{"id":2168,"date":"2021-04-01T12:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T11:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=2168"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:15:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:15:14","slug":"april-update-how-is-the-labour-market-doing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2021\/04\/01\/april-update-how-is-the-labour-market-doing\/","title":{"rendered":"April update: how is the labour market doing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

About a month ago we gave an update on how the job market was doing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We recently attended an excellent webinar hosted by Charlie Ball from\u00a0Prospects Luminate<\/a>\u00a0and Rebecca Fielding\u00a0from\u00a0GradConsult<\/a> to hear the latest on the job market and how employers are feeling. As we begin to see the easing of lockdown restrictions \u2013 we\u2019re back with another update. Just what is going on in the labour market and what can we expect to see over the coming months?<\/p>\n

What is happening right now<\/h2>\n

As we have seen throughout the pandemic, the number of job adverts is still at a lower level than normal. However, on 21 March 2021 online job adverts we at 94% of the average in February 2020. Employers are also reporting greater confidence in recruitment. So there are signs that confidence is growing and things are looking better.<\/p>\n

However, this picture is sector dependent. Employer confidence is highest in healthcare, IT and business services. There are lots of opportunities in manufacturing, construction, transport\/logistics, IT and science. Some employers in these sectors are dramatically increasing recruitment numbers. Additionally, there has been a lot of interest in public sector jobs, including teaching, which are much less impacted by economic issues. If you are interested in teaching check out our recent blog: teacher training \u2013 is it for me?.<\/a><\/p>\n

In contrast, employers and vacancies in hospitality, finance and insurance and the arts among others are much less confident. Staff in some of these sectors are still on furlough and recruitment in these areas is unlikely to pick up until we see a greater opening up of the economy.<\/p>\n

Pent up demand<\/h2>\n

As we look forward to the easing of restrictions and a return to a greater degree of normality over the coming months there is some indication that there may be a greater increase in vacancies. There are some predictions that this summer\u2019s graduate recruitment round could be exceptionally busy.<\/p>\n

Small and Medium Size Employers (SMEs) in particular are expected to have a large recruitment demand over the summer and into the autumn as confidence increases.<\/p>\n

If you are on the hunt for a graduate job, keep positive, there are likely to be more opportunities on the horizon.<\/p>\n

Immediate start<\/h2>\n

Employers also report that they are interested in more agile recruitment that is focused on filling immediate needs. Normally for graduate jobs we are used to a lot of recruitment happening in the autumn for jobs that start in the following summer\/autumn. Whether this is a trend that is here to stay or not \u2013 it is too early to tell. But for now, if you are in our final year and looking for graduate jobs, it\u2019s worth bearing in mind that more positions may be advertised with very immediate start dates.<\/p>\n

Employers are also reporting that they are likely to continue to use virtual assessment centres over the next year. Again, we don\u2019t know if this is a permanent change but it is worth ensuring you are confident with a virtual interview and assessment environment. Check out MyFuture for some top tips<\/a><\/p>\n

Work experience<\/h2>\n

There has been a noticeable dip in the number of placements, internships and part-time work opportunities. Employers are well aware of this and are already looking at what they can do to support recruits over the next few years who may have less experience.<\/p>\n

If you are on the look out for work experience, you may need to think outside the box and work a bit harder to gain experience. Consider virtual experiences, or shorter project-based opportunities. Take a look at our work experience guide to find out more about different options<\/a><\/p>\n

Remote working<\/h2>\n

With the return to normality thoughts are turning to what the future of work looks like. Many employers are now stating their plans for changing to hybrid working models or making clear their plans to return to the office.<\/p>\n

This change to virtual working means that some skills will take on a new value to employers.\u00a0Skills such as remote collaboration,\u00a0time\u00a0management\u00a0and\u00a0online\u00a0communication,\u00a0and\u00a0an\u00a0understanding of\u00a0how virtual communication platforms work,\u00a0will be vital.\u00a0Depending on how the roadmap pans out, you may end up starting a job virtually full-time or when things return to normal, you might not be working at your workplace five days a week.<\/p>\n

Whether you are\u00a0currently studying\u00a0or on placement,\u00a0you have probably\u00a0acquired\u00a0some of the skills that will be needed for this new environment. Start thinking about how you\u00a0can give evidence of them in applications and interviews.\u00a0Employer's attitudes to virtual working might also be something you want to research. Some companies have already made their stance on the subject clear, which might help inform whether they sound like somewhere you want to work.<\/p>\n

We have some blogs\u00a0that cover this topic\u00a0in more detail:<\/p>\n