q2 2012 hiring index - jobsdb · 2012. 8. 20. · jobsdb q2 2012 hiring index 8 copyright@2012,...

Q2 2012 Hiring Index

0 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 preference in hiring fresh graduates is also

included. All information is based on the most updated information from 124 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.

1 JobsDB Q2 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Scope and Methodology

2

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 124 companies, among which, 59% employ less than 50 staff, 14% employ 50-100 staff, 8% employ 101-200 staff, 14% employ 201-500 staff, and 5% employ more than 500 staff.

less than 50 staff 59%

50-100 staff 14%

101-200 staff 8%

201-500 staff 14%

More than 500 staff 5%

Size of participating companies

JobsDB Q2 2012 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2012, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Scope and Methodology (cont.)

3

3. Data Collection Method

The survey was conducted by an online questionnaire. Companies were invited through e-mail to fill in the questionnaire from 23 - 31 July 2012.


HR GENERAL PLANNING

4

HR general planning

5

1

1.1 Hiring plan in the coming three months

Among the respondents, 54% said they will hire staff in the coming three months. This finding is 13% lower than the result in Q1 2012 (67% said they will hire staff) and 14% lower than the result in the same period last year (Q2 2011: 68%). 23% of respondents said they will freeze head count. 6% of respondents will cut head count.

Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 Q1 2012 Q2 2012

We will hire staff 68% 56% 63% 67% 54%

We will cut head count 2% 1% 4% 1% 6%

We will freeze head count 14% 26% 20% 19% 23%

No plan yet 16% 17% 13% 13% 16%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

% o

f co

mp

anie

s

Hiring plan comparison (Quarterly)

We will hire staff

We will cut head count

We will freeze head count

No plan yet


HR general planning

6

1.2 Level of staff to be hired

Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, 66% of them will hire Clerical / Frontline staff, 39% will hire Supervisory / Officers and 49% will hire Middle Management / Non-managerial / Professionals. 10% of them will hire Top / Senior Management.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Clerical / Frontline Staff Supervisory / Officers Middle Management / Non-managerial / Professionals

Top / Senior Management

66%

39%

49%

10%

% o

f co

mp

anie

s

Hiring plan by level of staff

1


PREFERENCE IN HIRING FRESH GRADUATES

7

Fresh university graduates


2.1

2.1.1 Hiring fresh university graduates in the coming three months

Among all respondents, 37% of them will hire fresh university graduates in the coming three months, while 63% of respondents will not hire university graduates.

Yes 37%

No 63%

In the coming three months, will you hire fresh university graduates?



0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Banking / Finance

Hospitality / F & B

Merchandising & Purchasing

Design

Engineering

Marketing / Public Relations

Accounting

Admin & HR

Sales, CS & Business Devpt

Information Technology (IT)

7%

7%

7%

13%

13%

13%

20%

22%

30%

30%

Which job function will you hire for fresh university graduates? (Top 10)

2.1.2 Job function for fresh university graduates

Among respondents who will hire fresh university graduates in the coming three months, Information technology and Sales, CS & Business Development are the top job functions that have vacancies for fresh university graduates (both 30%), followed by Admin & HR (22%) and Accounting (20%).

2.1



2.1.3 Hiring fresh university graduates in the last 12 months

Among all respondents, 42% of them hired fresh university graduates in the last 12 months, while 58% of respondents did not hire fresh graduates.

Yes 42%

No 58%

Have you hired fresh university graduates in the last 12 months?

2.1



2.1.4 Reasons for hiring fresh university graduates

Among respondents who hired fresh university graduates in the last 12 months, the most common reason for them to hire fresh university graduates is “Willing to follow instructions” (48%), followed by “Having lower expectation on salary” (46%) and “More Creative” and “Able to handle more challenge” (both 25%).

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Willing to follow instructions

Having lower expectation on

salary

More Creative Able to handle more challenge

Able to work independently

Teamwork skills Others

48% 46%

25% 25%

15% 13% 13%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Reasons for hiring fresh university graduates

2.1



2.1.5 Reasons for not hiring fresh university graduates

Among respondents who did not hire fresh university graduates in the last 12 months, the most common reason for not hiring fresh university graduates is “No vacancies suitable for fresh graduates” (64%), followed by “Lack of experience” (58%) and “Not stable” (29%).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

No vacancies suitable for

fresh graduates

Lack of experience

Not stable Unable to face difficulties with a positive mind

Unable to work independently

Having too high

expectation on salary

Lack of teamwork

skills

Others

64%

58%

29% 26%

24% 22%

4% 6%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Reasons for not hiring fresh university graduates

2.1



2.1.6 Gaps between the overall expected salary of fresh graduates and the salary offered

Among respondents who hired fresh university graduates in the last 12 months, 63% of them said the overall expected salary of fresh graduates is about the same as the salary offered, while 37% of them said the overall expected salary is higher than the salary offered.

