Jobs market on rise

RECRUITMENT and talent management firm Hudson says hiring optimism is at its highest level in 18 months.

RECRUITMENT and talent management firm Hudson says hiring optimism is at its highest level in 18 months.

Hudson’s Employment Trends report has found the number of employers looking to increase headcount in the final quarter this year rose to 23.9 per cent, the highest level since the second quarter of 2013. It is a 2.7 per cent increase on the previous quarter and is the highest rise in nearly four years.

Each mainland state held positive hiring intentions, and intentions improved in seven out of 10 professions.

Hudson Australia executive general manager Dean Davidson says hiring intentions are about improved sentiment.

“Over recent weeks, we have seen improvements in a number of indicators of employment conditions and our research shows significantly more employers are looking to hire than to fire in the final three months of this year,” Davidson says.

He says there is an increasing need for front-end transactional lawyers in private practice, and for sales, marketing and communications professionals.

The report found 60 per cent of hirers believe there is a talent shortage, with nearly 90 per cent saying that sourcing the right talent is their biggest challenge.

Push by freelancers

A STUDY on the rise of freelance workers shows 30 per cent of the Australian workforce, or 3.7 million people, are sourcing their own jobs, across all professions.

Freelance jobs board ­
Elance-oDesk says freelancers contribute $51 billion in earnings to the economy, and more generation Y and baby boomers are likely to freelance compared with younger generations. The study found 59 per cent said access to technology made their job easier, 64 per cent said social media was drastically changing the workforce and half the freelancers looking for work online found jobs within three days.

Almost three-quarters said they would be willing to do additional work for increased pay, and 31 per cent considered quitting a permanent job to work independently.

Observers program

APPLICATIONS are open for the 2015 Observership Program, which places young professionals aged between 25 and 40 on non-profit boards to watch and learn from proceedings for 12 months. The program, launched in 2012, has seen 25 per cent of observers being given permanent positions on the boards they sat in on for their year.

More than 35 not-for-profits have signed up for next year’s program, including National Parks and Wildlife, Cure Cancer, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Garvin Institute of Medical Research. Spaces are still available.

Corporate supporters, including the Commonwealth Bank, McKinsey and Credit Suisse, will also play an integral role in funding the program, and participants receive training through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Philanthropy Australia, company directors and the Jewish Communal Appeal are strategic partners and are driving the program’s growth.

Applications for participating not-for-profits and observers close at the end of this month.

Details: observership.com.au

No room for egos

SMALL-BUSINESS specialist John Corias, a senior partner of MAS Accountants, says many companies can avoid failing in their first few years if they spot warning signs and act.

Corias advises small businesses to leave emotion and egos behind, and not get too attached to start-ups.

“The ego can shroud judgment and can cause even the most sensible people to make stupid business decisions,” Corias says. “When clients come in with a business or business idea that they are too personally attached to and are set in their ways, we have to give them the tough love speech. Take a step back, assess it as business and find the best ways to move forward.”

Corias says many businesses undercapitalise and should have a financial plan.

He says it is also important for businesses to do their industry homework, seek investors to fast-track growth, and be wary about partnerships with friends.

“Partnerships are tricky, especially those with friends, because it not only involves an extra element to the business but an emotional element as well,” he says. “Before delving into a partnership, it is best to evaluate whether the other party has a different approach to the growth of the business, a different vision or different values.”