Intro.

We’re now in June. Halfway through this year. It recently dawned on me that for half of 2020 we’ve been in lock down. As a result of coronavirus, the restrictions on many businesses, and subsequent knock affects, in some respects it feels like this year hasn’t really got going. At the same time so much has happened, in such a short space of time. I’m also conscious that my recent articles have been biased towards businesses. So to address this, I thought it was time to share some career insights for the Covid-19 era and it’s affect on the job market.

How has Coronavirus affected the job market

So, how has Coronavirus affected the job market? In short, for many industries it’s brought hiring to a sudden halt. However, there is still positivity from some companies in these sectors. They may not be advertising jobs. But we are getting traction with them, through proactive approaches, discussing current available talent.

To assess and answer the question, how has Covid-19 affected the job market, first we need to look at the job market leading up to the pandemic. Secondly, we need to look at the reactions of businesses. And as a result their hiring plans following the outbreak. This will provide balanced insights on the impact of coronavirus to the job market.

Clearly some markets have been more affected than others. Both from a positive and negative perspective. As a result, so has the job market relating to them.

I can only report our findings. Based on conversations with some clients – business leaders and owners. Candidates – industry professionals, and our general observations. As we specialise in niche sectors, many of which are within environmental branding. Therefore, heavily influenced by commercial spaces and public places that have shut throughout the lock down. As a result, our view is influenced by our sector specialism.

The job market pre Covid-19

To provide balanced career insights on the impact of Coronavirus, first lets review the job market pre Covid-19. Without wanting to go to far back, it’s important to briefly summarise the last five years. This traditionally reflects the average economic cycle.

We saw a strong job market in 2015. In fact the strongest I’ve seen in 21 years. However, it declined rapidly in 2016. Finishing 2015 as a record year, we started 2016 with a large number of job vacancies, carried over from the previous year. In short, a number of these job opportunities were put on hold, as companies decided to see the outcome of the EU referendum, before investing in growth. The outcome of the vote to leave the EU sent shockwaves through the business community. This resulted in a decline in confidence. Brexit along with other global political developments affected the UK and international job market, resulting in a drop in job vacancies.

Since the initial shock in 2016, we saw steady year on year growth in the following years. Yet there was certainly still caution from employers. The protracted Brexit negotiations, and ongoing lack of clarity on whether we’d have a deal or no deal Brexit made the job market volatile. And whilst business confidence was increasing since the initial shock, we predicted this year would see a cautious job market as we await the outcome of the final trade negotiations between Britain and the EU.

The job market since Covid-19

Since the financial crash we’ve seen a change in pattern to the job market. Previously the first and last quarters were our strongest. Calculated by the number of vacancies and jobs placed. This was due to companies recruiting and on-boarding new staff at the end of the year, or early in the new year, inline with their business strategy for the year ahead.

After the financial crash this pattern shifted to the second and third quarters being busier. Perhaps in line with our clients market trends. Traditionally our clients are busier during the run up to Easter through to Christmas. This shift may be to reduce the cost of carrying new staff through quieter times. But it comes with the cost of needing new employees to on-board, and get up to speed, quicker than before.

My point is this year hasn’t really got going. January and February were in line with recent trends. We saw normal levels of activity, a slight increase on revenue from the year before, and were in talks with businesses about their recruitment pans for 2020. As such we saw optimism from some companies with ambitious recruitment plans. However, others were still cautious due to the uncertainty of Brexit. However, on the whole, prior to Covid-19, we thought we’d see continued confidence and growth for the job market.

Then the coronavirus struck. Many businesses went into hibernation almost overnight. Particularly in our markets where a large proportion of our clients are involved in environmental branding. As commercial environments and public spaces were off limits, this affected their businesses. Projects were frozen. And as a result the knock on affect was a drop off in new job vacancies. Additionally, most of those we were already working on have been put on hold.

How Covid-19 has affected companies recruitment plans

There’s no denying that covid-19 has affected companies confidence and therefore recruitment plans. As a believer in honest, transparent relationships, I’ll admit currently our incoming job briefs have stopped. Furthermore, many of our previous assignments have been put on hold. Maybe this is only happening to us. I see other recruitment firms, that crossover with our market sectors, posting new job vacancies. However based on the roles they’re advertising, and the feedback were getting from our clients, I’m skeptical. I think some of these job adverts are fictitious, and are an attempt to sign up and acquire contact details of new talent, by unscrupulous recruiters.

