Hiring activity for finance, tech professionals jumps to three-year high

Half of firms in these sectors will add staff in 1H15.

Now is a good time for finance and technology professionals looking for a job shift, as one in every two companies in these sectors plans to increase headcount in the first half of the year.

The latest Singapore Employment Report by recruitment firm Robert Half showed that hiring activity in these sectors climbed to a three-year high in 1H15, as there is a growing number of companies are competing for a limited number of quality professionals.

“Two years ago, the percentage of companies making new hires was closer to a third. Now more than half of companies are increasing headcount," said Stella Tang, Managing Director of Robert Half Singapore.

The biggest turnaround in activity is among companies hiring technology professionals. Two years ago 14% of companies were reducing technology staff while only 26% were hiring.

This year, only 2% of companies are reducing their technology headcount while 50% are adding more manpower to their technology teams.

In the Financial Services sector, employment activity has risen steadily each of the last two years, with companies seeking to fill mid-level and senior positions.

Banks and financial services companies are struggling to recruit the people they want because the demand for skilled professionals is high, and the positions which are vacant require specialised skills.