Jobsdb Q2 2011 Hiring Index: Rights Reserved

JobsDB Q2 2011 Hiring Index
Research Consultant
JobsDB Q2 2010 Hiring Index COPYRIGHT@2010, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Introduction This report aims to provide information about the hiring plan and preference of employers, including information related to preference in hiring fresh graduates, in the coming months. The most updated information from 128 corporations in Hong Kong is obtained.
Disclaimer The information provided in this report is for reference only. Whilst JobsDB endeavors to ensure the accuracy of the information in this report, no express or implied warranty is given by JobsDB as to the accuracy of the information. JobsDB shall not be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this report, or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this report or any such material.

COPYRIGHT@2011, JobsDB HK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Scope and Methodology

1. Objective The aim of this survey is to collect information on the hiring intention and preference of employers in Hong Kong. These findings will assist employers in devising their HR policies in the coming months. To keep HR professionals updated with the latest market information, starting from April 2009, JobsDB has been conducting this survey every three months to keep track of the market changes. 2. Survey Coverage The survey covers 128 companies, among which, 54% employ less than 50 staff, 27% employ 50-100 staff, 7% employ 101-200 staff, 9% employ 201-500 staff, and 3% employ more than 500 staff.
Size of participating companies

More than 500 3%
201 - 500 9% 101 - 200 7%
Less than 50 54% 50 - 100 27%

Scope and Methodology (cont.)

3. Data Collection Method The survey was conducted by an online questionnaire. Companies were invited through e-mail to fill in the questionnaire from 11 to 18 July 2011.

1. HR general planning
1.1 Hiring plan in the coming three months Among the respondents, 68% said they will hire staff in the coming three months. This finding is 3% lower than the result in Q1 2011 (71% said they will hire staff) and 2% lower than the result in the same period last year (Q2 2010: 70%). 14% of respondents said they will freeze head count. 2% of respondents will cut head count.
Hiring plan comparison (Quarterly)

80% 70% 60% % of companies 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% We will hire staff We will cut head count We will freeze head count No plan yet
Q2 2010 70% 1% 14% 16%
Q3 2010 63% 2% 14% 22%
Q4 2010 64% 1% 18% 17%
Q1 2011 71% 3% 12% 14%
Q2 2011 68% 2% 14% 16%

1.2 Level of staff to be hired Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, 59% will hire entry level staff, 59% will hire middle level staff and 30% will hire senior level staff. Only 2% of them will hire top level staff.
Hiring plan by level of staff

70%
60%
59%
59%
50%
% of companies
40%
30%
30%
20%
10% 2% 0% Entry level Middle level Senior level Top level

1.3 Job functions of staff to be hired Among respondents who intend to hire staff in the coming three months, 47% will hire Sales staff. This is followed by Clerical / Secretarial / Operations (20%) and Information Technology (14%).
Hiring plan by job functions

50% 45% 40% 36% 35% % of companies 30% 25% 20% 15% 11% 10% 5% 0% Accounting Admin & HR Clerical / Secretarial / Operations Information Technology Management Marketing / Public Relations Sales Others 7% 6% 20% 14% 47%
13%

2. Fresh graduates employment 2.1 Hiring of fresh graduates Nearly three quarters of respondents (73%) said they have not hired fresh graduates this year. Only 27% said they have hired fresh graduates this year. For companies with more than 100 staff, 44% have hired fresh graduates this year. For companies with less than 50 staff, only 20% have hired fresh graduates this year.
Hiring of fresh graduates
Yes 27%
No 73%

2.2 Education level of fresh graduates to be hired

Among respondents who have hired fresh graduates, 71% hired fresh graduates with bachelor degree, while 24% hired fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below. Only 6% of respondents hired fresh graduates with postgraduate degree or above. For companies with more than 100 staff, more than half (55%) of them hired fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below. For companies with less than 50 staff, all of them hired fresh graduates with bachelor degree or above.
Education level of fresh graduates to be hired

Postgraduate degree or above 6%
Non-degree tertiary or below 24%
Bachelor's degree 71%

2.3 Preference for fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below

Among respondents who hired fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below, a quarter of them prefer Higher Diploma graduates and 13% of them prefer Form 7 graduates. 63% of them do not have any preferences between Form 7 graduates, Associated Degree graduates and Higher Diploma graduates.
Preference for fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below
Form 7 graduates 13%
Higher Diploma graduates 25% No preference 63%

2.4 Salary for fresh graduates by education level

The average salary offered for fresh graduates with bachelor degree or above is HK$10,860, while the average salary offered for fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below is HK$8,555. The overall average salary offered is HK$10,169.
2.5 Adjustment of salary for fresh graduates by education level

Among respondents who employ fresh graduates both this year and last year, the average adjustment of salary for fresh graduates with bachelor degree or above is 4.4%, and the average adjustment of salary for fresh graduates from non-degree tertiary or below is 3.6%. The overall average adjustment of salary for fresh graduates is 4.2%.
Average salary offered to fresh graduates by education level

12,000 10,860 Overall average = 10,169 10,000 8,555 8,000 % adjustment
Adjustment of salary offered to fresh graduates by education level