Certain roles have been more affected than others. From what we’ve seen many companies initially shut down and furloughed their staff. Others kept a skeleton staff and continued trading. Roles such as project managers and installers have been more affected than others. Those positions more critical at the front end of the business cycle, than the later, may have been kept on, or brought back sooner. i.e. with a decline in projects there’s less need for roles required post sale, than those needed at the front end. Such as sales, marketing and design, etc.

As companies return to trading, we’re seeing a gradual return of staff required at the front end, sales, design and now even production, as projects start to pick up. However, until the later stages of the business cycle, Project Managers and Installers have remained furloughed. Until they’re needed, or business revenue can cover their return, from what we’re hearing from clients is, they’re likely to remain furloughed.

Covid-19 has negatively affected the job market, but there’s signs of positivity & light at the end of the tunnel. Advertised jobs may be down, but companies are still recruiting.

Our take on the covid-19 Job Market

Despite this sounding bleak, our take on the covid-19 job market isn’t all doom and gloom. If you’re entering into the job market due to the affect of coronavirus, there is positivity out there. Whilst incoming job vacancies and job adverts are down, companies are still hiring. They’re just not necessarily advertising current career opportunities. Or briefing recruiters. However throughout the covid-19 lock down we have gained traction with some companies, by taking a proactive approach.

We’re not engaging with as many businesses as we’d like. Or as we do during normal times. But senior leaders are struggling to cope with operating with reduced staff, as well as the impact of the virus. However our take on the covid-19 job market is based on those client companies we’re speaking with. And what were hearing from individuals, contacting us seeking new career opportunities.

The results of which, in short, mean we’re seeing extreme reactions. Some companies have, or are planning to ramp up. Capitalising on current opportunities created by the coronavirus. They’re recruiting now for future growth, and exploiting the influx of talent let go by competitors. The last two weeks we’ve seen a rise in job offers.

Unfortunately, we’re hearing other companies are fearing the unknown. As a result they’re planning for the worst. As the furlough scheme is set to reduce, some are now making redundancies. As such, we’re seeing a rise of individuals contacting us. Either due to redundancy, or because they have little faith in their employers surviving Covid-19.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

Honesty is a trait lacking by many recruitment consultants, and unfortunately the wider industry as a whole. But integrity is key to our mission and values. Whilst this article may paint a bleak outlook for the covid-19 job market, I want to reassure you there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The truth is the job market has been negatively affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Incoming job vacancies, and advertised positions are down. However, companies are still recruiting. Proven by the job offers we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks.

The recruitment process is moving slower than normal. Therefore when you enter into the recruitment process, be aware that from start to offer may take a frustratingly, longer time time than normal. You may also be faced with a job offer that cannot provide a definite start date.

Whilst I’ve never recruited through a pandemic before, my 21 years of experience has seen several periods of economic uncertainty. What this has shown me is there’s always job opportunities for talented people. They may be harder to find but they do exist.

Companies that enter a downturn in bad shape, may make redundancies. Worst still they may not survive. But past recessions have proven some companies thrive during times of economic uncertainty. What we’ve seen during the covid-19 era, is businesses may not be proactively recruiting, but they’re open to exploring new talent. And as seen this week, forward thinking companies are snapping up talent let go by their competitors.

Conclusion

We’re seeing mixed reactions from employers. The extremes are positive and negative, when it comes to businesses current recruitment and staffing plans. To be blunt, the job market has been badly affected by covid-19. But there is still positive signs for the future.

As a business, we’re not going to start advertising fake jobs to attract talent for the future. But if you’re considering future career opportunities, or proactively seeking a new role, we’re here to support you, and offer a range of career services to help your career search.

So, if you’ve got the talent and want to speak with a recruitment consultancy that will be open, honest and act with integrity on your behalf, contact us. We have direct lines of communications with business owners and senior leaders. They may not be proactively recruiting, but are open to discussing recruiting new talent. If you can add value to their business and future strategic plans, then there are job opportunities out there for you.

NB. We are experiencing high volumes of calls currently. However, if you call and don’t get through please accept our apologies, and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Alternatively message us to schedule a chat.