Only 35% of organisations in Singapore are currently recruiting

But over 90% of businesses have retained their staff, according to Antal Global Snapshot.

Antal Global Snapshot is a regular global survey of hiring and firing trends across the world.

Singapore showed a large dip in recruitment since September 2010. However, the high percentage of businesses retaining their staff shows that the jobs market in Singapore is rightsizing.

The most active sectors currently hiring are:

Property 60%
Technology - Hardware 54%
Retail 50%
Banking & Financial Services 48%
Media 47%
Shipping, Logistics and Transport 43%
Energy, Oil & Gas, Renewables 43%

Hiring levels in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region are mixed, with the most active markets currently adding headcount being:

Philippines leading on 73%
Hong Kong and India where 70% of firms surveyed are hiring now
Pakistan 67%
Mainland China 66%
Japan 63%
Malaysia 46%
Singapore 35%

Although current recruitment activity is down from last quarter, this is matched by the low percentage of organisations letting staff go so whilst new headcount recruitment activity is down, staff retention is up and less staff turnover equals a more stable market. The calm conditions mean that now is a good time for organisations to plan for the rest of 2011.