Over the past few weeks, there have been regular reports that the number of job advertisements is falling massively in the current crisis and that significantly fewer staff are being sought. At the same time, unemployment figures are rising and more people are looking for jobs. As an active sourcing company, we have many conversations with employers and employees. During these exchanges, we realise that these figures and trends apply to individual sectors, but that the opposite is happening in other areas. In general, the dynamics of the labour market are visible and where there is movement, there are always opportunities.
Wait and see due to uncertainty
Many companies are holding off on advertising jobs due to the uncertain situation. They are recruiting where the search for new employees is already at an advanced stage, but are reluctant to start new recruitment processes. As soon as they are able to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on their business to some extent, they want to resume recruitment.
Exploiting the current opportunities on the labour market
In our view, the current situation can be an opportunity for many companies in terms of recruitment. The crisis is leading employees to analyse their own working environment. They are asking themselves questions about their employer's behaviour during the crisis and how things will continue afterwards. Topics such as job security, the meaningfulness of their own work and the possibility of flexible working are coming into focus. They also rethink their own values and the balance between work and family. Analysing the environment often also leads to a move to a personnel consultant. In a discreet and neutral environment, discussions can be held about a possible professional future without directly revealing oneself as a job seeker.
Openness in times of change
In our current search assignments, we have noticed that employees are open to changing jobs. Potential candidates are very open in the context of direct approaches. We meet many of them in Home office and the initial conversations are very relaxed. This setting means that the success rate of our telephone calls is significantly higher.
Recruitment is currently interpreted as a strength of the employer 
When employers are actively filling vacancies at the moment, this is associated with economic strength and security on the part of potential candidates. For this reason, we are convinced that this is a good time to fill vacancies and that companies that wait too long are missing out on an interesting opportunity.
As indivHR, we support you in your search for suitable candidates and fill your candidate pipeline.
