This week, we summarized weeks 15 to 19 and took a closer look at the changes in the number of job ads on LinkedIn in the 36 countries we have been observing. It turned out that 7 European countries reacted with a delay compared to the other ones. We also noticed that 8 countries experienced a surprising shift in their tendencies in week 17 (mid-April!). Certain countries have been experiencing a constant decrease since the beginning of our observations and others, well – they just form funny shapes :) We’ve also continued reaching out to CEOs, HR Directors, investors, board members, that we know personally, to take the temperature. Below you’ll find their shortened quotes in no particular order. Pharma: As I am building a new organization, I’m actually hiring. Our industry has not yet been dramatically affected. Computer software: Our company is unfortunately freezing budgets and cutting costs, but it’s relatively OK. There were a couple of difficult moments, but our senior leadership is competent and we managed. And, as a company, we have decided to keep working remotely even after the pandemic! Plastics: Our Russian management has decided to reduce the Polish team by 50%. They might even close the entire office despite exceeding all targets. Medical technology: Our company’s situation is very unstable and we’re laying off. Publishing: We’re going under. Air Fright Delivery: The aviation industry has obviously been heavily affected by the pandemic, but shipping is in a better condition. Energy: Due to our last year’s financial troubles we are in the middle of restructuring at the moment. If you want to discuss your professional situation confidentially or if you considering hiring Career Angels for support, contact Bichl.Sandra@CareerAngels.eu who will personally match you with the most appropriate consultant. For efficiency, add your CV and availability for a Skype call.

1. Market Signals
Summary: Week 15-19

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 9, 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. Number of job ads on LinkedIn
Week 15-19 summary
some job markets reacted later to COVID-19 than others
week 17 brought visible changes
there are countries that experience constant decrease
week 19 allows for cautious optimism
some countries show similar tendencies / "shapes"
For the last 5 weeks we have been observing changes in the number of job ads on
LinkedIn in 36 countries. This allowed us to observe the following:
Note: some job ads might have been taken off LinkedIn not because the recruitment processes were put on
hold, but because they are costly. Companies might have simply wanted to cut costs and moved their job ads
to local portals that often offer substantial discounts.

5. Countries that reacted with an increase in the number of job ads since week 15.
Late reaction

6. Changes in Week 17
Week 17 brought visible changes to certain countries. We suggest analyzing the
above while taking into consideration measures that each country's government
implemented (or not).

7. Constant decrease
These countries experience a constant decrease since week 15.

8. Week 19 increase
Countries that experienced an increase in Week 18/19. This allows for some hope!

9. Similar tendencies
Countries with values that form an M.

10. Similar tendencies
Countries with a V-shape.

11. Similar tendencies
Countries with a U-shape.

12. Selected quotes from CEOs & HR Directors
Pharma: As I am building a new organization, I’m actually hiring. Our industry has not yet been
dramatically affected.
Computer software: Our company is unfortunately freezing budgets and cutting costs, but it’s relatively
OK. There were a couple of difficult moments, but our senior leadership is competent and we
managed. And, as a company, we have decided to keep working remotely even after the pandemic!
Plastics: Our Russian management has decided to reduce the Polish team by 50%. They might even
close the entire office despite exceeding all targets.
Medical technology: Our company’s situation is very unstable and we’re laying off.
Publishing: We’re going under.
Automotive manufacturing: We are OK.

13. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 13 to 19

14. Number of published job ads on LinkedIn
Weeks 15 to 19

15. Number of job ads on LinkedIn
Week 15-19 summary
all of them with the exception of SEE and Western Europe have an upward trend
Southern Europe (except ES) and Western Europe (except DE, BE) are similar
Baltics is the only region where ALL countries see an upward trend
countries belonging to: Northern Europe & Visegrad are completely inconsistent
For the last 5 weeks we have also been observing changes in the number of job ads
on LinkedIn in 8 European regions such as Visegrad Group, Baltics, Northern Europe,
Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Western Europe, DACH and BENELUX:
Note: some job ads might have been taken off LinkedIn not because the recruitment processes were put on
hold, but because they are costly. Companies might have simply wanted to cut costs and moved their job ads
to local portals that often offer substantial discounts.

16. Europe: comparison of regions

17. Visegrad Group

18. Baltics

19. Northern Europe

20. Southern Europe

21. Selected quotes from CEOs & HR Directors, part 2
Air Fright Delivery: The aviation industry has obviously been heavily affected by the
pandemic, but shipping is in a better condition.
Energy: Due to our last year’s financial troubles we are in the middle of restructuring at the
moment.
Logistics: As the clients’ behavior has drastically changed globally and the consumption is
decreasing we are sure that the crisis will hit us but no lay-offs at the moment. We’re even
hiring. The whole situation is probably going to speed up the development of our industry –
especially safe home delivery.
Banking: No lay-offs, but all recruitment processes have been canceled or put on hold. No
new ones are planned.

22. Southeastern Europe

23. Western Europe

24. DACH

25. BENELUX

26. 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
no lay-offs, but lots of frozen / canceled recruitment processes
Here are some solutions that corporations have implemented to aliviate / 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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