Excellent candidates now shape the market for rec-to-rec assignments with top billers always in demand, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s R2R sector group.

The group noted the increasing power top billers have in deciding where they want to work. More recruitment firms are now saying yes to good candidates, even if the firms were not actively looking for new staff. This trend is more prevalent among small boutique recruiters, who have survived the recession and are now looking to grow with the economy to take the marketshare from larger recruitment firms.

However, the group said that firms are focusing more on acquiring a good corporate fit.

Tim Connolly, chair of the REC R2R group, says: “The market is being shaped by the willingness of good candidates to move. Many who stayed put during the recession, took a career break or braved it to start their own recruitment firms are being tempted back, but on their terms.

Other trends indicated by members include an exodus of public sector recruiters, most of whom struggle to fit in with the fast-moving private sector recruitment sector and instead opt to move in-house. Key sectors of growth indicated by the group include legal, finance, energy and IT.