at the same time as unemployment hit a 34-year-low.
By May, the RCSA`s surveys showed recruiters were "nervous" about the economy but the news came at the same time as job ads rose for the first time this year.
"Downturn" thinking didn`t permeate the industry until mid-year. Recruiter Daily responded with tips on how to sell harder when the economy slows, guide clients through a slowdown, add more value and adapt sales efforts to the market.
Did somebody say 15 per cent payrises? By August, recruiters` salary growth was forecast to slow to four per cent, but two months later many consultants were happy just to keep their jobs as recruitment industry confidence plummeted and companies began shedding staff.
Oh, and then confidence plummeted some more.
Because we`d like to end on a positive note, here`s a round-up of some of the hottest topics in recruitment this year (and none mentions the "r" word).
Get motivated!
Perhaps reflecting the tougher conditions, Recruiter Daily was inundated this year with requests for articles on how to stay motivated at work.
Sophie Robertson`s "ask an expert" articles on how to stay positive when office morale is low and how to keep a team motivated were among her most popular.
If you need help setting goals for 2009, try these eight steps from a career coach or take an athlete`s approach to your career.
Read more about setting and achieving your goals.
Manage your time
With subscribers always on the lookout for ways to spend their time more productively, this year`s articles on time management ranked among our most popular.
Ross Clennett`s twelve ways to stop wasting time topped this list, followed by our expert`s tips on task management, advice from top-billing consultants and a framework for more efficient use of email.
Read more on time management.
Show some restraint
The restraint battles that hit the courts this year further clarify this important legal area for recruiters.
In April, Hays successfully restrained two former employees from working in competition with it. The court specifically found that a four-month ban on recruiting in the same industry (banking and finance) and state (Victoria), and a six-month ban on soliciting former clients were reasonable.
Later in the year, former employees of Think Global convinced a court that a lot of information about contingent recruitment was in the public domain, and that their undertakings not to use the company`s confidential information - in combination with other factors - meant an injunction stopping them working would be unfair.
Read more on restraint clauses.
Get your house in order
Especially for our internal recruitment subscribers, this year Recruiter Daily scheduled regular chats with InsideJob`s Martin Warren, on topics ranging from job briefs and trial closes, to EVP promotion and internet search techniques.
Other popular in-house articles this year covered tactics to keep "second-place" candidates warm, talent pooling and CRM.
Get some of the action
If you read our articles this year thinking "I said that last month!" or "what utter bullsh*t!" or anything else in between, don`t feel the need to remain in the background in 2009.
Share your industry observations, hot practical tips and controversial comments with 11,000 other recruiters by emailing jo@recruiterdaily.com.au.
We`ll resume publishing on 20 January. Until then, our archive of 1000+ articles remains accessible. Best wishes for the festive season!
Source:
http://www.recruiterdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&nav=1&selkey=38513
