Positive outlook for finance contract workers in the UK.
19 December 2007
The UK recruitment industry has been holding its breath over the last few months waiting to see what the implications of the credit crunch hitting the US and UK, would be on the contractor jobs market. In particular, anxieties in the British banking industry, led to a slow down in recruitment during the summer.
However recruiters now believe the worst may be over. Rachel Gunston, International Candidate Consultant of ‘Badenoch and Clark’, says confidence is returning.
“We can see the market picking up. As the banks are releasing their figures they are realising that the situation isn’t as bad as they originally thought.”
Marie Blackwell, International Candidate Consultant at London recruitment firm ‘Witan Jardine’ agrees,
“recruitment demands remain high and the forecasts are steady with an expected upturn in temp requirements.”
This is all positive news for the thousands of Australian and New Zealand job seekers expected to arrive in the UK during 2008. However recruiters for the financial sector stress candidates should be prepared to be flexible when it comes to first job offers. Nikki Bowring, Head of the Contracts Division at financial recruiters, 'Walker Hamill' says;
"Clients are being more specific with regards to industry background and systems knowledge. Candidates with all levels of experience are in demand but those that stand the strongest chance of finding a role quickly will have a strong CV and a flexible attitude. Ideally the individual will be open to ideas."
Antipodean candidates are being told to get as much experience as they can in financial services before they leave and to arrive in the UK with advance excel experience. If they don’t have this already then the advice is, take a course or start training yourself!
(article by FastrackUK, Dec. 2007. Interviews conducted between Nov – Dec 2007)
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