We’ve already witnessed a variety of RPO contracts with 2010 start dates, including Kenexa’s with the U.S. Air Force, PeopleScout’s with US Airways and the United States Infrastructure Corporation, and CPH Consulting’s with EEF. And I believe we’ll see an increasing number of RPO contracts announced and kicked-off in 2010, despite the jobless recovery. Why this counter-intuitive expectation? Let’s look at two factors which will contribute to an increase in RPO contract activity this year.
Soon-to-be and 2009 University Graduates
According to research conducted by U.K.-based RPO provider Alexander Mann Solutions, there will be significant competition for fewer jobs among this year’s graduates, only 26 percent of graduates feel confident of finding a position this year, 18 percent of 2009 graduates wound up applying for any job and only 37 percent are limiting their job applications to positions which are in line with their long-term career goals. Further, a full two-thirds of those fortunate enough to be offered jobs said they would accept more than one offer due to skepticism of the job actually coming to fruition until they actually start and are on the payroll. Think about the havoc this economy-driven “apply for any job/many jobs/accept several job offers” rise in quantity of applications and potential loss of selected candidates will wreak on internal recruiting departments already cut to the bone.
I’m Just Happy to Have a Job – Not
RPO provider Adecco Group North America’s annual American Workplace Insights Survey found that just 39 percent of employees feel the economic crisis has caused them to appreciate their jobs more (a steep drop from 55 percent of workers who felt that way a year ago), only 17 percent of employees accept working harder to avoid layoffs, only 19 percent are willing to work longer hours, and 93 percent of workers have less confidence in company leadership since the economic crisis started. Employee satisfaction is clearly on the decline, even worse than when I wrote about it in my September 3, 2009 blog. If companies don’t step-up their hiring activity at least a bit, work quality will suffer and top quartile employees may well jump ship and join another company which has begun hiring and has a strong employee satisfaction brand in the marketplace.
Both these scenarios point to increased RPO contract activity in 2010. In-house recruiting departments may well need assistance in handling the huge influx of incoming job applications, screening and selecting the best talent, and retaining key employees, all while reflecting a positive brand image for both talent attraction and retention purposes.
So despite the jobless recovery, I do expect to see resurgence in RPO activity this year. What do you think?
Gary Bragar, Lead HRO Analyst, NelsonHall
HRO Insights 
Recent Comments