The document reports on signals from the job market based on data from over 5000 executive search companies and almost 20,000 decision makers located primarily in Europe. It finds that while some countries and sectors have seen decreases in published job ads on LinkedIn, recruitment processes are still ongoing through online formats. Recommendations include continuing job searches, preparing for online interviews, and considering interim roles which some executive search companies report increasing demand for.

1. Market Signals
Full Report - Week 20

2. The type of clouds (cirrus, stratus, cumulus, nimbus), their size, location, direction and
speed of movement can give an indication as to what the weather has in store
over the coming two days: storm, sun, snow, ice or rain. In other words, dreamy, thin,
wispy clouds bring something different than fluffy, cotton wool style clouds.
The art of interpreting signals (precursors of trends) is - and always has been -
important in navigating financial markets and economies. If you are an
experienced manager or executive who wants to manage their career and/or job
search processes wisely, look at the signals of the job market which are
inseparably embedded in the VUCA landscape of today's world.
Check in on Saturdays afternoon for the newest release on LinkedIn:
http://LinkedIn.com/company/Career-Angels/
Prepared by the entire team of www.CareerAngels.eu
Published: May 16, 2020

3. Because of how we work when supporting our clients, we have a very unique
“glimpse” into how over 5000 Executive Search companies and almost 20 000
decision makers react – the majority of them being located in Europe; and we
collect and analyze how they respond; and we observe if and what kind of
trends there are to leverage our clients into better career management &
more effective job search methods.
Before there are trends, there are signals which we usually keep to ourselves.
But these are not usual times, so we decided to share those signals by the end of
each week. If the country / context is important, we’ll add them. Otherwise, we’ll
keep it general for confidentiality.
Source of signals

4. Note: some job ads might have been taken off LinkedIn, not because the recruitment process was put on hold or canceled, but because they are costly,
especially if you have dozens of them. A company might have wanted to simply cut costs and move to more cost effective alternatives. Some local job
portals are offering substantial discounts. These are the initial 18 countries that we tracked.
Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 13 to 20

5. Note: some job ads might have been taken off LinkedIn, not because the recruitment process was put on hold or canceled, but because they are costly,
especially if you have dozens of them. A company might have wanted to simply cut costs and move to more cost effective alternatives. Some local job
portals are offering substantial discounts. These are the initial 18 countries that we tracked.
Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 13 to 20 - sorted

6. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 15 vs 20 - extended to 36 countries

7. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 15 vs 20 - extended to 36 countries - part 2

8. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 15 vs 20 - extended to 36 countries - sorted

9. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 15 vs 20 - extended to 36 countries - sorted part 2

10. Observations & best practices
there are companies that lower job grades of positions they're recruiting for
job search conducted through networking and direct application is still very effective
despite the circumstances
candidates decide to put their job search on hold due to the current situation
certain companies will probably give up physical offices and continue working
remotely even after the pandemic
Here are some insights from candidates taking part in current recruitment processes:
Recruitment and Executive Search companies:
Recruitment agencies are working online and assure that recruitment processes are still
continuing. Though, more candidates than usual express a lack of interest in roles when
approached; they refuse to engage. If somebody has a job, they don't think about
changing. Recruiters also complain about candidates not being fit for online interviews.

11. Visegrad Group
Baltics
Number of published job ads on LinkedIn by region

12. Northern Europe
Southern Europe

13. Iberia
SEE

14. Observations & best practices
pay out bonuses irrespectively of whether the targets were achieved
provide with free psychological support / access to therapists
care packages with face masks and disinfectants
courses / onboarding moved online
increase of salary to show appreciation for hard-working employees
Here are some solutions that corporations have implemented to alleviate / deal with
COVID-19 consequences:
Recruitment and Executive Search companies:
To quote a CEO of a recruitment agency, “As to candidates: if they are employed
they refuse to participate in processes; if they aren't, they shower us with their CVs.”

15. Western Europe

16. DACH
BENELUX

17. The European Union

18. Observations & best practices
offer outplacement services
preparing for the re-opening of the offices (home office rotation, safety & health
procedures, limiting number of people in a room depending on surface)
lay-off scenarios depending on "how bad it will be" (lists of employees "next in line"
for lay-offs) and execution of restructuring processes
Here are some solutions that corporations have implemented to alleviate / deal with
COVID-19 consequences:
Recruitment and Executive Search companies:
April was for some better than March. Some say they are getting ready for confidential
replacement searches to be started towards the end of May / beginning of June to
make sure the best qualified CEOs and board members lead their companies through
the next months. Interim recruitment sees more activitiy, but complain about
unprepared candidates and/or lacking the right capabilities.

19. Keep engaging in recruitment processes. You don’t know if your job is indeed
safe. It’s always better to be able to choose from a couple of options while
you have a job rather than wake up with no job and have no options at all.
If you have restructuring / change management / interim experience, prepare
your project or business cases list.
Prepare and practice interviewing online!
Work on your branding: on paper (CV), online (LinkedIn) and orally (strategic
interviewing). Charisma alone will not get you shortlisted against hundreds of
candidates; especially now that companies will look for low-risk candidates
who can demonstrate very specific skill sets and leadership competencies.
Our recommendations for senior candidates

20. If you are a senior candidate who
might need support / guidance:
You can access the following services completely confidentially and
free of charge:
- CV Report
- Career Consultation
Email Bichl.Sandra@CareerAngels.eu who will personally match you
with the most relevant Career Consultant. To save time: add your CV
and availability for a Skype call.

21. If you want to support your
(future) former employees:
Request an offer for outplacement services by email:
- in Polish: Anna.Zadrozna@CareerAngels.eu
- in English / German: Sandra.Bichl@CareerAngels.eu
For further information visit: www.ManagerialPlacement.eu