Record job postings: Short-term recruitment freezes over

In Singapore, job advertisements grew by 22% quarter on quarter.

The Robert Walters Asia Job Index indicates that the total number of advertisements for professional positions in Asia in Q1 2011 remained largely consistent with levels in Q4, up 2% on the previous quarter. The modest quarter on quarter growth is indicative of a slow start to the year as companies reviewed headcount levels following strong hiring in the latter part of 2010 and candidates awaited bonus payments.

However, it is important to note that job advertisement volumes in Asia did increase 29% over the quarter reaching, in March, the highest level recorded since the inception of the Asia Job Index in 2008. This suggests that sentiment remains positive and recruitment advertising growth can be expected across most industries in the months to come.

Year on year growth remained strong, particularly in Japan and China, resulting in a total year on year increase in advertising volumes across Asia of 61%.

In Singapore, recruitment levels increased as a result of the upcoming government election. This followed a decline in Q4 after the aggressive hiring of Q2 and Q3 last year.

Singapore continues to enjoy year on year growth. From Q1 2010 to Q1 2011 the number of advertisements rose by a significant 33%, with areas such as human resources, property management and sales continuing to boost hiring activity. The increasing pressure to be financially compliant has also driven advertising in legal and compliance up by 39% over the quarter.

Human resources also saw job advertisements increase by 18% as companies continued to hire specialist professionals within technical or training and development skills. Consumer spending following bonus payments resulted in a 25% rise in advertising across retail sectors, which in turn fuelled recruitment momentum in the advertising and marketing sectors, with an increase of 34%.