Nuanced optimism in the recruitment market

After two very strong years of growth above 10%, the recruitment market slowed in 2018 to +5.8% compared to 2017.
The professional association Syntec Conseil en Recrutement publishes every month an advanced indicator of executive employment in France: the revenue barometer of its members, the leading French recruitment firms.

Looking at overall activity over a year, this indicator shows a mixed situation at the end of 2018. With growth of +5.8% for the year compared to 2017, the market is still growing very positively, but prospects are softening and concerns are re-emerging.

Only the most solid and dynamic firms can face the market with optimism in a context weakened by tighter economic conditions both in France and at the European and international levels.

The Syntec barometer also measures confidence and satisfaction indices among its members.

Established among recruitment firm leaders, who are the main partners for executive employment across various sectors of the French economy, it is therefore a good indicator of economic activity and prospects.

The activity satisfaction index of the firms stands at 82, fairly similar to the level recorded at the end of 2017 (compared to a baseline index of 100 established in April 2011). It reflects a year-end business dampened by the context of social tensions in France.

The confidence index, for its part, reflects a certain concern among recruitment consultants: at a level of 40, confidence regarding revenue evolution for the next three months is low (baseline index established at 100 in April 2011).

Recruitment market growth recorded by Syntec members over the past seven years:

2012/2011: -15%
2013/2012: -16%
2014/2013: +0.3%
2015/2014: +4.4%
2016/2015: +12.9%
2017/2016: +11.3%
2018/2017: +5.8%