Despite “softer recruitment demand” this year, Chinese HR and recruitment services provider 51job has seen total second quarter revenue increase 11% year-on-year to RMB508m (£51.5m), exceeding expectations.

Q2 gross profit increased 11.2% to RMB362.2m.

The company’s unaudited financial results for the quarter ended 30 June 2015 show revenue from online recruitment services increased 7.6% to RMB335.7m. Revenue from other HR services increased 19.5% to RMB171.1m.

In its financial statement, the company said growth in the online recruitment services division was primarily due to an increase (7.3% to 300,681) of unique employers and greater usage of its services. Revenue was, however, negatively affected by the 1 June 2014 introduction of a 6% value-added tax (VAT) policy designed by the Chinese government to help modernise the tax system.

Growth in the Other HR services division was credited to greater customer adoption of business process outsourcing and training services.

51job president and chief executive Rick Yan said in the statement the company was experiencing a “period of softer recruitment demand” this year, and the HR services division was maintaining “solid growth momentum”.

During the quarter, the company closed the acquisition of Yingjiesheng.com, a recruitment website focusing on college graduates and students. 

It also completed an investment for a 60% equity interest in talent assessment services provider Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting.