Jobseekers 'Willing To Work For Less'

Fierce competition among jobseekers in the professional services sector has forced many to rethink their salary expectations, according the results of a major, island-wide survey.

The poll of more than 400 employers in the IT, sales, pharmaceuticals, accountancy, and legal arenas, was carried out by leading online recruitment agency Webrecruit Ireland.

Around 43% of employers said that, in their experience, salary expectations among potential candidates had fallen.

A further 39% of employers polled said salary expectations among candidates at interview stage had changed little from a year ago, with most willing to work for the same wage as their current job.

Only around one in 10 employers (9.8%) said interviewees had requested a higher salary at interview stage, while the rest said that those interviewed had refused to discuss salary until an offer was put to them.

The Webrecruit Ireland poll also showed that the majority of employers surveyed expected to either retain the current number of staff (37.7%) or hire more (42.6%) in the next 12 months.

Some 12.3% said they expected to have fewer staff. The remaining 7.4% were unsure what the year ahead would bring.

Webrecruit Ireland Managing Director Richard Elliott said that while the survey results clearly reflected the current turmoil in the employment market, the outlook was improving: "Most companies intend to either keep staff levels the same or increase their numbers, though many still doubt that they will find the right candidate for the job quickly," said Richard.

"That said, potential candidates seem to be a little more flexible on their salary expectations given the current economic climate and this can only be good news for employers who are keen to cut costs in a bid to keep their businesses afloat."

Set up in 2010 by former BBC Dragons' Den 'dragon' and entrepreneur James Caan, in partnership with Irish advertising and communications firm ASG, Webrecruit Ireland is Ireland's leading, innovation recruitment solution provider.

(GK/BMcC)