The job market will continue to be strong for the latter part of 2022, research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half indicates.
According to the company's State of Canadian Hiring Survey of more than 575 managers, 40 per cent of respondents anticipate adding new permanent positions during the second half of the year; 50 per cent expect to fill vacated positions, and only 10 per cent foresee hiring freezes or layoffs.
Contract professionals
Robert Half’s research reveals that 45 per cent of managers across several industries plan to bring in more contract professionals by year-end, particularly in marketing and creative (63 per cent), legal (53 per cent), and finance and accounting (51 per cent). In addition, 73 per cent of employers intend to hire more entry-level or early-career professionals.
"Despite talk of a potential economic slowdown in Canada, skilled professionals remain in high demand with many companies planning to hire during the second half of the year," said Deborah Bottineau, district director, Robert Half Canada. "In addition to hiring for critical full-time functions, employers are relying on contract talent to stay agile in an ever-changing hiring landscape."
Recruitment challenges
The study also found that 89 per cent of managers are finding it challenging to find skilled professionals, primarily due to a lack of qualified talent (40 per cent), and candidates' salary expectations being higher than what their company is willing to offer (22 per cent).
Employers are using a range of recruiting tactics to win over skilled workers: 42 per cent are increasing starting salaries; 34 per cent are offering remote options; 31 per cent are providing signing bonuses; 31 per cent are loosening education, skills or experience requirements and 30 per cent are evaluating candidates outside of their company's geography and allowing new hires to live anywhere, the study says.
