The Deep Dive #14 - Summer Recruitment Trends

By Luís Caj?o

Hello and welcome to the 14th edition of The Deep Dive, our monthly newsletter that focuses on the hottest topics in recruitment.

We take a deep dive into topics that matter to you, that affect you, and that can make you a better recruiter.

Summer is a unique time in the recruitment calendar. Understanding summer recruitment trends can significantly enhance recruitment strategies as businesses adjust to seasonal demands and candidates explore new opportunities. That's why this month, we are looking at recruitment summer trends.

We've extracted data from WaveTrackR for the last 3 years, filtered and analysed to paint a picture of the key recruitment trends observed from June to September, providing insights and actionable recommendations for recruiters to optimise their efforts during this critical period.

Overall Summer Trends

Summer months from June to September present distinct patterns in recruitment activities. Our analysis reveals that while some sectors see a surge in job applications and postings, others see a decline.

Seasonal demands, economic factors, and candidate availability influence this variation. June typically sees an initial increase in both job applications and postings as businesses ramp up for summer activities.

However, July and August exhibit a mixed pattern, with some sectors maintaining momentum while others experience a dip. By September, there is a noticeable decline as summer ends, and businesses prepare for the year's final quarter.

Trends by Job Type and Job Shift

When we look at job types, contract positions see a noticeable increase in June (44.22%) and July (-7.47%). Businesses often seek temporary replacements and project-based roles during these months. However, August and September show significant declines in contract jobs by 39.76% and 34.52%, respectively.

Permanent jobs maintain a consistent demand with minor fluctuations, with a slight increase of 17.09% in June but followed by declines in July (-6.16%), August (-25.27%), and September (-26.23%), suggesting stable hiring needs across the summer.

Placement jobs display high volatility, peaking with a 26.15% increase in June but experiencing sharp declines of 87.69% in August and 63.08% in September. This indicates that the demand for placement roles could be more steady and can fluctuate significantly.

Seasonal jobs follow an expected trend with a decline of 15.38% in June and a steady decrease throughout the summer, with declines of 71.79% in July, August, and September, as these roles are typically filled early in the season.

Temporary jobs see a moderate increase during the initial summer months, with a 24.13% rise in June, indicating a demand for short-term employment opportunities. However, this demand declines towards September, with decreases of 26.59% in August and 10.68% in September, as businesses stabilise their staffing needs.

In terms of job shifts, full-time positions show an initial increase of 21% in June, followed by a gradual decline in the following months, indicating a steady but tapering demand for these roles. Part-time positions see significant increases in June (41%) and July, reflecting higher demand for flexible work arrangements during summer. Jobs on a daily basis exhibit volatile trends with noticeable increases of 65% in June and mixed patterns in the subsequent months.

Trends by Industry

Get a breakdown of the top 10 industries for jobs posted by month.

This includes:

?? Accountancy??? Banking??? Catering & Hospitality???? Construction??? Customer Services ?? Education??? Health & Nursing??? IT & Internet???? Retail & Wholesale and ?? Transport & Logistics

Top 10 Industry Summer Trends ??

What can recruiters do over the summer?

Planning ahead is essential to make the most of summer recruitment trends, but here is an overview of?our key suggestions:

• Starting recruitment activities early in the summer can help capitalise on the initial surge in job applications and postings. ?
• Emphasising contract and temporary roles during peak months can address short-term needs without long-term commitments. ?
• Tailoring recruitment strategies to align with industry-specific trends is crucial. For example, emphasising and focusing on Catering and Hospitality roles early in the summer can yield better results. ?
• Offering flexible job options, particularly part-time positions, can attract a broader candidate pool, given the high demand for flexible work during the summer. ?
• Continuous candidate engagement throughout the summer ensures a steady pipeline, especially as demand fluctuates. ?
• Utilising recruitment data to adjust strategies dynamically is key to responding to market changes.

Summer brings its own set of challenges and opportunities in recruitment. By staying ahead of the trends and adjusting strategies accordingly, recruiters can navigate the season effectively and become stronger as they head into the year's final quarter.

Want to explore related?topics? We recommend:

?? Wave’s Candidate Attraction Playbook

???Q2 2024 Recruitment Trends Report

??Talent Matters:?The evolution of flexible working and the importance of work-life integration

All the best,

Luis