5.0% 4.4% 4.0% Overall adjustment = 4.2% 3.6%
3.0%
HK$
6,000
2.0%
4,000 1.0%
2,000
0 Bachelor degree or above Non-degree tertiary or below
0.0% Bachelor degree or above Non-degree tertiary or below

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2.6 Gap between the expected salary and salary offered for fresh graduates
Among respondents who hired fresh graduates, 53% claimed that the expected salary of fresh graduates is higher than the salary they offered. 35% said the expected salary and offered salary is about the same, and 12% said the expected salary is lower than the salary offered.
Gap between expected salary and salary offered for fresh graduates
The expected salary is about the same as the salary offered 35% The expected salary is higher than the salary offered 53%
The expected salary is lower than the salary offered 12%

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2.7 Effect of minimum wage ordinance on hiring plan of fresh graduates

Regarding the effect of minimum wage ordinance, 65% of respondents said they have no plan to hire fresh graduates even without the minimum wage ordinance. 30% of respondents said they still hire the same number of fresh graduates. Only 5% of respondents claimed that they will hire less fresh graduates due to the implementation of minimum wage ordinance.
Effect of minimum wage ordinance on hiring plan of fresh graduates

We hired less fresh graduates 5%
We still hire the same no. of fresh graduates 30%
We have no plan to hire fresh graduates 65%

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2.8 Fresh graduates employment in previous year (for those who have not hired fresh graduates this year)
Among respondents who have not hired fresh graduates, more than one-third (37%) of them had hired fresh graduates in the previous year.
Hiring of fresh graduates in previous year
Yes 37%
No 63%

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2.9 Reasons for not hiring fresh graduates

For respondents who have not hired fresh graduates, 83% reported that Previous work experience is essential is the main reason for not considering fresh graduates. 6% of them do not consider fresh graduates because Fresh graduates are not competent enough, and another 6% said they had Negative experience in hiring fresh graduates before. Only 4% cited Not cost effective as extra training resources are required as the reason.
Reasons for not hiring fresh graduates

Not cost effective as extra training resources are required 4% Negative experience in hiring fresh graduates before 6%
Fresh graduates are not competent enough 6%
Previous work experience is essential 83%

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2.10 Rating on fresh graduates

For those who hired fresh graduates this year, the average rating on fresh graduates is 6.3 (against a rating scale of 1 10, with 1 being the lowest rating and 10 being the highest rating). The average rating for those who hired fresh graduates in the previous year but not this year is 5.6. The overall rating on fresh graduates is 5.9.
Rating on fresh graduates

7.0 6.3 6.0 Overall rating = 5.9 5.6
5.0
4.0 Rating 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 Hired fresh graduates this year Hired fresh graduates in previous year but not this year

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2.11 Strengths and weaknesses of fresh graduates

Among respondents who have hired fresh graduates in either this year or previous year, the most commonly identified strength of fresh graduates is Eager to learn (65%, vs 4% Not eager to learn). This is followed by Willing to follow instructions (52%, vs 25% Not willing to follow instructions) and Accepting new ideas (48%, vs 0% Stick to old ways). On the other hand, the most commonly identified weakness of fresh graduates is Unable to work independently (58%, vs 7% Able to work independently). This is followed by Unable to think critically (46%, vs 3% Think critically) and Poor communication skills (35%, vs 13% Good communication skills)
Strengths of fresh graduates Eager to learn Willing to follow instructions Accepting new ideas Creative Positive working attitude Team player Good communication skills Responsible Good analytical skills Able to work independently Think critically Others
% of companies 65% 52% 48% 38% 29% 25% 13% 10% 9% 7% 3% 4%
Weaknesses of fresh graduates Unable to work independently Unable to think critically Poor communication skills Poor working attitude Poor analytical skills Irresponsible Not willing to follow instructions Not a team player Not creative Not eager to learn Stick to old ways Others
% of companies 58% 46% 35% 33% 28% 26% 25% 12% 9% 4% 0% 7%

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3. Summary The employment market remains active in the second quarter of 2011, with 68% of employers plan to hire staff. Compared with the first quarter, there is an increase in demand for senior level staff (from 15% in Q1 to 30% in Q2), while the demand for entry level staff is decreased (from 75% in Q1 to 59% in Q2). The survey results show that there is an increase in salary offered to fresh graduates (4.2%), and at the same time less employers plan to hire fresh graduates. Only 27% of employers have hired fresh graduates this year, while 46% of employers in Q2 2010 and 45% in Q1 2011 reported to have intention to hire fresh graduates. At the same time 37% of those employers who have not hired fresh graduates this year are the employers who hired fresh graduates in the previous year. 83% of employers do not hire fresh graduates because previous work experience is essential to fill the vacancies. For those who hired fresh graduates, 53% claimed that the expected salary of fresh graduates is higher than the salary offered. For fresh graduates to compete for a job position, the focus should be on earning work experience instead of a high salary. After they have gained relevant work experience, it will be much easier to get a desirable job. For those who will be graduating in the future, they should seek more internship opportunities in order to gain work experience. Graduates should also work hard on improving their soft skills like communication and critical thinking skills.

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