Index shows strong increase in HR jobs and candidate confidence

The number of human resources jobs being advertised has increased dramatically compared to last year, according to recruiter The Oakleaf Partnership.
Tue, 15 Oct 2013
The number of human resources jobs being advertised has increased dramatically compared to last year, according to recruiter The Oakleaf Partnership.

Oakleaf’s HR Job Index registered a 90% year-on-year increase in new positions in the industry and commerce sector, 87% in financial services and 73% in professional services. The report noted that within the industry and commerce sector FMCG, pharmaceutical, engineering and retail were performing particularly well.

Nicola Grimshaw, chief executive officer at Oakleaf Partnership, tells recruiter.co.uk: “Through the course of the year we’ve seen greater confidence. In the last quarter, we’ve seen more candidates and, for the first time, when candidates are offered new positions they can have multiple offers and current employers are trying to buy them back – there’s a greater level of competition.”

Grimshaw added hiring is arising from the growth of HR teams, as opposed to simply replacing existing positions, the demands of on-going HR transformation programmes and greater activity in SME businesses.

Energy and construction were the only sectors to register a year-on-year decline, although the report said this was “minimal”.

Oakleaf has increased its fee earner head count in response to the additional demand, targeting an increased presence in the industry & commerce, and reward & analytic sectors.

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