Online recruitment services see record demand from candidates

According to the latest Q3 survey from Personnel Today, online recruitment services and jobs sites have seen an average of 18 applications per advertised vacancy. This figure is the highest average application rate seen in almost the last 2 years of activity on record with some sectors seeing even higher interest from online candidates.

The South-east attracted the greatest interest, with some 28 applications per job, with London closely following with an average of 20. Conversely jobs in the South-West and East Anglia received an average of just nine applications, whilst those in Northern Ireland saw just eight per vacancy.

The greater activity in the jobs market could be explained by how the initial phases of economic recovery are already shaping the world of work. Earlier this month People Management reported that research from the CBI had revealed that some 58% decrease in the number of firms operating recruitment freezes, signalling a return to growth in staffing levels as firms regain economic confidence.