2023’s state of play

Everything you need to know to navigate today’s recruitment landscape.

7 headlines to help you navigate today’s recruitment climate

1.

Hiring intention continues to rise…

In the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS) 39,000 employers were surveyed globally. 29 of 41 countries report higher intentions to hire than the previous quarter.

Employers around the world continue to anticipate hiring more workers in the second half of 2023.

In the UK, 2,030 were surveyed and 10 out of 12 regions report higher hiring intentions than the previous quarter.

2.

…but the global talent shortage reaches
**a 17 year high*.**

The optimism around headcount growth is challenged, however. Nearly 4 in 5 employers report difficulty in finding the talent they need.
*Tracked by MEOS data 2010-2023.

Which disciplines are most in demand?
Employers in the UK report that the top 5 most in-demand disciplines are Communication Services, IT, Energy & Utilities, Financials & Real Estate, and Consumer Goods & Services.

What skills are most in demand?
Critical Thinking & Analysis, Leadership & Social Influence, Initiative Taking, Resilience & Adaptability, and Accountability & Reliability are the top 5 in-demand soft skills.

3.

We must invest in existing talent

The instinct to find new people to fill the skills gaps can cause businesses to overlook a more effective method of ensuring growth and success.

ManpowerGroup’s latest Talent Shortage Report reveals that upskilling and reskilling existing staff has become the number one priority for employers when addressing the skills gap.

Despite economic pressure, hiring outlooks remain positive, and employers across every industry continue to look for in- demand roles. At the same time, tight labour markets mean many face challenges in finding people who have the soft and technical skills they need. Investment in upskilling, reskilling, and a focus on preparing people for tomorrow’s jobs has never been more important and should be at the top of every business leader's agenda”

Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO

4.

Rehumanise, don’t dehumanise

We must acknowledge just how much technology and innovation have improved the world of work, but it’s no longer accurate to think of “human vs. automation.”

Organisations need to use the power of technology to rehumanise, not dehumanise the workplace.

A recent ManpowerGroup consumer study discovered:

The most common type of training and tools provided by employers is in technical skills. Despite this, workers say productivity is not the most important element needed to perform their job well.
A higher percentage of workers think that the ability to collaborate (83%), solve problems (82%) and be trustworthy (82%) are more important in doing their job well than simply being a high producer (76%).
Employers agree that trustworthiness is among the top important characteristics (40%), followed by flexibility (31%) and reliability (31%).

Find out more

5.

Borderless recruitment is no longer an exception for specialist skills

In a constant quest to attract the best IT skills, organisations must adapt to maintain a competitive advantage.

A Gartner survey finds that 58% of organisations employ borderless technology talent.

Experis is breaking down the traditional restraints of the workplace through the creation of a centralised global talent pool. In 2022 alone, Experis Cross Border Solutions placed over 100 candidates from 39 countries to plug skills gaps.

Business and IT leaders hire borderless staff where they have the biggest competitive advantage – what we call the borderless zone.

Gartner, 2022

Explore how employers can speed up their transformation and tap into new talent in our latest report.

Find out more

6.

94% of companies lack the talent to implement ESG Goals

A ManpowerGroup report revealed that 8/10 organisations have shaped their ESG goals but lack the talent to drive progress.

With more focus than ever on progress over pledges, organisations must move beyond target-setting to accelerate meaningful advances against environmental action, social impact, and good governance.

7.

86% of companies are measuring gender parity on some level

The business case has never been clearer: organisations with more women in leadership roles perform better. A report by McKinsey & Company found that companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability.

Some think the problem has been solved. The data tells us it hasn’t.

The first step is capturing data. Whether investigating pay equity or targeting an increase in the number of women or diverse employees in leadership, organisations are starting to see that commitments must be tracked and backed up with data.

Find out more