Market Overview
The HR sector in Ireland continues to undergo transformation as it changes to meet the growing needs and expectations of businesses.

The HR interim market picked up significantly during 2006 with HR departments now prepared to invest more money to ensure they have cover or specific help for project work. Whilst there is still a good flow of senior interim candidates the mid-level candidate pool is far smaller due to an increase in the number of permanent opportunities being called to market.

A shortage of high calibre candidates exists across the market and organisations are now beginning to respond to the recruitment challenge by thinking far more creatively about their sourcing strategies. For example, organisations which previously requested specific sector experience when recruiting HR professionals are now starting to reevaluate this view and accept high calibre candidates from more diverse backgrounds.

In addition, organisations are opting to retain a single consultancy to run more structured and targeted recruitment campaigns using a more aggressive sourcing methodology, such as creative press advertising and proactive searching.

Remuneration has become the key factor in securing the highest calibre candidates. A year ago candidates may have been content to make a job move at a broadly similar salary level, now the natural expectation is that a job move will carry an increase in their overall remuneration.

Candidates are also increasingly receiving multiple offers meaning there are significantly more counter offer situations as organisations try to retain key individuals.

In 2007 we anticipate market conditions to remain favourable and for many organisations this will mean new hires. The emphasis will continue to be on bringing in commercially minded professionals who can partner with businesses and drive bottom line growth.

Click here to read the Ireland salary survey.

Robert Walters is a leading international recruitment consultancy, placing high calibre professionals into permanent, contract and temporary positions at all levels of seniority. With a developed network of 27 offices across 14 countries, we work with leading investment banks, multinational corporations, smaller enterprises, business start-ups and the public sector.

Every year we produce a comprehensive Global Salary Survey to provide you with information about salary packages and the latest market trends across an extensive range of market sectors including:

Accounting & Finance • Banking • Human Resources • Information Technology • Legal & Compliance • Sales & Marketing • Secretarial & Support