Part-time or temporary project work is on the up, as is the demand for specific skills. So how can jobseekers respond to this and stay on top of the recruitment game?
Key employment trends reported by xperthr show a "no or not enough work economy" characterised by an increase in part-time and temporary work and in underemployment.
The recruitment industry is responding to employers' specific briefs by using new technologies, such as Audience Match, and social media to find applicants. Niche recruiters are also being engaged to find "rare" talent, reports the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. These techniques are helping to guard against the shortage of skilled candidates, which has also been noted in a job market where temporary placements are up and permanent placements are down.
But what do these trends mean for job seekers?
Before you apply
For many recent and new graduates, relying on skills will be crucial for navigating a jobs market where fixed-term projects and collaborative team-working are becoming more prevalent. The key is to understand your skills, says Mervyn Dinnen, content and community manager at Jobsite UK. Know what you're good at and enjoy doing, then think creatively about how you can apply your skills to a range of roles. Seize opportunities to develop a portfolio of experience, and build contacts.
Make sure you fulfill the criteria where recruitment briefs specify particular areas of expertise or experience. You'll also need to keep your skills updated so you can hit the ground running.
Zena Everett, director of career coaching company Second Careers and founder of the recruitment business Perriam and Everett, says you need to be clear on what you offer. "No recruiter wants to hear something like, 'I'm a marketing director – I can do anything.' They want: 'I am a marketing director, specialising in product development within the bio-pharmaceutical sector,' for example."
How to work with recruiters
Your application materials must be up-to-date – and perfect. Roseanne Stockton, director of Nu Recruit, says recruiters don't have time to take up spelling mistakes with candidates: they'll just move on.
Consider a recruiter as a key partner in your job hunt: a recruiter needs to find the best person for their client. But if you're right for the job, your relationship should be one of equals, says Julia Briggs at the HR and recruitment community Interimity. Recruiters can give you great insider information on company culture or your interviewer, so take their advice.
Be visible and contactable to recruiters. Some are active on Twitter and Facebook, and many use Google to find out more about candidates. Being easy to reach can make all the difference. "Good candidates are red hot on their mobiles," advises Roseanne Stockton.
Optimise your CV for job boards
Include relevant keywords and quantifiable achievements as hooks. Rowena Simpson, manager of Renewables Careers, a niche online job board for the renewables sector, says recruiters will use search techniques based on keywords to find candidates. "Research your sector and use the keywords that describe very specific skills and expertise," she says.
A two-page CV is generally sufficient. Avoid empty statements such as "innovative team-player", but include information on previous companies (sector, number of employees, turnover, scope of your role, etc) and give context to your achievements. "Numbers back up words," says Mervyn Dinnen.
Don't blast your CV out indiscriminately. Three job boards at a time is probably the maximum, says Zena Everett, while Mervyn Dinnen says exclusivity is important if you're dealing with a sector specialist.
Attract the attention of industry insiders
Be good at what you do to attract recruiters' attention, says Zena Everett: "Establish a really strong reputation as a highly talented individual: headhunters will find you if you are." Mervyn Dinnen says that specialist recruiters are often part of the community in which they recruit, and one of the go-to people for information on opportunities and market moves.
Evenbase's Quarterly Recruitment Review shows that while job boards are the top resource, corporate clients and certain industries favour recruitment agencies, while smaller companies rely on their networks. Ensure you explore all the opportunities to find vacancies.
Dealing with multiple part-time roles or projects on your CV
Straightforward, linear career paths may become rarer if the current employment trends continue. Instead, jobs worked concurrently or multiple part-time and project work will become more commonplace.
Be prepared to develop more than one CV for different sectors or roles. If necessary, break down your work history into sub-sections with different headings or themes, such as type of project, role or sector, rather than sticking to a strict, chronological order. A covering letter also helps draw out career themes and supporting details for a hiring manager or recruiter.
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Clare Whitmell
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