Did you know that January is THE prime time for doing a recruitment drive? In our industry, we like to call this time of year “the golden recruitment window” because there tends to be a surge of job hunters entering the market. Put it down to contracts ending, new year’s resolutions or those January blues; suffice to say, we’ll be pretty busy in just two months’ time! Which is why we decided that now would be a good opportunity to look ahead and see what kind of year 2020 is shaping up to be for the Irish workplace.
By keeping an eye on workplace trends, we help tomorrow’s candidates find the companies that satisfy their expectations while also securing the precise kind of talent companies need to meet the challenges of the coming year. Without further ado, let’s take a trip to 2020 and see what’s in store for the Irish workplace!
Generation Z is entering the workforce
Who is Generation Z? And why does it matter that they’re entering the workplace? Well, they were born roughly between 1997 and 2010, and next year they’ll make up 20% of the workforce! We see them as a fantastic asset for any modern organisation because they are digital natives. They do not know a world without smartphones and while that might make Millennial and Gen X hair stand on end, the result is a generation of young people who are well-equipped to help Irish companies become increasingly future-ready.
Talented Gen Zers will likely prove tricky to acquire for startups and SMEs. This is a generation that grew up in the middle of a recession. They witnessed close family members lose their jobs and, as a result, acutely recognise the importance of financial security. With this pragmatic approach to work, the bigger pay packages of large corporations will be especially enticing for Gen Z. However, with their strong work ethic and willingness to wear multiple hats in their role, they definitely are candidates worth targeting in your recruitment drive.
Combatting the skills shortage
Despite the good news of Gen Z bringing their techy skills into the Irish workplace, the current employment market is saturated and as a result many companies are facing a skills shortage that will continue into 2020. This year alone, 84% of Irish businesses are struggling with a skills shortage and the result is a productivity slump. According to CIPD Ireland, the areas most affected by the skills shortage are customer services, ICT, information services and financial services.
What can you do to combat this skills shortage? To ensure sure you are in the best possible position for 2020, start your recruitment drive early so you can make the most of the January surge! Investing in your employer brand can also attract the right kind of talent to your company and encourage people to stay with you for the long term. The good news is that the Irish government is focused on tackling the problem with the National Skills Strategy 2025.
It’s an employee’s market
Right now, Ireland is close to full employment with just 5.3% of the population unemployed. Attracting top talent is always a challenge for companies, but in 2020 you’ll need to bring your A-game. In circumstances such as this, job boards and job pages fall down because your target candidates are not actively looking for a new job. At Connexus Recruit, we tackle this problem head-on by directly approaching those talented candidates who are in full-time employment.
You can also attract employed candidates with a strong employer brand. People don’t want to work for faceless organisations anymore and the hardship that came with the recession made many people take stock of what is truly important. A positive work culture that supports your staff’s happiness and wellbeing is not only going to attract candidates away from more stressful, thankless work cultures, but it will make them stay with you as well.
The high cost of rent in Dublin
It is no secret that the high cost of rent in Dublin is driving people out of the city as well as out of the country. According to Catella, a Swedish fund manager, Dublin now has the third-highest residential rates in Europe. The lack of available housing is pushing the city to over-capacity and this doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. Current salaries cannot compete with the housing crises and the result is that highly skilled individuals are being pushed out as they look for a more economically sound standard of living.
In 2020, this problem will persist, but what can an employer do? Dublin is a fantastic city that, despite the extortionate rents, many people want to live in. Therefore, providing a relocation package can give your ideal candidate the support they need to be able to join your company. Relocation packages typically include helping your preferred candidate with travel arrangements, securing accommodation for them and providing the first month’s rent. If this is something your company is able to do, it is worth considering in 2020.
Need help in securing the best talent for your company in 2020? Get in Contact with us today and we can start to connect the dots between you and your ideal candidate!
