Hays Human Resources - October 2008

Hotspots

Candidates with strong HR generalist skills have become a hotspot of demand. There is a shortage of HR advisors and consultants with 3-5 years experience and recruiters with industry-specific experience. End-to-end recruitment is the focus, particularly when going in-house.

As a result of increased focus on risk mitigation, employers have become very aware of the costs of injury claims and workers compensation premiums. This has resulted in demand for Occupational Health and Safety professionals who can deliver plans to reduce these costs. With legislative changes, employment relations professionals are required to provide Equal Employment Opportunity advice.

Remuneration and benefits professionals are in high demand as employers seek more imaginative salary packages to retain talent. Similarly, there is a hotspot of demand for learning and development professionals as employers looks at succession planning for retention.

Contractors are in demand with seasonal fluctuations creating a need over the holiday and New Year period.

The coming quarter

Both temporary and permanent recruitment will continue to remain active over the coming quarter, creating a stable job flow. Financial services roles will be in shorter supply while resources and mining industry vacancies will persist. The areas of mining, engineering, oil and gas, and construction will similarly remain strong.

Executive recruitment

Executive vacancies are most prevalent in the resources and mining sector due to increased movement within the sector. This movement at the executive level is expected to have a domino effect on the rest of the industry.

Salaries

After an increase in salaries this time last year, salaries are expected to remain fairly stable. There is a need to redress candidate expectations and this can be achieved through non-monetary benefits such as better working hours and long-term career opportunities.

Candidate trends

Candidate mobility at the senior HR advisor and HR manager level has increased, with many candidates seeking to move after just 18 month to 2 years tenure.

The entry-level end of the market is very competitive and will continue to be so. This is partly due to an influx of international candidates who are unable to secure management-level positions given the vast differences in employment legislation.