Although the Eurozone financial crisis impacted the Dutch recruitment market, we saw marginal improvement in market conditions in 2011 compared to 2010. Overall hiring levels were higher in the second half of the year and we experienced a positive progression throughout 2011.
We saw an increase in interim vacancies as organisations looked at short-term solutions to fill skills gaps. When recruiting for permanent roles, employers sought to secure the very best talent on the market and demand was highest for specialists at mid to senior levels.
We saw notable demand for candidates with experience ofworking for one of the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms. Finance specialists with Basel II and III reporting knowledge were also particularly sought-after, as were transfer pricing specialists and tax accountants. Within HR, learning and development professionals and compensation and benefits specialists were in high demand as firms sought to attract and retain the best staff. Salary levels remained stable throughout 2011, a trend we expect to continue in 2012.
Although we saw a slight increase in the volume of jobs available during the year, fewer vacancies offered genuine short-term progression opportunities. Candidates instead focused on longer-term career development, opting to make lateral job moves in order to broaden their experience for the future.
With the recruitment market closely linked to broader economic conditions, the market will remain cautious going into 2012, with longer-term developments difficult to predict.