Travel recruitment companies say the jobs market is “steady” with positive signs of recovery, particularly for positions in call centres, online travel agencies and specialist tour operators.
The number of jobs advertised by Travel Trade Recruitment in the first quarter of this year compared to the last three months of 2011 has increased by 12%, with the biggest hike in sales and reservations jobs, such as call centre roles.
Andy Cole, managing director, said: “Most of the employers we work with seem to be recruiting and it is steady across the board. There is no doubt that things are not as bad as they were a year ago. It’s certainly optimistic.”
C&M Recruitment sales director Barbara Kolosinska said the jobs market, particularly for sales and business development roles at call centres, online travel agencies, specialist tour operators and cruise lines, was improving although the market remained “candidate-driven”.
“Candidates are not so quick to jump at new jobs. People are still concerned, even though the vacancies are there, because of unrest in the economy.
“But companies are certainly still investing, particularly in roles such as business development managers,” she said.
Gail Kenny, managing director of the Gail Kenny Group, which includes Gail Kenny Recruitment and online specialist Pure Genie, said:
“We have seen a steady flow of business development roles as companies look at ways to increase sales in challenging conditions. There is demand for sales people.”
Despite the lack of growth in mid to top level recruitment, Kenny said there was a noticeable shift in jobs away from traditional companies to online players as companies expand into the mobile and social media sectors.
“This is definitely an area we have seen an increase in demand for sales and marketing managers. There are positive signs but the traditional side is more challenging.”
Marie Moore, managing director of Chisholm & Moore, which specialises in recruitment at executive level, said the market was “extremely busy” for jobs paying salaries of between £40,000 and £80,000.
“There are so many roles out there, but people are reluctant to move,” she said.
HARP wallen managing director Kristina Wallen agreed jobs were “not any easier to fill” in the current climate with many candidates staying in their current roles.
“It’s a myth that there are hundreds of people out there looking for jobs,” she said. Jobs are available particularly at start-up companies and in commerical and digital roles.
She added: “There are odd glimmers of recovery but it’s wise to be realistic. The market is as flat as it’s ever been. Certainly in the first quarter of this year, the very senior roles are not around in abundance.
“We have a reasonable job list at the moment but not at the most senior level. Companies are also trying to promote internally where they can.”