Robert Half: New study reveals recruiter difficulties in the market

In its latest study conducted in January 2019, Robert Half, an international specialized recruitment firm, interviewed nearly 700 DGs, DAF and DSI on the next major trends in the labor market, the impact of the new technologies and the future needs of companies in terms of recruitment. The firm thus draws up an inventory of the labor market and its repercussions on the recruitment in company.

"Recruiters have a harder time attracting skilled talent, either because of skill shortages, or because of the growing number of 'hybrid' dual or triple proficiency profiles that are increasingly being demanded. The challenge will be at the same time on the part internal training for the companies, retention, and management of the careers. As for the external recruitment, it will be necessary to increase the expertise on the evaluation of the potential, notably via well-being," said Albane Prieto, Director at Robert Half France.

A changing labor market

• 65% of respondents believe that it is now more difficult to find qualified professionals compared to 5 years ago, and that it will be even harder to find quality candidates over the next 5 years (66%). The trend remains stable compared to 2018.
• This will be especially true for planning and financial analysis positions (31%), management accounting (30%) legal and HR support (29%); as well as for positions requiring technical expertise in the field of computer security (53%), cloud technologies (37%) and database management (29%).
• In addition, the expectations of the candidates, in particular Generation Y and millennials, have changed. The latter are more attentive to the conditions and the working environment (salary, professional training, career development, mobility, flexibility, personal and professional life balance...). Half of the respondents (50%) testify this because this increased demand for flexibility on the part of the labor market is already impacting their recruitment strategies.

This is why many French companies are now adopting several initiatives that promote attraction and retention of talent: flexibility of schedules, teleworking charter, concierge service, nursery, sports club, additional holidays.

Considerable impact on recruitment

If recruiters find it more difficult to find profiles that reflect company values ​​and have the expertise to fill the position (26%), they will also encounter other challenges related to the hiring process, such as: its duration (17%), the proposed remuneration (17%) and the counter-proposals (12%).

Although hiring intentions are promising, companies face the gap between the skills of candidates and the skills required. Two-thirds of the panel surveyed (63%) think that over the next 12 months, it will be more difficult for the company to hire skilled professionals because of the new technologies deployed within the various departments.

"Job descriptions are not as accurate as in the past, in a changing business environment. The "plug & play" model is less and less true: the candidate will have to create the contours of their position, and evolve with it," Prieto commented.

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