50% of jobless looking overseas

Nearly half of jobseekers are looking for work overseas, with 10% feeling they have no choice and 37% having already done so, according to a survey.

The study, from leading recruitment agency CPL Resources, also found that 20% of existing employees expect to receive a pay rise, as standard practice, this year; while 25% feel there is room to negotiate a salary increase with their boss.

CPL’s findings also noted that nearly two-thirds of jobseekers believe that employers prefer to hire someone who is already in employment, rather than someone who is out of work.

“Our research shows that the experience is very different for individual jobseekers,” said Peter Cosgrove, director at CPL.

“Those with the right qualifications, skills, and experience are in high demand. Others are struggling with a feeling of unemployability.”

Meanwhile, the latest Irish Employment Monitor, from recruitment consultancy Morgan McKinley, shows there was a 22% drop in professional job vacancies in December when compared to November, with the month showing a 1% year-on-year decline.

Last year, on a whole, however, showed an increase in permanent hiring levels, along with growth in salaries — specifically in the areas of IT, HR, and pharmaceuticals.

“Due to seasonal factors, December is typically a quieter month for job activity and candidate availability. Employers are more budget and decision sensitive in terms of headcount at the end of the year or awaiting confirmation of forecasts and plans in the new year,” said Karen O’Flaherty, chief operations officer at Morgan McKinley.

“Jobseekers, equally, are less active and more risk-averse as the holiday season approaches. This explains why the hiring and jobseeker figures are lower compared to previous months in the year.

“Also, market information identified that more employers are paying year- end bonuses — often paid out in January or early in the first quarter — contributing to the fall in professionals actively seeking new positions,” she added.