COPYRIGHT@2013, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Q4 2012 Hiring Index
JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Introduction
This report aims to provide information about the hiring plan and preference of employers in the
coming months. A summary of employer opinion on CV screening is also included. All information
is based on the most updated information from 111 corporations in Hong Kong.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this report is for reference only. Whilst JobsDB endeavors to ensure the accuracy of the information in this report, no express
or implied warranty is given by JobsDB as to the accuracy of the information. JobsDB shall not be liable for any damages (including, without limitation,
damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this report, or any material contained
in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this report or any such material.
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JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scope and Methodology
1. Objective The aim of this survey is to collect information on the hiring intention and preference of employers in Hong Kong. These findings will assist employers in devising their HR policies in the coming months. To keep HR professionals updated with the latest market information, starting from April 2009, JobsDB has been conducting this survey every three months to keep track of the market changes. 2. Survey Coverage
The survey covers 111 companies, among which, 61% employ less than 50 staff, 17% employ 50-100 staff, 9% employ 101-200 staff, 7% employ 201-500 staff, and 6% employ more than 500 staff.
less than 50 staff 61%
50-100 staff 17%
101-200 staff 9%
201-500 staff 7%
More than 500 staff 6%
Size of participating companies
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JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scope and Methodology (cont.)
3. Data Collection Method
The survey was conducted by an online questionnaire. Companies were invited through e-mail to fill in the questionnaire from 11 to 19 Dec 2012.
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HR GENERAL PLANNING
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HR general planning 1
1.1 Hiring plan in the coming three months
Among the respondents, 63% said they will hire staff in the coming three months. This finding is same as the result in Q3 2012 and the result in the same period last year (Q4 2011). 14% of respondents said they will freeze head count. 2% of respondents will cut head count.
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Q4 2011 Q1 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2012 Q4 2012
We will hire staff 63% 67% 54% 63% 63%
We will cut head count 4% 1% 6% 2% 2%
We will freeze head count 20% 19% 23% 25% 14%
No plan yet 13% 13% 16% 11% 21%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
% o
f co
mp
anie
s
Hiring plan comparison (Quarterly)
Remarks: Sum of percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding
JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
HR general planning
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1.2 Level of staff to be hired
Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, 42% of them will hire Clerical / Frontline staff, 30% will hire Supervisory / Officers and 34% will hire Middle Management / Non-managerial / Professionals. 10% of them will hire Top / Senior Management.
1
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Clerical / Frontline Staff Supervisory / Officers Middle Management / Non-managerial /
Professionals
Top / Senior Management
42%
30%
34%
10% % o
f co
mp
anie
s
Hiring plan by level of staff
Remark: Multiple answers are allowed and sum of percentages may not equal 100%
JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
HR general planning
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1
1.3 Job functions to be hired
As indicated by respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, it is expected that the job function of Sales, CS & Business Development will generate the highest increase in the number of job positions in 2013 (16.5% of total increase), followed by Engineering (12.9% of total increase) and Hospitality/ F&B (12.1% of total increase). Based on the number of positions in 2012, the overall predicted increase in job positions is 4.8%.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
4.9% 3.9%
1.5%
3.1%
12.9% 12.1%
2.1% 3.1%
8.5%
5.7%
0.5%
4.1%
2.6%
1.3%
16.5%
1.0%
7.5%
9.0%
% o
f p
osi
tio
n in
crea
sed
/ To
tal i
ncr
ease
d
Hiring plan by job function in 2013
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HR general planning
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1
Easier 9%
More difficult 37%
About the same 43%
Did not recruit staff in the same period last year
11%
Do you think it is easier or more difficult to recruit new staff compared with the same period last year?
1.4 Difficulty in recruiting new staff in the coming three months
Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, 43% of them think that it is neither easier nor more difficult to recruit new staff compared with the same period last year, 37% of them think it is more difficult and only 9% of them think it is easier.
JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
HR general planning
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Very concerned 36%
Somewhat concerned 54%
Not concerned 10%
How concerned are you about the possibility of global economic slowdown in the next 12 months?
