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Recruitment

Hottest sectors for jobs right now

Tue, 05 May 2009 09:40

The current global economic climate has put pressure on recruitment at all levels, but there are still certain industry sectors showing resilience and growth.

These are mainly in the professional and specialist skills space, say headhunters, who still rate financial services – especially in the fields of private equity, risk and compliance – as a skills-short market.

Madge Gibson, a partner at Jack Hammer Executive Headhunters, says other sectors, which are still actively seeking skilled staff, include construction and engineering in select specialised sectors.

“The increased infrastructure development in SA in the wake of the 2010 Soccer World Cup has definitely propped up the construction sector, which seems to remain a recruiter. That being said, this is restricted to specialised skills, as opposed to across the board.

“Some of the most interesting current opportunities are in the new emerging markets in Africa. Some companies operating in countries like Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Mauritius are not suffering from the global meltdown in the same way as the more developed world markets are, and they are still in a growth phase, having come off a low base.

“This has created a need for skilled people with knowledge of these specific African markets to take on a variety of roles – in particular with private equity and venture capital companies who are looking to invest on the continent.

“In addition, we have found when economic times are tougher, organisations generally hunt for ‘ exceptional skills and high level experience’ and they are more likely to invest in recruiting ‘rainmakers’ to help them through the lean times.

“It’s not only educational veracity that matters, but a candidate’s ability to ‘deliver’, and to ‘make things happen’ in this difficult climate.

“Good leaders know how to deliver and they aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get involved in groundwork wherever necessary – now is not a time for ‘airs and graces’.

“Candidates who have a good global network, strong leadership qualities and a track record of successful delivery, continue to be appealing to employers." Gibson concluded.

Professionals with a winning mix of these personal qualities, technical expertise and specialist skills will fight through the tough times and come out shining.