If this decade has taught us anything so far, it’s that we don’t have a crystal ball to see into the future. From global pandemics to economic uncertainty, there have been a number of genuinely unexpected events that have shaped the way that we live and work. While we can’t profess to know what the rest of 2023 will bring, Spotlight Recruitment is on hand to help you to navigate our changing recruitment environment.
Certain markets remain strong and show continued growth in a difficult financial environment, including finance and some areas of fast-growth tech. On the flip side, we predict difficult times ahead in other sectors; travel, hospitality and retail face a continued rocky road.
2022 exposed a number of skills shortages in the talent pool. Employers are crying out for certain skillsets, including:
- Digital marketing
- Media buying
- Project management
- Coding
- Account management
To combat this, many employers are investing in upskilling – training existing employees in high-demand skills. Upskilling focuses on improving current employees’ skill sets, usually through training, so they can advance in their jobs and find different roles and opportunities within the company.
Remote working was one of the big recruitment trends for 2022 and shows no signs of going away, with 30% of UK employees working remotely at least once a week in 2022. In fact, the term “remote jobs” is now searched for over 18,000 times per month in the UK on Google – a 410% increase over the last 5 years. Employees seek remote positions to save time and money on commuting, achieve a better work/life balance and because they feel more productive in their home environment. There are big benefits for employers too, who can save money on renting office space, cleaning and catering.
Candidates are also seeking control over when they work as well as where. Flexible working will continue to be a priority in 2023, resulting in higher job satisfaction, commitment and more effort, ultimately meaning improved productivity.
The acceptance and ease of remote working globally have had a knock-on effect on employees, as they now have more options than ever. Where you live no longer defines where you work, so employers are having to work harder to retain talent. This is good news for employees, who are enjoying flexible working, better benefits, higher salaries and bonuses.
After the mass exodus from offices thanks to the global pandemic, employers are also taking a long hard look at the concept of company culture. In 2023, we anticipate an increased focus on creating a supportive and nurturing environment where employees can flourish. Happiness is definitely high on the list of priorities for potential recruits, including finding a company whose ethics and ethos are compatible with theirs.