September 2009

"Monitoring the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market”

Highlights

• During September 09, the volume of new professional job opportunities within Ireland increased 31% compared with August 09 to 4,764. This was the highest number recorded in any one month so far this year.
• However, this was still 58% fewer new roles than a year ago (September 08)
• The number of professionals who began their search for a new role during September 09 rose 55% versus the previous month (August 09).
• This was a drop of 28% compared to the same month the previous year (September 08).

September 09 records highest number of new professional job vacancies in Ireland this year

The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor, which measures the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market, registered a 31% increase in the number of new professional roles coming onto the market during September 09 versus the previous month (August 09). This was the highest number of new professional job vacancies recorded in any one month so far this year. Anecdotal evidence suggests employer confidence grew over the period, albeit at low levels. However, the year-on-year comparison highlighted just how contracted the jobs market has become over the past 12 months as the number of new roles in September 09 recorded a drop of 58% versus September 08.

During September 09, candidate flow showed a typical pattern for this time of the year, with the number of new professionals entering the jobs market increasing from the previous month. There were 11,105 professionals who began their search for a new role in September 09; 55% more than in August 09. While seasonal factors and a slight improvement in market confidence contributed to the month-on-month rise, the extent of the increase is a reflection of the particularly suppressed volume of candidates that came onto the market in August 09 – the lowest recorded in any one month so far this year. The annual comparison still registered 28% fewer new jobseekers than in September 08.

Brian Murphy, Managing Director of Premier Group in Ireland comments: “The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor registered a welcome uplift in new job volumes within Ireland’s professional jobs market during September 09; the highest volume of new jobs recorded in any one month this year. This rise is predominantly down to an improvement in employer sentiment, although confidence levels remain weak. The increase in demand for professionals in September arose particularly in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and ICT sectors. Within financial services, the general insurance and pensions sectors were also busier.

“With the peak summer holiday season ending at the beginning of September, a seasonal rise in the number of professionals who started looking for a new role was anticipated. However, the actual increase was exaggerated by the previous month (August 09) which recorded the lowest number of new professional jobseekers in any one month this year. The number of candidates still far outweighs the number of roles coming onto the market each month and so competition between professionals for available jobs remains high. While there are early signs that confidence is returning to the hiring market, it is still too early to tell whether this improvement will be sustained over the coming months, particularly with the Christmas holiday season on the horizon.”

Chart: New jobs v. new candidates
 

 
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
Further press information:

Allira Carroll
PR Manager
Premier Group
Tel: +353 212426094
Email: acarroll@premiergroup.ie

About the Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor

The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor measures the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market by tracking the number of new job vacancies and new candidates within the Republic of Ireland each month. The first Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor was launched in May 2009 with data from April 2008 onwards.

Statistical methodology

Monthly new jobs and new candidates
Monthly new jobs and new candidate figures are based on Premier Group’s own monthly records of new permanent job vacancies and new candidates registering with the firm for permanent employment. Statistics for the full market are derived using Premier Group’s own market share.

Job classification
Job vacancies are professional level roles within the following sectors and functions; Banking & Financial Services, Commerce & Industry finance, Insurance, Public Practice & Tax, Legal, HR, IT, Life Sciences, Engineering, Process & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Sales & Marketing, Customer Service, Secretarial & Office Support.

Geography
The data is based on new job vacancies and new candidates registered with Premier Group’s network of Irish offices in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.

About Premier Group

Premier Group is Ireland's leading recruitment consultancy with offices in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Internationally, the Group operates from 24 offices across eight countries. Subsidiary brands within Premier Group in Ireland include Accreate Executive Search & Interim, Brunel, la crème, Premier, and Verkom. Morgan McKinley and iQ selection also form part of the Premier Group outside of Ireland.

http://www.premiergroup.ie/

Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor

Premier Group currently publishes a similar monitor in London under its subsidiary brand name, Morgan McKinley. The highly regarded Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor was launched in 2004 and reports on the new roles, candidates and salaries within the financial services jobs market in London each month. Visit http://www.morganmckinley.co.uk/ for details.