Jobsite debunks recession urban myths

While redundancy announcements dominate the headlines, Jobsite have published a report that reveals some of the myths that candidates believe — and the reality.

According to Jobsite’s research report, ‘Recessional recruiting’ one in three workers believe in the myth that potential employers look badly on candidates who have been made redundant. Effectively, 9.9 million workers1 believe there is a stigma attached to being made redundant. In contrast with this myth is the reality that more than a third of HR Managers are actively targeting redundant candidates.

Based on research among 4,000 workers and 500 HR managers, the report finds that many candidates are also reluctant to move jobs, as one in eight (12 per cent) believe in the myth that employers take a “last-in, first-out” approach to redundancy.

However, the approach of HR managers to hiring is the opposite to candidate perceptions, with one in three (35 per cent) looking to hire specific talent now to help see their companies get through the downturn and enjoy rapid recovery as the economy improves. More than half (53 per cent) are also still engaging in general recruitment, including replacing exiting members of staff, with 80 per cent looking to fill permanent, full time roles.

In spite of this, more than a third of candidates (34 per cent) are not confident in the jobs market, and many speculate that there are no jobs available.

Keith Potts, CEO of Jobsite.co.uk, said: “Job losses are dominating the headlines, but not all companies are shedding staff or freezing recruitment. It’s easy to see how job hunting myths can come to fruition when candidates are under increased stress. However, our research shows that in this difficult times, many businesses need talented, committed employees more than ever. We would recommend candidates who are unhappy in their current roles look before they leap – researching their perspective employers thoroughly. At the same time we would also encourage people to have the confidence to follow their career aspirations. Even in a downturn, there are excellent opportunities out there.”

Despite the recession, 12.8 million people2 (44 per cent) are still looking for a new job, with one in eight candidates (12 per cent) actively searching for a new role and one in four (24 per cent) open to offers. Another one in 12 (eight per cent) are planning to move in the next year.

It’s not just out of work candidates who are looking for new roles either – only one in six people (16 per cent) are doing so because they have been made redundant, or have concerns over their job in the near future. Many candidates are still following their careers ambitions, with one in nine (13 per cent) ready for a new challenge, one in eight (14 per cent) feeling it’s time to change roles and one in seven (15 per cent) seeking a pay increase.

Jobsite’s report on hiring in an economic downturn, ‘Recessional recruiting’, discusses this and many other relevant issues and is available to download for free at www.jobsite.co.uk/recessionreport

1 There are 29.11 million Britons in employment (ONS). Of these, 34 per cent think there is a stigma attached to being made redundant (72 Point). Therefore: 29,110,000 x 0.34 = 9,897,400 or 9.9 million workers.

2 There are 29.11 million Britons in employment (ONS). Of these, 44 per cent are looking for a new job (72 Point). Therefore: 29,110,000 x 0.44 = 12,808,400 or 12.8 million workers

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