Almost every day the media broadcasts stories about company closures and redundancies. As a result, the perception that there are a lack of job opportunities out there and it would be wise to delay any job move until the economy picks-up again is understandable. However, market research caried out in the industry interestingly shows that 39% of marketers are confident that business for their organisation will improve over the next 12 months. As a specialist marketing, creative & PR recruitment consultancy, we support this statement and are remaining confident and positive about the future. Whilst it would be naive to pronounce that the market is booming, it is important to remain optimistic as there is still much activity across many sectors & industries. In these times of uncertainty, employers & employees are simply being more cautious in their search for a new role or before recruiting for a new team member to avoid unnecessary or extreme risk. We can certainly confirm some industries are affected more than others. A number of our clients are growing rapidly and what is stopping them from growing further is the difficulty they are having in finding the right team. In particular, many surveys reported in the media talk of campaign budgets increasing in digital marketing and PR which is definitely something we are experiencing. Strong digital & PR candidates with knowledge in certain industries are hard to find, so they can be more selective over what they are looking for in terms of opportunity, company, package & perks. Conversely, there is an abundance of certain candidates which means they are struggling to find the right role. This is where consultative & effective recruitment consultants play a key part in the process in providing advice to both candidates and employers, and how best to maximise your opportunities in the current, competitive marketplace.

 Top tips for the employer:

1. Ensure you & your business are a candidate's employer of choice

2. Provide a clear role description

3. Demonstrate a motivating & enthusiastic environment

4. Communicate clear business plans, aspirations and objectives to provide reassurance

5. Be confident about what makes you different from your competitors

6. Sell your team & company at interview – remember it is a two-way process

7. Have a clear understanding of your business needs in recruiting

8. Allow plenty of time to find the right candidate, don't leave it until the last minute as it is a competitive market with fewer candidates to choose from

9. Once you have suitable candidates to interview, don't prolong the process - the quicker you make a decision, the more chance you have of that right candidate accepting your offer

10. Keep your brief as flexible as possible to ensure you do not miss out on great potential employees

 Top tips for the candidate:

1. Keep your eyes peeled - don't assume there are no suitable job opportunities for you - but conversely don't apply for every job you see advertised - be open but selective to ensure you are considering the right opportunity for you long term

2. Remember, certain sectors are less affected by the current economic climate and some companies are forecasting growth requiring a larger team.

3. If you are concerned that your current employer will find out you are searching for a new role, speak to fishtank about what exactly you'd be interested in hearing about. We can work as your eyes and ears in the market without anyone receiving your details until you have confirmed your interest!

4. Prepare fully for interviews to give yourself the best shot at getting that job.

5. Ensure you've done your homework before moving jobs - don't be afraid to ask questions about the role, company, projects and their business plan etc.

 If we can be of any assistance in supporting your recruitment requirements or job search, please do not hesitate to contact us.