Predictions for 2025 🔮

We made it! It’s the last week of work and anyone who’s been on the tools this week knows; I use ‘work’ very loosely. Everyone’s basically just setting up meetings for when we return and for the lucky ones, that’s the 13th. I can’t imagine any of those catch-ups will even take place the week starting the 6th as absolutely no one will be in a rush to get back to the office. Forward planning is essential as we all want to end the year strong. But, what does the next year have installed for us? I peer into my magic ball and hazard a guess.

Temp/contract market to go bang – The recruitment industry is drip-down. We’re busy when our clients are busy. Think of rec-to-rec as the littlest Russian doll, Once my client's clients are busy then I get busy. Likewise, the attrition seen in our industry can be seen all over the country. Headcount is down so, when work does get released there will be a demand for bums on seats. The preference will certainly be for a workforce that is paid by the hour.

The RCSA to show its teeth – In another case of a treaty being misrepresented. The AOG contract has turned into a quagmire of loopholes and deception. While a recruitment hikoi culminating in a unified representation on the steps of the beehive would be a great sight, the fight is better fought by those in power. I can see a case being put forward by our leaders next year that should hopefully right the wrongs and show how shortsighted the current legislation promises to be.

Talks around AI will finally relax – Artificial intelligence is a somewhat hyperbolic term for a chatbot or an ad writer. I think this is our times Y2K, people in twenty years time will look back with a smirk at what we thought was ‘intelligence’. But it has served a purpose, not so much the automation of a process, it’s given countless seminars a hot-button talking point. It’s become a little contrived in my opinion. There’s the predictable build-up of fear-mongering with the inevitable conclusion; it’s a tool to aid us. Bore off!

The return of consistency – This might be more wishful thinking as we all have a horse in this race but we need to push that balance towards two busy months in a quarter and not just the one. This is largely out of our control, but we’ve been promised thriving in 25 so I’m here for it. We should also see some consistency in headcount. We’ve had a full year of redundancies, surely the waves have to stop, and the structures remain firm in the New Year.

More options – This is will be the case for everyone, recruiters, candidates, clients, and agencies. Some senior recruiters who put a target on their back with generous bases have found themselves out of the job. It’s not impossible to think that those with the experience and gumption will open a shop for themselves. Once agencies get ticking there’s going to be a plethora of options for consultants who have finally found the ball in their court. Our clients will have a swath of options too so hopefully you’ve been keeping in touch with them in the downtime.

There’s an air of optimism currently and rightfully so! It’s been hard to put your finger on this year. We don’t have a pandemic or global financial crisis to point to as a reason why things are as slow as they are. It’s inevitable that now and then there’s a tightening of the belt. However, from what I’ve seen in the way of briefs and activity closing out this year, it stands to reason that the year of the snake will be a transformative time with opportunities for reinvention. At least that’s what Google tells me. Meri Kirihimete! See you all next year! 🎅