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HR recruitment - August 2009
HR News |
17/08/2009
It might not be a sentiment that will go down well with all workers, but perhaps people should spare a thought for their firms' HR staff during what are no doubt stressful times. The longer the recession rolls on the more unpleasant tasks they face. Pay freezes and job cuts might hit the affected staff hardest, but breaking the news in the first place is not going to be at the top of many people's favourite list of tasks. With talk of double dips, second waves and further redundancies, those in HR have a lot on their plate as they attempt to walk the fine line between surviving during the recession and preparing for the recovery. Then, to make matters worse, 95 per cent of employees turn around and tell the European Leadership Programme that HR is not vital to their firm's success. All in all, it is probably enough to make people think about looking for a new job. But are there any out there?
As with much of the economy at the moment, the HR jobs market is not exactly brimming with confidence and yet there are faint glimmers of hope. The latest figures from the Ashdown Group Job Index revealed that the number of positions on offer in the sector was static during July. This is excellent news given the usual seasonal fall that the summer months would see.
Diccon Lynes, director of the Ashdown Group, announced that HR appeared to be ahead of many other sectors in its recession curve. Although often one of the first departments to be reviewed for redundancy, usually it is one of the first to see growth, as firms begin to recruit again.
He said: "Competition for qualified HR managers is still fierce, as forward-thinking companies seek to attract the strongest people to manage their recruitment drive. Senior business managers are seeing this as an opportunity to rebuild teams from the ground and have already started by bringing on board proven HR professionals, so that previous mistakes are not repeated."
So what skills will employers be looking for from HR staff as the recession edges into recovery? According to Stephanie Bird, director of HR capability at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the recent MacLeod Review on employee engagement holds the key.
She said: "Employer response to the recession suggests that an ever-increasing number recognise people are indeed their greatest asset.
"HR professionals will see this report as an endorsement of what many of them are already doing, as well as a stimulus to do more."
It seems then, the scramble for talent will see businesses looking to appoint HR staff with a proven track record - those who are able to boost current employee engagement and recruit the very best new employees in a rising market. People who have made strides in this area might find they are able to secure a new position at one of the enlightened firms where their efforts will be appreciated.
Posted by Jon Aspinell.
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