The start of a new year has always been one of the best times to look for a new job. However, this year, it’s probably even more relevant as job vacancies hit an all-time high.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were over 1.1m vacancies in the UK, up to Christmas – the highest level since 2001. And, with vacancies existing across most sectors, our latest estimate is that there are now as many jobs on offer as there were before the Covid pandemic hit.
This is despite the prediction that there would be major unemployment due to Covid-19. This didn’t happen as forecast, mainly due to several other factors that came into play around the same time:
According to insurance firm, Aviva, Covid has been a major decider for many to voluntarily remove themselves from the workforce. In the USA this has been dubbed the ‘Great Resignation’ with over 5m withdrawing their labour with a similar trend now occurring in the UK.
Aviva say that an increasing number of people are now taking early retirement at 60 rather than wait for the official retirement age of 66. This desire to re-assess priorities is nothing new, of course, but there is no doubt the pandemic has spurred on those who had previously been considering this option.
It means new opportunities are opening up as soaring demands and skill shortages start to have an impact on UK employment. There is no doubt, we are seeing increased competition as employers vie to attract talent; this implies that it’s undoubtedly a job seeker led market at the moment.
The introduction of flexible and hybrid working coupled with acute skill shortages, especially in certain sectors, and the ‘great resignation’ means a job boom that currently shows no signs of slowing down.
We believe this is a great time to consider a re-evaluation of your current employment. Covid has changed our attitude to work - for some, early retirement may be an option that could include an opportunity of returning to work on a part time basis. We have a specialist team of recruiters that can help you search out potential part time and / or flexible vacancies.
For many people, the Christmas break was a time for reflection. The possibility of downsizing to a smaller house, the chance to consider landscaping the garden, re-decorating the house, planning a summer holiday and for some, considering their future employment status and career.
The good news is that we have a pool of Employers who are looking for staff, especially those possessing sought after skills (get in touch and we can explain more). For those looking for a move, we recommend researching the current jobs market (again, we can help) to understand what sectors are thriving and what skills are needed to respond to current vacancies.
The starting point is to identify your current skill set. And we are not just talking about accredited or on the job skills. Transferable soft skills such as good communication, leadership, problem solving etc. should be included to give you a complete skills package.
If you’re serious about a career move or employment sidestep, we suggest taking time out this month, to update your CV. Consider what skills and experiences will ensure employment in the future and how you can add value to their business.
These could be applicable to the job description, such as Construction or Building Services, or across the board ‘people skills’. It’s also worth spending time updating your LinkedIn profile. Add new skills, including those you’ve been developing through lockdown, and ensure you are re-connecting with former colleagues, friends and contacts made during the last 18 months. In fact, everyone whom you feel can help you step up to a new career.
Businesses in this area are hiring. The number of vacancies continues to rise across most sectors and there is no doubt, the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in England, has helped open the current jobs market. The period prior to Christmas saw the highest number of job vacancies since before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
As you will see from our job board, we have plenty of vacancies across all industries and throughout the region. However, with a surfeit of redundancies over the past year, there is a lot of competition out there.
Our advice is to prepare well for your next position. Have an open mind when looking for new job opportunities. Do your research to identify growth sectors and match these with your current (and future) skill set.
And most importantly, register with a recruitment partner, such as ourselves, in order to hear first of suitable vacancies as well as receive help and support in your quest to make 2022 the year of opportunity.
For more information on looking for a new job in 2022, contact the team at Multitask Personnel on 01709 820102 or enquiries@multitaskpersonnel.co.uk and we will help match you with employers best suited to your skills.