2.1

Are there any gaps between the overall expected salary of fresh graduates and the salary you offered?

63% No, the expected salary is about the same as the salary offered

Expected (E)

Actual (A)

Yes, the expected salary is higher than the salary offered

37%

E

A



2.1.7 Average difference between the expected salary and the salary offered

On average, among respondents who said the overall expected salary is higher than salary offered, the overall expected salary for fresh university graduates is 11% higher than the salary offered.

Expected salary Salary offered

On average, the overall expected salary for fresh university graduates is 11% higher

than the salary offered.

11%

2.1

VS

15%

5%

10%

9%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

less than 50 50-100 101-200 201-500

Ave

rage

dif

fere

nce

(%

)

Average difference between the expected salary and the salary offered – by company size



2.1

2.1.8 Average difference between the expected salary and the salary offered – by company size

On average, among respondents who said the overall expected salary is higher than the salary offered, the overall expected salary for fresh university graduates is 15% higher than the salary offered for companies employing less than 50 staff, which is the highest percentage when compared by company size.

Fresh A-level / DSE graduates


2.2.1 Hiring fresh A-level/DSE graduates in the coming three months

Among all respondents, 22% of them will hire fresh A-level/DSE graduates in the coming three months, while 78% of respondents will not.

Yes 22%

No 78%

In the coming three months, will you hire fresh A-level/DSE graduates?

2.2



2.2.2 Preference in hiring A-level or DSE graduates

Among respondents who will hire A-level/DSE graduates in the coming three months, 89% of them consider hiring A-level or DSE graduates, while 11% of them prefer A-level graduates.

2.2

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Do not have any preference Yes, we prefer A-level graduates.

89%

11% % o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Do you have any preference in hiring A-level graduates or DSE graduates?



2.2.3 Starting salary for A-level and DSE graduates

Among respondents who will hire A-level/DSE graduates in the coming three months, 81% of them will offer same starting salary for A-level and DSE graduates, while 19% of them tend to offer higher salary for A-level graduates.

2.2

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Yes, we offer the same starting salary. No, we tend to offer higher salary for A-level graduates.

81%

19%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Will you offer the same starting salary for A-level graduates and DSE graduates?

Fresh Mainland graduates


Yes 18%

No 82%

In the past 12 months, have you hired any Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong?

2.3.1 Hiring fresh Mainland graduates in the last 12 months

Among all respondents, 18% of them hired fresh Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong in the last 12 months, while 82% of them did not.

2.3



0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

We have business in the Mainland

Familiar with the business

environment in the Mainland

Fluent Putonghua Stable Have relevant qualification

Others

45%

32%

27% 27%

18%

5%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Reasons for hiring Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong

2.3.2 Reasons for hiring Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong

Among respondents who hired Mainland graduates in the last 12 months, the most common reason for them to hire Mainland graduates is “We have business in the Mainland” (45%), followed by “Familiar with the business environment in the Mainland” (32%) and “Fluent Putonghua” and “Stable” (both 27%).

2.3



2.3.3 Reasons for not hiring Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong

Among respondents who did not hire Mainland graduates in the last 12 months, the most common reason for not hiring Mainland graduates is “Did not receive applications from Mainland students” (41%), followed by “Not stable” (22%) and “Difficult to communicate” (19%).

2.3

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Did not receive applications from

Mainland students

Not stable Difficult to communicate

Lack of global vision No suitable vacancy Others

40%

22%

19%

13% 13%

17%

% o

f re

spo

nd

en

ts

Reason for not hiring Mainland graduates

HIRING FRESH GRADUATES

22

Hiring fresh graduates


3.1 Top qualities looking for in fresh graduates

Among all respondents, the top qualities they look for is “Positive working attitude” (77%), followed by “Willing to learn” (75%) and “Responsible” (67%).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Positive working attitude

Willing to learn Responsible Good communication

skills

Independent Good analytical skills

Good teamwork skills

Creativity

77% 75%

67%

31%

15% 15% 14%

5%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

What are the top three qualities you look for in fresh graduates?

