Marketing recruiters see increase in hiring activity

Marketing recruiters have seen an increase in hiring activity in recent months as companies prepare for an expected uplift in business.

EMR, the marketing recruitment specialist, says it has seen a 22% uplift in the number of new positions in the three months to 30 September compared to the previous quarter as the economy shows signs of stabilising.

It has also seen a near-doubling of employed marketing professionals looking to discuss their career in recent months, which it says is an indication that marketers are “starting to gain confidence in the job market”.

Simon Bassett, managing director of EMR, says: “Very few businesses appear to have a headcount freeze at present. Indeed, EMR has noticed an increase in the amount of temporary recruitment in particular as more clients fulfil immediate talent needs with short-term hires.”

Recruitment company Robert Walters says there has been an increase in demand for senior marketers in recent months and has heard of many businesses planning to hire additional staff.

John Robinson, associate director of the marketing division at Robert Walters, says although recruitment levels do not match those of 18 months ago, there is cautious optimism and preparation for expected improvements in business.

“Businesses are conscience of the need to shore up resources for impending significant improvement”, he says, adding “the business is not necessarily there but the optimism is and they do not want to let the competition steal a march”.

Both companies have also seen an increase in both contract and temporary recruitment to fill immediate recruitment needs but still feel unable to commit to permanent hires.