2008 a good year for contracting and temporary work
04 February 2008
UK employers favour Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans
Market Still Healthy
First of all it’s important to put things in perspective say UK recruiters. There has been a ‘slow down’ in the number of job vacancies being advertised but according to a recent industry survey the market still looks positive.
Helen Reynolds is acting Chief Executive Officer for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, one of the organisations that commissioned the survey.
"Despite demand for staff slowing, and much speculation that the credit crunch is already having an adverse effect on the job's market, the recruitment industry remains reasonably upbeat about job prospects in 2008."
UK recruitment experts forecast that contractor and temporary workers will benefit from any jitters in the UK market. Tara Ricks is Managing Director of one of the UK’s leading recruitment agencies and also speaks for the Forum of Professional Recruiters.
"At times of uncertainty like these, employers tend to slow down the recruitment of permanent staff and take on temporary workers in their place. We are seeing a strong temporary and contract market and expect it to continue to grow."
‘Working Holiday Makers’ or professionals in the UK on a ‘Highly Skilled Visa’ should view this as positive news, say recruiters. It will open up varied roles across all sectors and salary rates for shorter term positions are excellent. Furthermore, if you are looking for a more permanent post, taking a contract position gets your foot through the door and gives you a chance to show off your skills.
Assess your skills
Employability is the key word in 2008. The UK market is highly competitive and employers value skills and previous experience. Recruitment experts like Tara Ricks say Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans have an advantage.
Antipodeans are viewed very highly because of their professional and academic qualifications. Unfortunately there is a severe skills shortage in the UK which our home-grown workforce cannot fulfil. Antipodeans provide these skills and slip very easily into the UK work force.
Helen Reynolds agrees that skills and experience will be your passport into a great UK job
Skills shortages remain a challenge. With welfare reform firmly on the government's agenda, the key focus for 2008 must be employability. It's about matching the right skills to the right jobs
The UK offers great opportunities to enhance your career and the experience you get here will benefit you for the rest of your life. Good luck with your plans and don’t forget FastrackUK is here to help!
Click here for advice on how to write the perfect UK CV
Click here for information on interview tips
Click here on information on UK market conditions across industry sectors
(Article by FastrackUK, January 2008. Interviews;Joslin Rowe and REC. Graph; Report on Jobs, NTC Economics)
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