3.1



3.2 Dealing with fresh graduates

When respondents are asked to choose the experience they had when dealing with fresh graduates, 32% of respondents choose “Unable to demonstrate adequate company knowledge during interview” (32%), followed by “Unable to adapt to the working environment” (28%) and “Bad attitude during interview” (26%).

3.2

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Unable to demonstrate

adequate company

knowledge during

interview

Unable to adapt to the

working environment

Bad attitude during

interview

Inappropriate interview

dress code

Resign without notification

Accompanied by parents

when attending interview

No show for interview

Do not have any special experience

We have not hired any fresh

graduates before

Others

32%

28% 26%

23%

20%

6%

2%

14%

17%

6% % o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Did you experience any of the following when dealing with fresh graduates?



3.3

3.3 Common mistakes made by fresh graduates when applying jobs

Among all respondents, the most common mistakes made by fresh graduates when applying jobs is “Cover letter/ resume is not well organized” (40%), followed by “Forgot to specify the position they apply for” (33%) and “Grammatical mistakes in cover letter/ resume” (30%).

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Cover letter/ resume is not well organized

Forgot to specify the postion they

apply for

Grammatical mistakes in cover

letter/ resume

Incorrect name of

company/contact person/position in cover letter/

resume

Forgot to attach cover letter/

resume in their email

Inappropriate format of cover letter/ resume

Spoken lanugauge found in cover letter/

resume

They don't have any common

mistakes

Others

40%

33%

30% 29%

19% 19%

11%

20%

2%

% o

f re

spo

nd

ents

What is/ are the common mistake(s) made by fresh graduates when applying jobs?

Summary


4 Compared with the last quarter, the hiring intention is expected to drop significantly in Q3 2012. The survey results show that 54% of employers intend to hire in Q3 2012, down from 67% in Q2 2012. Clerical / Frontline staff has the highest demand, with 66% of employers plan to look for staff in this category. 37% of employers will hire fresh university graduates in the coming three months. Information technology and Sales, CS & Business Development are the top job functions that have vacancies for fresh university graduates (both 30%), followed by Admin & HR (22%) and Accounting (20%). The most common reason for employers to hire fresh university graduates is “Willing to follow instructions” (48%), followed by “Having lower expectation on salary” (46%) and “More Creative” and “Able to handle more challenge” (both 25%). The most common reason for not hiring fresh university graduates is “No vacancies suitable for fresh graduates” (64%), followed by “Lack of experience” (58%) and “Not stable” (29%). 63% of employers said the overall expected salary of fresh graduates and the salary offered is about the same, while 37% of them said the overall expected salary is higher than the salary offered. Among respondents who said the overall expected salary is higher than the salary offered, the overall expected salary is 11% higher than the salary offered. And for companies that employ less than 50 staff, the expected salary for fresh university graduates is 15% higher than the salary offered on average, which is the highest percentage when compared by company size. 22% of employers will hire fresh A-level/DSE graduates in the coming three months. 89% of employers do not have any preference in hiring A-level or DSE graduates, while 11% of them prefer A-level graduates. 81% of employers offer same starting salary for A-level and DSE graduates, while 19% of them tend to offer higher salary for A-level graduates. 18% of employers hired fresh Mainland graduates studying in Hong Kong in the last 12 months. The most common reason for employers to hire Mainland graduates is “We have business in the Mainland” (45%), followed by “Familiar with the business environment in the Mainland” (32%) and “ Fluent Putonghua” and “Stable” (both 27%). And the most common reason for not hiring Mainland graduates is “Did not receive applications from Mainland students” (40%), followed by “Not stable” (22%) and “Difficult to communicate” (19%).

Summary


4

The top qualities employers look for in fresh graduates are “Positive working attitude” (77%), followed by “Willing to learn” (75%) and “Responsible” (67%).

When respondents are asked to choose the experience they had when dealing with fresh graduates, 32% of them choose “Unable to demonstrate adequate company knowledge during interview” , followed by “Unable to adapt to the working environment” (28%) and “Bad attitude during interview” (26%).

The most common mistakes made by fresh graduates when applying jobs is “Cover letter/ resume is not well organized” (40%), followed by “Forgot to specify the position they apply for” (33%) and “Grammatical mistakes in cover letter/ resume” (30%).

q2 2012 hiring index - jobsdb · 2012. 8. 20. · jobsdb q2 2012 hiring index 8 copyright@2012,...

Documents