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1.5 Concern about the possibility of global economic slowdown
Among the respondents, 54% of them said they are somewhat concerned about the global economic slowdown in the next 12 months, 36% of them said they are very concerned and 10% of them are not concerned.
JobsDB Q4 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
HR general planning
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1.6 Concern about the possibility of global economic slowdown – by company size
Among the respondents, companies with 201-500 staff are much more concerned about the global economic slowdown (63% said they are very concerned), while others are somewhat concerned.
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38% 32%
20%
63%
17%
51% 63%
60%
38%
67%
10% 5%
20% 17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
less than 50 staff 50-100 staff 101-200 staff 201-500 staff More than 500 staff
% o
f re
spo
nd
en
ts
How concerned are you about the possibility of global economic slowdown in the next 12 months? - by company size
Not concerned
Somewhat concerned
Very concerned
Remarks: Sum of percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding
HIRING PROCESS
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Hiring Process
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2
2.1 Difficulty level of hiring procedures ( 1 is the least difficult; 4 is the most difficult)
Respondents were asked to rank the difficulty level of different hiring procedures. “Candidate evaluation" (2.7) is regarded as the most difficult hiring procedure, followed by “background and reference checks” (2.6) and “interview” (2.4).
1. Candidate evaluation (2.7)
2. Background and reference check (2.6)
3. Interview (2.4)
4. Screening CV/ cover letter (2.2)
5. Preparing and screening written test (2.1)
6. Preparing job ads (1.5)
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Hiring Process
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2
Yes 2%
No 98%
Do you use any CV screening software?
2.2 CV screening software
Among the respondents, 98% of them do not use CV screening software.
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Hiring Process
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2
2.3 Time for screening CV
On average, respondents spend 6.7 minutes to read each CV during the first round of screening. Companies with less than 50 staff spend the most time reading each CV (7.6 minutes), followed by companies with more than 500 staff (7.3 minutes) and companies with 50-100 staff (6.1 minutes).
less than 50 staff 50-100 staff 101-200 staff 201-500 staff More than 500 staff
What is the average time for reading each CV during the first round of screening?
7.6 mins
Time
6.1 mins
Time
7.3 mins
Time
5.3 mins
Time
2.7 mins
Time
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Hiring Process
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2
2.4 Information to look for when screening CV (1 = the highest priority; 9 = the lowest priority)
Respondents were asked to prioritise the information they look for when screening CV. “Relevant working experience” topped the list, followed by “academic background” and “expected salary”.
Relevant working experience
Expected salary
Availability
Extra-curricular activities
Grammar and organisation of CV
Computer and other skills Academic background
Language skills
Professional qualifications
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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Summary
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Compared with the last quarter, the hiring intention in Q1 2013 is expected to be the same as Q4 2012. The survey results show that 63% of employers intend to hire in Q1 2013, same as the percentage in Q4 2012. Clerical / Frontline staff has the highest demand, with 42% of employers plan to look for staff in this category. Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, it is expected that the job function of Sales, CS & Business Development will generate the highest increase in the number of job positions in 2013 (17.4% of total increase), followed by Engineering (12.2% of total increase) and Hospitality/ F&B (11.5% of total increase). Based on the number of positions in 2012, the overall predicted increase in job positions is 4.8%. 54% of employers said they are somewhat concerned about the global economic slowdown in the next 12 months, 36% of them said they are very concerned and 10% of them are not concerned. Hiring Process Candidate evaluation (2.7) is regarded by employers as the most difficult hiring procedure, followed by background and reference checks (2.6) and interview (2.4).
On average, respondents spend 6.7 minutes to read each CV during the first round of screening. Companies with less than 50 staff spend the most time reading each CV (7.6 minutes), followed by companies with more than 500 staff (7.3 minutes) and companies with 50-100 staff(6.1 minutes).
Respondents were asked to prioritise the information they look for when screening CV. “Relevant working experience” topped the list, followed by “academic background” and “expected salary”.