UK unemployment: A changing appetite in what companies evaluate in a candidate

Finding and retaining skilled professionals has become increasingly challenging for business.

The UK jobless rate has risen to 8.4% of the population; 2.67 million people are now out of work in the UK. 

One would expect to find companies are simply not hiring. But, further evidence has emerged that the unemployed are just not a good fit for what businesses are demanding. 

Following today’s ONS unemployment figures, Richard Baker, Director at the specialist recruitment consultancy Robert Half UK says:

"Once again today’s figures from the ONS show a negative outlook in the jobs market. However, there is still increasing supply and demand for jobs in specialised areas such as accountancy, finance, IT and financial services, which are all faring far better than the national average. Interestingly, we are seeing a changing appetite in what companies evaluate in a candidate, with hiring managers looking to recruit ‘specialists’ who can make an immediate difference to a business and ultimately the bottom line. Finding and retaining skilled professionals has become increasingly challenging and those who are able to provide this ‘return-on-capital’ are highly sought after. 

"Despite reported challenges facing the private sector, recent research carried out last month (January) by Robert Half among 600 senior executives from across UK businesses to determine their hiring plans for the first half of 2012, shows that a net 14% of executives plan to increase their permanent headcount in the first half of the year – which is extremely encouraging.  Rising workloads continue to present obstacles to these organisations and is the primary reason cited among 50% of executives surveyed for adding staff.

"The government’s ‘Youth Contract’ will play a key role in stimulating the jobs market. It’s imperative that employers create opportunities for graduates, whether that comes in the form of an internship or training programmes, to ensure we avoid a lost generation of talent that will impact the modern workforce for years to come. Work experience is invaluable for new job hunters and it is here that organisations can really make a difference.”

By Gary Howes