What Is The Recruitment Industry Like Today, Compared To Twenty Years Ago?

What Is The Recruitment Industry Like Today, Compared To Twenty Years Ago?

Vicki Reeks, industrial manager, began her career in recruitment back in 1997 and recognises the focus on longevity back in the 90s. Vicki says, “For someone entering the job market 20 or so years ago, there was the expectation that the role, company and industry they were stepping into was going to serve them for many years. From a successful interview, you got a foot in the door of a business, develop your skills, progress and move up through the company via a structure of promotion and pay rises. That isn’t quite the case today.”

Also with 20 plus years of experience as a recruiter, Hannah Sills, head of permanent and specialist recruitment, realises family traditions that became a path for a career. Hannah says, “For many people, particularly males, they followed in the footsteps of their family. From tradespeople to engineers, there was almost a stamp that your parents influenced your career choice. Where we are today, there isn’t that force for your children to take up a particular job. There now presents a shift and a broad path that people take.”

By presenting choice and decisions, Rob Bruce, senior recruitment consultant, recognises how as the years have progressed, during his career (that started in 2005), roles are so much more varied. “If you jumped into a time machine that took you back to the 1990s, it would feel very strange, with people doing jobs that aren’t here anymore. The development of the digital marketplace it has introduced new ways of working and opportunities. Where we are today, for anyone entering the job market, remote working is revolutionising how people behave and how they work. This would have been unheard of when I started my career within the industry.”

LinkedIn has recently produced their Jobs On The Rise report that highlights those people with strong digital skills will have a considerable advantage in the jobs market.

Lucy Eaton, senior recruitment consultant, has been in the recruitment industry for seven years and what stands out for her, is how attitudes are different today than from those people who would have entered the market 20 years ago, Lucy says, “For instance, out of many of my friends, who are in their 20s, very few have what they considered as a career. People want to work on their own terms. In today’s current marketplace, candidates are calling the shots and looking for a life and work that represents what they want.”

According to the professional social network, Polywork, 85 percent of young professionals have completely changed their attitude towards work due to the pandemic.

Whilst technology has changed efficiencies over the years, one thing has remained constant over the decades, the ability to understand what both candidates and clients are looking for and be able to deliver in an approachable way. The traits that keep us connected to each other as people are something that will always be here, no matter the era.