Is 2021 a candidate’s market?

Published on July 26, 2021 by Becky

At Urban Digital we have noticed a candidate’s market emerging. At the moment, it seems that candidates have their pick of the bunch, that’s if you can entice them away from their current, comfortable company.

In the last 6 months, the tech and digital space are super buoyant with more and more hires being made and jobs created. If you are a candidate with a decent digital and tech background looking for £30-70k you are going to have companies fighting to have you on their team.

Why are we seeing 2021 as a candidate’s market?

After possibly a brief hiatus from hiring with the uncertainties of 2020, or a boom in tech and digital businesses, companies are looking to hire again.

While there are lots of vacancies, candidates aren’t queuing up for roles. We’ve put this down to a few different reasons.

  • Many companies have upped their game when it comes to work life balance, investment in mental health and work perks so they’re retaining their talent
  • Candidates are nervous to join a team remotely
  • Candidates want flexible working options in order to move companies
  • Salaries have not adjusted to the candidate shortage

How to hire in a candidate’s market

When you are a hiring company in a candidates market there are a few things you can do to attract top talent. Here are a few tips from us.

Ask your team

Your team is a great place to start when you are working on making your business attractive to talent in a candidate market. Ask your team why they enjoy working there, what perks they’d like, what could be improved. You can do anonymous forms so people are more likely to be honest.

Consider salary boosts and job title upgrades

If you want to draw a top candidate away from their safe role, you might need to offer a little more in terms of salary or job title.

Make sure your interview process is seamless and timely

If you get a candidate through the door, whether it is virtually or physically, make sure they have a great experience. Consider who is interviewing the candidate, are they welcoming and do they represent the company’s values?

Remember, you don’t always need a Google-style interview process. Those long processes can put candidates off or give them a chance to interview and get hired elsewhere.

Consider attitude over skill set

If you are struggling to hire for a role, consider transferable skills from other sectors. Also, if someone doesn’t quite tick all the boxes, but they have the right attitude and are a good fit, it could be worth a chance.

Extend your search beyond the local area

In 2020 and 2021 we have adapted so well to working remotely. Thanks to new and improved technologies we can meet easily, catch up quickly and even have water cooler moments. Have your hiring manager or recruiter cast the rod a little wider if working remotely is still an option that could work. This will broaden your search hugely.

Win talent in a candidate’s market

In a candidate’s market, the talent has options. Options for different companies, or options to stay in their comfortable and safe role. To make your business stand out, you need to consider how you can attract and retain the best.

Follow our tips to help you to win talent over your competitors.

Contact us to hear how we can help with your hiring needs.



Published on July 26, 2021 by is-2021-a-candidates-market

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At Urban Digital we have noticed a candidate’s market emerging. At the moment, it seems that candidates have their pick of the bunch, that’s if you can entice them away from their current, comfortable company.

In the last 6 months, the tech and digital space are super buoyant with more and more hires being made and jobs created. If you are a candidate with a decent digital and tech background looking for £30-70k you are going to have companies fighting to have you on their team.

Why are we seeing 2021 as a candidate’s market?

After possibly a brief hiatus from hiring with the uncertainties of 2020, or a boom in tech and digital businesses, companies are looking to hire again.

While there are lots of vacancies, candidates aren’t queuing up for roles. We’ve put this down to a few different reasons.

How to hire in a candidate’s market

When you are a hiring company in a candidates market there are a few things you can do to attract top talent. Here are a few tips from us.

Ask your team

Your team is a great place to start when you are working on making your business attractive to talent in a candidate market. Ask your team why they enjoy working there, what perks they’d like, what could be improved. You can do anonymous forms so people are more likely to be honest.

Consider salary boosts and job title upgrades

If you want to draw a top candidate away from their safe role, you might need to offer a little more in terms of salary or job title.

Make sure your interview process is seamless and timely

If you get a candidate through the door, whether it is virtually or physically, make sure they have a great experience. Consider who is interviewing the candidate, are they welcoming and do they represent the company’s values?

Remember, you don’t always need a Google-style interview process. Those long processes can put candidates off or give them a chance to interview and get hired elsewhere.

Consider attitude over skill set

If you are struggling to hire for a role, consider transferable skills from other sectors. Also, if someone doesn’t quite tick all the boxes, but they have the right attitude and are a good fit, it could be worth a chance.

Extend your search beyond the local area

In 2020 and 2021 we have adapted so well to working remotely. Thanks to new and improved technologies we can meet easily, catch up quickly and even have water cooler moments. Have your hiring manager or recruiter cast the rod a little wider if working remotely is still an option that could work. This will broaden your search hugely.

Win talent in a candidate’s market

In a candidate’s market, the talent has options. Options for different companies, or options to stay in their comfortable and safe role. To make your business stand out, you need to consider how you can attract and retain the best.

Follow our tips to help you to win talent over your competitors.

Contact us to hear how we can help with your hiring needs.