Recruitment: the outlook for 2012

Tom Irwin, Commercial Director

Rewarding though unpredictable, there’s no denying that the recruitment industry is a SWOT analyst’s dream.

The number of threats and sheer level of competition has increased in recent years from internal resourcing teams and, with the rise of technology, there's no doubt we are having to work harder now than ever before - though with this we have also been presented with a huge number of opportunities.

At Quest, we enjoy working with resourcing teams who take pride in their work and champion the recruitment process as much as we do. We fight against the sometimes deserved perception of recruitment as an industry which thrives on short-termism and avoid the shoddy practices that, in an essentially unlegislated industry, have been all too commonplace. The much-publicised tighter market means that other firms with such reputations have fallen by the wayside while others have flourished through hard work and a strong work ethic.

I believe that the real strength of the recruitment industry is its ability to provide a genuine consultancy service and, as consumer sector specialists, we are willing to be adaptable and use our in-depth knowledge to help you find the perfect job or candidate.

Recruiter Magazine’s 2011 Hot 100 highlights the importance of such knowledge, as SME recruiters continue to outperform competitors while generalist recruiters who are 'jacks of all trades' have struggled.

Evolving technology is also crucial to our work and recruiters should be embracing this, as I believe that 2012 will see the continuing rise of social networks and online media being used to connect with candidates and clients in a simple but vital way. As a company, we have welcomed the opportunities that technology presents, with a new look website and an increasing presence on LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as new smartphone apps. This focus on digital marketing means that we are speaking directly to our candidate base more frequently and our networking has gone online – we take the view that, what was once a recruiter’s little black book of contacts, is now an almost endless virtual network!

Many may feel downhearted about the jobs market, as this week’s official government figures for the three months to November 2011 reveal that unemployment is at a 16-year high, while Michael Page – a canary in the cage for all of us in the industry – have issued a profit warning, though there is much to remain upbeat about at the start of the year.

With the Olympic year sure to entice people into shops, the retail sector is likely to thrive in the next 12 months and there are plenty of growth areas. Customer Insights, Digital and the UK manufacturing industry are all growing and good candidates with the right skills are in high demand.

Whatever your area of expertise, our solid contact base will ensure that we can place you in a suitable position and offer advice at every stage of the process, helping you to reach your goal for 2012.

• Tom Irwin, Commercial Director at Quest Search & Selection

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