• Monster buys into CareerOne
  AP reported Monster, the US based job board, bought 50% of CareerOne. It added, both the Monster and CareerOne brands will continue to operate. SEEK’s initial response.
• Government cuts IT staff
  The government accepted the recommendations of Gershon Report, which suggested, among other things, a 50% reduction in the number of IT contractors. The recruitment industry is skeptical about the government’s ability to achieve the report recommendations. Regardless, recruiters must innovate to survive the downturn. 
   
• Job vacancies continues to plummet
  The demand for skilled workers continue to fall, as OECD predicts a 6% unemployment rate. IT industry unlikely to suffer the same fate as others sectors.

• SMEs hires staff based on ‘looks’
  In a somewhat baffling finding, Gumtree reported 46% of SMEs in the UK hired staff based on ‘looks’.

I’ve been exchanging emails/twitter with Michael Marlatt of Cloud Recruiting fame. Michael generously sent me his latest presentation to share with readers of my blog (Download it here. Warning big file!)

Michael is a big believer in the usefulness of mobile communication tools for recruiting talent. In his presentation, Michael paints a clear picture of why mobile matters, and why it has to be part of any talent recruitment strategy.

Using SMS or other forms of mobile communication for recruitment is in its infancy in Australia, even though we have one of the highest mobile penetration rate in the world.

Michael mentioned that an opportunity to speak in Australia might present itself next year. Watch this space.

• Fastest growing technology companies in Australia
  Home grown success stories, a refreshing break from the daily stories of doom and gloom. Deloitte announced the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Australia. When a company grows by 1302% yearly, something must be right with the recruitment strategy!
• Hiring trends in the advertising industry
  Perhaps, staff attrition have little to do with the state of the economy. Staff turnover in the advertising industry hits a high 30%. Companies are increasingly dependent on freelancers (54% of agencies hired freelancers).
• Property industry - hiring in a downturn to prepare for the upturn
  A small group of companies are bucking the trend and hiring talent in preparation for an upturn. Meanwhile, in the finance sector, argument reckless staff cuts can have adverse effects.
• State of the Australian CIO
  Business savvy CIOs take home hefty paychecks, averaging $236,000. A look at the trends in the Australian tech sector.

A presentation on the Australian Job board landscape. Email me at info@destinationtalent.com.au if you want the presentation slides.

• Australians confident about their job, worry about others.
  The latest research by Roy Morgan found, majority of Australians (70%) think unemployment rate will rise but their own job is safe. Four in Five Australians (80%) who are employed full-time are confident that they will keep their job.
• Skills shortage
  Who still talks about the skills shortage in this climate? Mercer believes that ‘Now’ is the best time to plan for long-term skills shortage companies will face when the good times are back. “Stay away from blanket staff cuts”, is the advice.
• Linkedin & employment law
  Dilachian (Law firm) tackles the problems Linkedin can create between employers and ex-employees.  However, most problems are created not by the social network but shoddy business processes and lack of documentation.

‘” More than technology or law, what complicates decision making in employment law in our repeated experience is shoddy management by businesses, especially ignorance about the employment process and employment contracts and related documentation. “

• Talent is overrated
  Geoff Colvin argues that ‘natural talent’ is a myth.  Meanwhile, Malcolm Gladwell believes that ” we have little control over our own success”

• Mining sector wobbles
  The mighty Australian mining sector is showing signs of being rattled by the current downturn. While there are no mass layoff, employers are cautious and putting recruitment on hold. The key will be China’s GDP growth, which is predicted to continue at 7% (currently it stands at 9%). 

• Sourcing overseas IT professionals
  A contentious issue for a long time. The government finally admits that market forces (mainly employers and industry bodies) should have a greater say in deciding how overseas IT professionals are granted visa to work in Australia. 

• Gender inequality in Australian board rooms
  Yet another bad news on the gender equality front. Women representation in Australian board rooms continues to decline. Women held only 8.3% of board director positions in Australia, a decrease from 8.7% in 2006. Half of ASX 200 have no women board directors.

• FREE
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